Wentworth Woodhouse is calling out for Alices to launch its Wonderland-themed Christmas experience

Alice in Wentworth Wonderland, a spectacular festive version of Lewis Carroll’s magical story, is coming to Wentworth Woodhouse in Rotherham next month – and a call has gone out to real-life Alices of all ages and nationalities.

From babies to great-grandmas, South Yorkshire people named Alice – or one of the world’s many Alice derivatives – are being sought to make the November 30 VIP launch extra-special. 

From Spanish Alicias and Polish Alicjas to Pakistani and Indian Alishas and Chinese Àilìsīs, everyone who applies will be in with a chance of a free first-viewing of the Preservation Trust’s fun and fantastical festive event, before it opens to the public on December 1. The application form can be found at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScWqzDg81Wo1002drUl3yiYMmmtiTT-5IUxWktnOAjGMLd8vg/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=106970737501232319812 

 One lucky attendee will be chosen to cut the ribbon and then it’s off to the mansion’s Georgian State Rooms to explore the Preservation Trust’s immersive Alice in Wentworth Wonderland experience, which runs until January 3. 

They will step into Wonderland, a magical world where nothing is quite as it seems, to discover the Room of Doors and the Hall of Hearts, follow a Drink Me and Eat Me trail, encounter croquet-playing pink flamingos and discover the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party in the State Dining Room.

Along the way, there are fun, interactive opportunities for all ages, including Wonderland-inspired games, dressing-up corners and memory-making selfie opportunities. 

Lewis Carroll invented his wondrous tale for Alice Liddell, the 10 year old daughter of a  friend, during a boating trip on the River Thames.

Alice and her sisters implored Carroll to tell them a story while they rowed and he conjured up an underground world of fantasy and nonsense, discovered by a little girl after she tumbles down a rabbit hole.

Carroll went on to hand-write and illustrate a manuscript, Alice’s Adventures Under Ground, for Alice Liddell’s Christmas present in 1864 and his friends persuaded him it should be published.

His book launched a year later and became a best-selling children’s classic. It even sparked a perennial fashion trend… The Alice hairband.

Said Nicola Wilson, WWPT’s Head of Commercial: “The book our Christmas experience is based on was written for a real Alice; what better way to launch our event than with a host of Alices at our VIP launch event?

“There must be lots of people across the generations who are named Alice, or international derivatives of the name, in South Yorkshire. 

“If there’s one in your family, please get in touch with us by filling in the Alice in Wentworth Wonderland VIP event contact form. But hurry, don’t be late – the closing date  is November 16.” https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScWqzDg81Wo1002drUl3yiYMmmtiTT-5IUxWktnOAjGMLd8vg/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=106970737501232319812 

The Christmas experience is the Preservation Trust’s biggest fundraising opportunity of the year. All profits go towards the restoration and upkeep of the house and gardens and community events and opportunities in 2027.

Other seasonal activities which will appeal to Alice in Wonderland fans include themed storytelling sessions and Mad Hatter’s Tea Parties – one for families on December 21 and another for adults on December 19.

Alice at Wentworth Wonderland runs from December 1 to January 3 (closed on December 7 and 14, Christmas Day and Boxing Day).

Family tickets start at £60 (two adults and two children).  Adult tickets from £20. Child tickets (3-16) from £17.50. Discounted tickets are available for single-parent families and admission is free for accompanying carers and children aged two and under. https://wentworthwoodhouse.org.uk/whats-on/alice-in-wentworth-wonderland/