Tea With Alice
I had the most magical afternoon yesterday. My husband and I took our daughter to see the Tea With Alice exhibition at The Story Museum.
I spoke briefly about our last Alice-related adventure here and, at the time, I thought that the celebration of Alice's 150th birthday would end after the event but, oh, how wrong I was! We were lucky to discover the exhibition when we did - as it ended yesterday - and we eked as much enjoyment as we could out of it.
The Story Museum describes its building as "dilapidated and atmospheric" on their website, traits that I feel lent themselves well to the charm and quirkiness of Alice in Wonderland. I particularly enjoyed the fact that these fortuitous characteristics were used to great effect throughout the exhibition, as you will see.
Below is the first impression we got of the space. It was lit throughout with downturned teacups attached to saucers. Aren't they super?
Each of the scalloped and artfully arranged tables housed illustrations of Lewis Carroll's well-loved tale - in the signature vibrant colour palette, for the most part. They were all beautifully reimagined but it was the dark and the moody that held me captive for a little longer.
From the fanciful to the practical, no detail had been overlooked - there were even stools provided so that children could take a closer look.
With so much to keep everyone - great and small - amused, we were absolutely spoiled for choice. We made our way to the first of the activity rooms - The Riddle Me Room. A long table was set for drawing and riddles and each chair was adorned with a rather splendid looking hat. Of course nothing compares to seeing it all firsthand but I hope my photos do the superb styling (evident in every corner of the room) justice.
Next door had been designated The Reading Room and it was piled high with every possible version of Alice In Wonderland that you could conceivably imagine. There was a chaise longue on which to recline whilst losing oneself amidst the pages and a cabinet full of curiosities nearby.
The little masterpieces below took artist and musician, George Boreham, seven years to carve out of driftwood. What a labour of love!
We were all so successfully transported into the world of Alice that we could have stayed there forever. As you can see from my verdict above, we would most certainly be back if Tea With Alice ever put on an encore.
Exhibitions, Family, Inspiration
Reader Comments (11)
I would have been in heaven at this exhibition with all those details and handmade touches. I'm in love with all the furniture and accessories you've shown. Hello, cuckoo clock. Did they have a gift shop? It would be so cool if prints were for sale of those beautiful illustrations. See what I mean, I'm all over the place and just giddy with this exhibit; It looks really magical and special.
PS~Would that happen to be your beautiful little girl sitting at the table?
Sadly, none of the prints were available for sale. I would have LOVED to give one a home! :(
Haha! You should have seen me, - I was just as giddy as you are; like a kid in a candy store! :D
"Would that happen to be your beautiful little girl sitting at the table?"
Why, yes it is! ;)
Thanks, T. x
First off, Theresa asked the question I was dying to ask! Your daughter is stunning, and the look of concentration on her face is captivating. And captivating, this whole post, as must have been your whole experience. Stunning photos, and your descriptions transported me right there with you three. Beautiful.
So.....how's school? ;)
Thank you, sweet Lauren! :D
We truly had the best time we've ever had at any exhibition EVER!
It's great to have you back - I've missed you so. x
School's going well for now but then I'm yet to leave her on her own. :/
We're thinking - maybe - next week? Eeek!
My daughter loves Alice in Wonderland - such a beautiful exhibition :)
Oh Cheadle Dee I love this post so much! What a wonderful place and how pretty L is! xxx
@Geraldine: Well, then she has impeccable taste!
The curators and stylists did such an incredible job transforming the rooms.
Thanks for stopping by! :D
@Annie: Glad you like it, Annie-Deadle-Dee and thank you! :) x
Chi, do you remember I really wanted to see this. If in London, I would have been there in a shot!!!!
It does indeed look magical and your photos are glorious and make me feel I was there:)) thank you so much for showing so many and depicting great detail.
You know the best exhibitions are those that have been curated well and this one looks like they did an incredible job. I wonder whether it's a travelling exhibition, I certainly hope so. It would be a real shame if that's the end of it.
I love how they made it interactive and the styling of the crafts rooms is so stylish, yet fun and childs friendly.
L is divine, looking so grown up..... just adorable!!
The books, the prints, the carvings.... in London they would have milked this and had a massive gift shop. Did you know that Selfridges had their Wonder Room dedicated to Alice in Wonderland for a whole month last year? It was rather spectacular but I would have clearly preferred the exhibition you went to.
Fantastic post. x
I do remember, Tina and I so wish you could have seen it for yourself! :(
I found out about it on Twitter the night before in a "last chance to see ...... " tweet from The Story Museum.
We feel so lucky that we were only just able to catch it.
I've now been to The Story Museum in Oxford twice (each time for Alice-related events) and I have come to the conclusion that they're exceptionally adept at appealing to the child in us all.
I have every intention of making a pilgrimage there wherever we end up!
"I wonder whether it's a travelling exhibition, I certainly hope so. It would be a real shame if that's the end of it."
I don't think so but I agree - it would be a shame. I spoke to a member of staff that day and it seems they have other related events planned though not involving Alice In Wonderland itself.
"L is divine, looking so grown up..... just adorable!!"
Aww, thank you, Tina! x
You should have seen her at school yesterday - she's doing so brilliantly. :)
As always, your compliments and support mean so much to me. xo
Ah! Theresa already got just the answer I was looking for! Your little L is the most stunning little thing in the world. She is an angel, concentrating so hard with that pencil in her hand. I could just eat her up, she's so adorable. I feel like I should say "well done" or something, haha. But you've definitely created a little marvel with her.
That Alice exhibit looks amazing, so whimsical and interactive. How lucky that you got to see it before it left! Some things are meant to be, clearly. I love the saucer lights and the chaise with all the books on it. And those wood carvings! Did they really take that long? Wow, I can't even imagine the effort. So magical, the whole exhibit. It's easy to see why it charmed you and your family! Alice is one of my favorite stories of all time, I'm so happy it's being passed on and on to other generations in such incredible ways..
xoxo thank you for sharing this with us!
Oh, you do make me laugh!
Thank you, duckie dearest. I have tried to eat her on numerous occasions but such behaviour is usually met with loud protests! :D
"And those wood carvings! Did they really take that long? Wow, I can't even imagine the effort."
It was probably in the days before the internet and television - the greatest time sucks of our time.
Still, if it wasn't for the internet I'd never have met you! ;)