Alice's adventures in Blists Hill

Blists Hill Victorian Town will be hosting a themed event over the Bank Holiday weekend of 29 - 31 August based on the much-loved Victorian novel, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Charles Dodgson written under the pseudonym Lewis Carroll.

First published in 1865, it tells the story of seven-and-half-year-old Alice who falls down a rabbit hole into a fantasy world.

Visitors who come dressed as Alice, or another character from the book, will receive a small prize with the best entrants winning a voucher to have their picture taken in costume by the Victorian town’s resident photographer, Roland Percy Smitheman.

Blists Hill’s actors will be portraying characters from the book and acting out scenes at various locations throughout the town. Visitors can join the Mad Hatter at his Tea Party, play croquet with the Queen of Hearts and attend the trial of the Knave of Hearts who is accused of stealing the jam tarts. The Kaleidoscope Theatre Group will also be performing cameo mimes featuring Lewis Carroll’s characters.

Youngsters can have a go at various hands-on activities such as colouring Alice themed illustrations and playing with Victorian toys. They can also follow a clue-led trail to find the Cheshire Cat; anyone who discovers his hiding place can claim a free fruit flavoured lolly at the Bank.

A Passport to all 10 museums valid for 12 months and multiple return visits costs £19.95 per adult, £15.95 for the 60 plus, £12.95 for students and children, and £54.95 for a family of two adults and three children aged up to 18 years in full time education, under fives go free. Single admission tickets are also available from each of the museums.

The museums are open seven days a week from 10am until 5pm; activities and workshops vary day-to-day and some carry an extra charge in addition to the museum admission fee. For further information, visit ironbridge.org.uk. The Gorge is easily reached via the M6 and M54 motorways exiting at Telford (M54 junction 4 or 6).