Alice in the Palace
On the wishing tree in the chapel at Blenheim Palace in a child’s handwriting was written,
"I wish make believe was real."
Alice in the Palace is as real as you are going to get until make believe does indeed become reality.
This enchanting daytime experience is new to Blenheim Palace this Christmas. I was there on the opening night but it is open until January 5th 2020 so there is plenty of time to take a family trip into the larger-than-life storybook.
Entering the World of Alice
You enter through the palace’s entrance and are greeted with a sumptuously decorated Christmas tree and a giant stack of playing cards. Next is the Hall of Mirrors and the Rabbit-Hole corridor to enter Alice’s Wonderland proper.
Each of the staterooms has been decorated for Christmas along the theme of Alice in the Palace. Those who have read Lewis Carroll’s books will recognise all the characters and scenes. The Cheshire Cat, the Caterpillar and the Queen of Hearts are all there each with their own themed room. Massive mushrooms are in the Caterpillar’s garden, the Pool of tears has a room devoted to it and Blenheim Palace’s famous Long Library is the sumptuous setting for the Mad Hatter’s tea party.
Nothing is as it seems. In some places you feel as if you are a diminutive person in large space with giant everyday objects; at others you are a large person in a tiny space. As in Lewis Carroll’s stories nothing is as it seems. Children can look inside time doors, search for the white rabbit in every room and collect letters hidden everywhere.
Conclusion
I have been to themed exhibitions many times and have yet to see one that grabs the imagination so much as Alice in the Palace and with so much attention to detail. It is a great Christmas activity for the whole family and not a Santa in sight; though I did spot Alice a couple of times.
Click on the button below to visit the gallery where there are more photographs of Alice in the Palace.
More information
What: Alice in the Palace – Discover a Wonderland like no other this Christmas, created for all the family to enjoy.
When: From 22 November 2019 – 5 January 2020*
Admission: Advanced from: Adult £27.00, Concessions: £25.00, Child £16.00, Family £67.50 (2 adults & 2 children), Under 5’s & carers free
Website: blenheimpalace.com/Christmas
