Workhouse Mad Hatters garden fete

Fun is in store for all the family with Alice in Wonderland themed garden games, character museum trails, stalls, crafts, pop up cafe, museum tours and more from 11am-4pm.

Museum spokesman Wendy Hunwick Brown said: “This is a free fun event with plenty of things going on to suit all ages whatever the weather.

“This is also a chance for people to have a look around the Workhouse Museum and wander round the kitchen garden.

“Ripon is very much on the map for Lewis Carroll fans, as his father was Canon of Ripon Cathedral and it is thought that the daughter of a local resident inspired the character of Alice herself.”

The Workhouse Museum is one of the UK’s best-preserved Workhouse sites complete with a restored Victorian kitchen garden, which will all be open for free. The garden is a real hidden gem and grows heritage varieties of fruit and vegetables using traditional methods as well as having a beautiful wild flower meadow.

Other attractions on the day will include pin the grin on the Cheshire cat, splat the dormouse, enjoy flamingo croquet in the garden, be entertained by Punch and Judy, try your hand at the coconut shy or put your partner in the stocks.

Visitors can spot the clues as they follow trails around the museum and garden.

The Mad Hatters café will be serving homemade cakes and drinks, and Mrs Porters ensemble will play a mixture of English and Scottish tunes along with a few music hall numbers.

The Workhouse Museum is open every day from 11am-4pm.