Curiouser and curiouser… Charlotte Lloyd Webber will transform Beaulieu into a vibrant interpretation of Alice in Wonderland for its annual Christmas experience from 21st November.
Top theatrical designers Charlotte Lloyd Webber and Adrian Lillie are returning with a design that will use theatrical installations, immersive soundscapes and multi-colour projections to turn the state rooms into a journey into Wonderland.
Groups can experience Alice’s Christmas Wonderland daily from 21st November until 3rd January (excluding Christmas Day).
Head down the rabbit hole
Palace House is a fitting setting for a Wonderland-inspired experience as the real Alice - Alice Liddell - was a guest at a tea party to celebrate the coming of age of the Hon John Douglas-Scott-Montagu, the second Baron Montagu of Beaulieu in 1887.
Visitors will follow the White Rabbit into Palace House rooms dressed with twinkling lights and vibrant seasonal decorations. Expect to see an explosion of colour in the Mad Hatter’s hat shop, a life-size caterpillar on a five-foot toadstool, the grinning Cheshire Cat and the maddest tea party ever, with festive twists said to be at every turn.
Intricate room decor will also feature cascading playing cards and pastel-coloured butterflies, and Beaulieu’s signature 20ft real tree located at the foot of the grand staircase will be decorated with Wonderland-inspired ornaments (if you like what you see, you can shop for the baubles and decorations in the Palace House gift shop).
Groups visiting on peak days (Friday - Sunday and during the school holidays) will have the chance to meet real life characters from the story, from the brilliantly bonkers Mad Hatter to the intimidating Queen of Hearts.
The maddest tea party ever staged
Artistic director Charlotte Lloyd Webber said: “Palace House presents the perfect late Victorian interior setting to inspire us to bring this iconic Lewis Carroll story to life. We are using the house decor to influence the design and create a magical environment that will delight throughout all the rooms.”
Design director Adrian Lillie added: “Our team is having a lot of fun designing each space in Palace House to present all the best known and favourite characters from the Alice story … not just Alice, the Mad Hatter and White Rabbit but also room schemes dedicated to the Queen of Hearts, the Caterpillar and Cheshire Cat. And just wait for the maddest tea party ever staged!”
It’s always tea time
After your adventure through the festive Wonderland, make time for a Wonderland Tea & Treats in the historic abbey’s Domus. Heart-shaped scones with cream and jam, cakes and sandwiches will be served on an Alice in Wonderland stand, with the option of adding a glass of prosecco.
Tickets for A Palace House Christmas 2026 - Alice’s Christmas Wonderland go on sale in early August and include entry to Beaulieu’s National Motor Museum, the 13th century Beaulieu Abbey, unlimited rides on the tree-top monorail and access to the grounds and gardens. Wonderland Tea & Treats is bookable alongside Alice’s Christmas Wonderland tickets.
Groups of 15 or more are offered reduced rates, free coach parking and free admission for drivers.
For details and tickets to A Palace House Christmas at Beaulieu go to www.beaulieu.co.uk or call 01590 612345.
