An Alice in Wonderland Easter at Tatton Park
Prepare to wear your widest Cheshire Cat smile at Tatton Park this Easter as an ‘Alice in Wonderland’ event comes to the historic estate in rural Cheshire East.
From Easter Saturday to Easter Monday (April 23 to 25) Tatton plays host to an enchanting weekend with themed activities taking place across the park.
In the gardens families can follow the quizzical White Rabbit trail to the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party, where a cast of curious characters will riddle and rhyme their way through tea. Visitors can also enjoy the stunning landscaped gardens in their full spring colour.
Step through the looking glass in the mansion to follow the trail through the beautiful state rooms. There is also the opportunity to see the current mansion exhibition which celebrates the centenary of Tatton’s Japanese garden.
‘Off with your head!’ if you fail to make it to the farm where the Queen of Hearts will be making regal jam tarts and children can follow the Cheshire Cat quiz. Spring is in the air at the farm and visitors will be able to see new-born lambs, piglets and newly-hatched chicks and ducklings.
There is magic dust in the stableyard where Mr Bimbamboozle will be dazzling with his Alice-themed puppet show and the White Rabbit may be putting in an appearance for Poz the Magician. Our younger visitors can also enjoy the tea-cup ride for a small charge.
The shops and restaurant will be joining in with Alice-themed fare and displays. There are also many fine products to browse and buy at The Easter Crafts and Country Shopping Fair in the Tenants’ Hall.
There are a number of associations between Cheshire and the Alice stories, in addition to the persistently grinning Cheshire Cat. The author Lewis Carroll was born at Daresbury parsonage near Warrington, where his father was the curate of All Saints’ Church. All Saints’ is celebrated for its delightful stained-glass Lewis Carroll Memorial Window, which features characters from the ‘Alice’ books.
A perhaps lesser known connection between the stories and Tatton is the legend of ‘the romping kitten’. It is said that in the early 19th century a sign painter attempted to reproduce the lion rampant from the Egerton family crest for an inn sign. His efforts caused the lion to look more like a grinning cat than a noble heraldic beast. There are many pubs named the Egerton Arms or Red Lion in the area – some were also nicknamed ‘The Romping Kitten’ because of their painted signs.
Graham Jones, commercial services manager said: “Tatton Park is a fantastic place to bring the family for a day out and there are even more magical reasons to come see us this bank holiday. We hope our visitors will delight in the special Alice theme, which has a real Cheshire flavour!”
An Alice in Wonderland Easter at Tatton Park Saturday, April 23 to Monday, April 25 2011
Times:
Parkland is open 10am-7pm (last entry 6pm).
Mansion is open 1pm-5pm (last entry 4pm).
Gardens are open 10am-6pm (last entry 5pm).
Farm is open 12pm-5pm (last entry 4pm).
Stableyard activities from 12pm-5pm.
Prices:
Single attraction entry: adult £5, child £3 (five-15 years), family £13 (two adults and up to three children). Totally Tatton tickets (entry to Mansion, Gardens and Farm): adult £8, child £4, family £20.
National Trust members pay 50% entry to the Farm. Park entry charge of £5 per car applies to all visitors.
There are group discounts available for 12 or more people if booked in advance.
Easter Crafts & Country Shopping Fair
10.30am-5pm, Tenants’ Hall. Free entry to the fair. Park entry charge applies of £5 per car.
Please visit our website www.tattonpark.org.uk or call 01625 374400 for opening times and further information.
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