East Lancashire home changed into an Alice in Wonderland attraction

Funding has been awarded to a ground breaking team to recreate the classic Lewis Carroll tale in the grounds of Oakhill Park.

The former Accrington mill owners’ house was also home to Alice Liddell, Carroll’s inspiration for the tale.

The town’s green fingered Incredible Edible team plan to recreate Alice’s magical adventure in garden form, complete with edible treats throughout.

Funding will also make it posssible to hold events at the Manchester Road park, such as a Mad Hatter’s Tea Party, Alice-themed plays, fancy dress workshops and Easter parades.

Katie Farnell, from Incredible Edible, said: “We are very pleased with the decision and the project can now get under way.

“The aim of the project is to bring the community together using food, art, literature and history. We are creating a community garden using the local park’s connection to Alice in Wonderland.

“The local community is designing and where possible building the garden and we plan to involve the local schools.”

Funding of £13,900 from the Lancashire Environment Fund £488 from Green Spaces and £500 from the Duchy of Lancaster have seen a host of new plans made possible for the outline scheme.

The group plan to create a ‘sensory’ experience with scented herbs scattered along wheelchair-friendly paths.

A special willow woven tunnel will replicate the famous rabbit hole Alice falls down to reach Wonderland.

The garden will also be sectioned and separated with dense edible hedging of cherry, plum, hazel, crabapple, blackberry, wild pear and damson plants.

Separate gardens will feature both a sensory garden and rose hoops leading to a fruit orchard.

Guests to the garden will be encouraged to pick their own and indulge in the edible features of the different gardens.

Ian Hodgson at environmental group Prospects, which is supporting the project, said: “It’s very exciting news. We will be getting the local schools and as much of the commuity involved as possible.”