Last week, a travel advisor asked me to put together a Grandparents and Grandchildren’s tour, which didn’t spend the entire vacation in London. My response seems to have hit the nail firmly on the head as I brought together Alice in Wonderland, Harry Potter, Roald Dahl’s BFG, a dash of Paddington Bear in London and an evening performance of Mathilda. The dates they chose were early July, which meant I could also include a visit to the fantastic new Alice in Wonderland Exhibition at London’s V&A Museum. If you have clients who’d like something similar, send me an email.
Wishing you and your family a very Happy Christmas.
Alice: Curiouser and CuriouserBetween 27th June 2020 –10th January 2021, this V&A landmark exhibition will celebrate one of the most iconic, imaginative and inspiring stories of all time. Offering an immersive and mind-bending journey down the rabbit hole, this fantastical exhibition will explore Alice in Wonderland’s origins, adaptations and reinventions, charting its evolution from manuscript to a global phenomenon. Featuring theatrical sets, large-scale digital projections and immersive environments, children and adults will journey through the enchanting and extraordinary world of Wonderland, as seen through Alice’s eyes. |
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A Dolls’ House and Wind in the WillowsWith an early morning Heathrow arrival, start with a visit to Windsor Castle, watch the Changing of the Guard and pause to see the exquisite Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House. Built nearly 100 years ago, it reflects life below stairs through to the high-society settings of the salon and dining room. With a cruise on the River Thames, then experience the Wind in the Willows Exhibition where much-loved characters like Ratty, Mole, Badger and Mr. Toad of Toad Hall jump off the pages as they turn each corner. |
Alice and Harry in OxfordIn Oxford, there’s a special Harry and Alice in Wonderland walking tour that includes the Story Museum (currently being transformed and reopening on 4th April) and Christchurch College. On Saturday 4th July 2020, there’s the annual celebration of Lewis Carroll’s celebrated book Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and its sequel Through the Looking Glass, both significant turning points in children’s literature. This year, they’re marking the 200th anniversary of Sir John Tenniel, the book’s original illustrator and the day will be filled with tea-parties, croquet, storytelling, workshops and much more. |
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Inside the Phizz-Whizzing World of Roald DahlEntering the chocolate doors of the Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre, they will find out about his school pranks, peek into his original Writing Hut and discover how his real-life adventures inspired his stories. The Museum will put their imaginations centre-stage as they create their own swashboggling stories – just like Roald Dahl did. At weekends and in the school holidays, their storytellers entertain visitors with Roald Dahl’s Dirty Beasts and Revolting Rhymes. Make time for some scrumdiddlyumptious food and drink in their Café. |
The Making of Harry PotterGo behind the scenes of the Harry Potter films and discover the authentic props, costumes and sets where all eight Harry Potter movies were made and see the films through the eyes of the filmmakers who brought everything to life. Visit the imposing banking hall of Gringotts Wizarding Bank and learn the secrets of the goblin bankers. See the costumes and prosthetic masks used by Griphook and the other goblins and snap a photo in the depths of the Lestrange vault surrounded by the treasures of Bellatrix Lestrange. |
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Paull Tickner, owner of U.K-based Custom GB, is known for his expertise in creating and operating imaginative, value-added tours of Great Britain and Ireland. Visit his website at www.customgb.co.uk or email him at ptickner@customgb.co.uk.
