On Saturday morning we visited The Castle Howard Alice in Wonderland experience again! We went last year to the Peter Pan one and loved it so much we decided to go again!
Every year, the iconic Castle Howard is decorated all Christmasy in a different theme. This year it was wonderland-themed.
The Alice In Wonderland Experience
Castle Howard has turned into Alice’s Christmas Wonderland with decorations that take you through a psychedelic world. We walked among giant teacups, huge paper chains, and baubles straight out of the Mad Hatter’s tea party. Everywhere we looked, it was as if the pages of Lewis Carroll’s book had come to life. The Grand Hall transformed into a stage for this festive season show where we met characters like the Cheshire Cat peering at you from behind items of the castle in light and video shows. The White Rabbit was rushing past us on his important date! It feels like being in a different world—a fanciful feast for the eyes where every detail adds to the magic of Christmas at Castle Howard.
Interactive displays and characters
At Castle Howard’s Alice in Wonderland, the interactive displays and characters grab your attention right away. There are both models and video projections in the various rooms for you to see and listen to the story of Alice in Wonderland. They bring the story to life around every corner of Castle Howard’s grand halls. You might run into the Mad Hatter ready for a tea party or have a chat with Alice herself.
Each room within this stately home has its own charm with decorations that match. Chess pieces from Alice’s adventures stand tall and the lights and sounds make it feel magical, almost real enough to be part of Wonderland yourself.
The Grand Christmas Tree
The Grand Christmas Tree takes centre stage at Castle Howard during the festive period. This year, it stands tall in the Great Hall, covered in elegant decorations and shining lights. This tree always makes me want to cry! It did last year, and it was the same this year. It’s in a stunning room with painted ceilings and a large open fireplace! It’s decorated in Wonderland-themed ornaments and sparkling lights that dance across its branches. The team at Castle Howard picks out each bauble and light with care, making sure every piece adds to the magic of Alice’s Christmas Wonderland.
Wonderland-themed cocktails and dining
The magical world of Wonderland doesn’t stop at visual wonders; there are tailored cocktails and themed dining experiences bring an extra layer of enchantment to your visit.
Visitor Tips
When visiting Castle Howard Alice In Wonderland, plan to arrive early to avoid crowds. Be sure to pick up a map from the estate office for easy navigation around the different areas of the estate.
Best times to visit
Mid-November is the ideal time to visit Castle Howard for the Alice in Wonderland experience. The estate opens its doors with whimsical festive decorations and enchanting displays, setting the stage for a delightful holiday adventure. Always try to get the first tickets of the day to avoid crowds. We got the 9:30 am tickets and were there before it opened, this meant we weren’t trapped behind people and having to go at their pace. At the end when we came to the food area, we were quickly able to get a drink and snack without having to queue and there were plenty of seats!
Navigating the estate
To explore the Castle Howard estate, start your visit at the main house entrance. The estate is open daily, so you have flexibility in choosing when to begin your journey. Remember to visit the historic stable courtyard and the garden centre. The farm shop is great for meats and deli items! There’s also a pop-up bettys!
You can walk from the ticket office to the house, or jump on the tractor-driven sleigh!
Santa’s Grotto to visit Father Christmas and the Festive Afternoon Tea are also popular attractions during festive events, so you can book one of these at the same time.
So, this festive season, why not head to Castle Howard, meet Father Christmas, and have your very own magical adventure in Neverland and a Castle Howard Christmas?
The address is: Castle Howard Estate, York, YO60 7DA
I can’t wait to see what Castle Howard has in store for next year!
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