Things are set to get curiouser and curiouser at RHS Garden Harlow Carr in Harrogate this summer as families are invited to enjoy an adventure in Wonderland (between 25 July and 31 August 2015)
Visitors will be asked to ponder which way they ought to go on an Alice in Wonderland-themed trail through the garden, enjoy storytelling at the Mad Hatter’s tea party table and play flamingo croquet on the lawn as part of the garden’s fun-filled summer holiday programme.
- Celebrate the 150th anniversary of Lewis Carroll’s children’s classic, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland
- See Wonderland-inspired giant topiary sculptures fresh from the RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show
- Enjoy storytelling at the Mad Hatter’s tea-party table, play flamingo croquet on the lawn and pet real-life white rabbits
The events, sponsored by Witan Investment Trust, will transform the garden into a nonsensical and magical world of Wonderland to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Lewis Carroll’s children’s classic, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.
As well as a host of gardening-inspired daily activities, from craft workshops to mud making and pond dipping, there’s a chance to relax in the garden every Sunday from 12noon to 4pm with live music near Bettys Tea House, perfect for a lazy family afternoon. Visitors may even spot the Mad Hatter, White Rabbit or a giant playing card wandering around.
Large topiary sculptures of well-known Wonderland characters including the Mad Hatter, March Hare, Caterpillar and the Cheshire Cat are winging their way to the garden fresh from the RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show. The topiary will be one of the garden’s horticultural highlights throughout the summer holidays, together with a host of different-sized sunflowers designed to reflect the ‘big-small’ theme of Carroll’s book.
Liz Thwaite, Head of Site for Harlow Carr, said:
Make sure you’re not late for this very important date in the garden calendar.
There is so much going on for families, from daily garden trails to help the Queen of Hearts find her stolen tarts, Tuesday storytelling sessions at the Mad Hatter’s tea-party table, a host of weekday craft workshops including Cheshire Cat mask making and a chance to make your own Mad Hatter-inspired hats, as well as a choice of outdoor activity sessions.
For that added ‘ah factor’, we’ll also have a litter of fluffy white rabbits for youngsters to pet each Sunday from 11am to 2pm,
With so much happening in the garden, we’re sure you’ll be grinning like a Cheshire Cat this summer at Harlow Carr.
