With the excitement of Christmas, New Year's, and back to school at an end now, everyone at Churnet Valley Railways is looking forward to making 2023 our biggest year yet with the return of some of our annual classic experiences, and the introduction of a few new ones.
Right now, we're all a bit mad trying to make this Easter’s Mad Hatter Tea Party curiouser and curiouser than ever. From the moment you step through the rabbit hole –or more accurately, onto our platform– you’ll feel the excitement and buzz of something special about to happen. This Easter, bring the family down to Churnet Valley Railway’s mad-as-a-hat tea party on rails and see what all the commotion is about for yourself.
In addition to enjoying arguably the most unique, albeit a bit … unconventional .., tea party in Staffordshire, you’ll also get the chance to meet all your favourite characters from the Lewis Carroll classic. This includes Alice, our beloved hero trying to make her way through our beautifully restored carriages; the always-running-late white rabbit; Tweedle Dum and Tweedle Dee, the dancing and mischievous twins; the devious knave, and the Queen of Hearts, who loves nothing more than a good old fashioned beheading.
Our Mad Hatter Tea Parties are the ultimate family-friendly event, with something for everyone to enjoy. Whether you’re helping Alice make her way through the wonderland that is our train by solving puzzles and riddles and getting caught up in the excitement of it all, or relaxing and taking in the views of the mystical moorlands of Staffordshire over the course of an hour or so, everyone exits our trains with a smile as big as the Cheshire cat.
While it’s not a requirement, tea parties are so much better if one dresses up for the affair. Your host, the Mad Hatter himself, would appreciate your presence so much more if you dressed up as your favourite character to show your sillier side (he likes those!). He also wants you to take as many photos with all of his eccentric guests as you can to remember the day forever.
Tickets for this madness, lunacy, and all-round absurdity of an event are going fast, and we’d recommend getting yours now to avoid disappointment this Easter.
Remember to check what's happening at Churnet Valley Railway throughout the year. Whether it's a Mad-as-a-hatter tea party at Easter, regularly scheduled feasts on rails, our adults-only ‘Rail Ale Trail’, or North Pole trips at Christmas –Churnet Valley Railways always has something memorable going on!