Beaulieu to host a Mad Hatter’s Tea Party-themed Easter

This Easter, Beaulieu will take on a Mad Hatter’s Tea Party theme to celebrate the arrival of a new Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland topiary display.

At the estate, there will be much on for groups and families. Visitors can experience a bird’s-eye view of the topiary characters and see them sat around their ‘thyme for tea’ herb planted table by taking the high-level monorail, which passes overhead on its way around the attraction.

The Brabazon Restaurant will be serving Alice themed tea with White Rabbit biscuits, Cheshire Cat cupcakes and marshmallow caterpillars.

Families can follow the Beaulieu Easter Trail of hares – hidden across the attraction – and claim a sweet treat reward and complimentary chocolate milk at the Brabazon for completing the task.

It’s a little known fact that Alice Liddell – the real Alice in Lewis Carroll’s book, once visited the Palace House herself for a tea party to celebrate the coming of age of Hon. John Douglas-Scott Montagu, the second Baron Montagu of Beaulieu back in 1887.

Other events taking place at Beaulieu this Easter

Veteran cars will be seen driving around the parkland and visitors can jump on the open-top veteran London Bus for a ride around the estate to feel like they’ve stepped back in time.

Inside the National Motor Museum, the new interactive display Driving Change, explores motoring innovations and technologies. Groups can meet the talking crash test dummy to hear about how safety has evolved throughout motoring history.

Film footage, memorabilia and cars from the museum’s collection will also be on display to tell the story of motoring right up to today’s electric vehicles. Predictions for alternative power in the future will also be explored.

Another exhibit, World of Top Gear, will give visitors the chance to get up close to some of the machines created for the challenges seen on the TV motoring show.

On Screen Cars will  showcase TV and film favourite cars such as the flying Ford Anglia from Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets and Mr Bean’s lime green Mini.

Groups can also visit the Secret Army exhibition to learn about the training of special agents at Beaulieu during World War Two or take a stroll through the gardens surrounding the Palace House and Abbey – masses of crocuses and daffodils will be on display in March.

All Easter exhibitions are included in the standard Beaulieu admission price, which also includes the National Motor Museum, World of Top Gear the Palace House and Beaulieu Abbey.

For more information visit www.beaulieu.co.uk.