For families looking to add a touch of magic to the half term holidays, Cowley Manor Experimental is hosting a wonderfully imaginative, one-off event that promises to delight guests of all ages. Set on the Top Lawn, with sweeping views across the lake and beautifully landscaped gardens, the Mad Hatter’s Afternoon Tea Party invites guests to step into a world of whimsy and playful charm. At the heart of the experience is one long, elegantly laid table, designed to bring everyone together for a shared, sociable and slightly mischievous afternoon.

Alice in Wonderland

Cowley Manor has a long-standing and rather enchanting connection to Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, with its grounds believed to have helped inspire Lewis Carroll during visits to the area. The estate’s whimsical gardens, complete with lakes, flowing water features and unexpected vistas, echo the playful, slightly surreal world that defines the story. It is easy to see how the sense of curiosity and imagination woven through the landscape could have influenced such a fantastical tale, making Cowley Manor a setting that feels perfectly at home hosting its own Mad Hatter-inspired experiences.

Afternoon Tea with a nod to the fantastical

From 2pm to 4pm, guests can indulge in a carefully curated afternoon tea, featuring a curious mix of sweet treats, delicate finger sandwiches and freshly baked delights, all served with a sense of occasion and a nod to the fantastical. Created as a special, one-off family event for half term, it offers something a little different. An opportunity to slow down, spend time together and enjoy a setting that feels both enchanting and memorable.

And, in true Mad Hatter style, the experience will go ahead whatever the weather, with an indoor plan ready should the British skies decide otherwise.

∙ BOOK YOUR TICKETS HERE ∙

Good experiences at Cowley with the kids

Over the years, some of our very best family memories in the Cotswolds have been made at Cowley Manor Experimental. From magical Easter picnic afternoon teas on the lawn to long summer afternoons spent exploring the lakes, gardens and hidden corners that are said to have inspired Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, it has always felt like somewhere truly special for both adults and children alike. The kids have spent hours catching frogs, making friends, running through the gardens and lounging in hammocks overlooking the grounds, while we’ve enjoyed wonderful afternoon teas, warm hospitality and that unmistakable feeling of escape that Cowley Manor does so well. It’s one of those rare places that manages to feel luxurious, imaginative and genuinely family-friendly all at once, and through the years it has given us some of the happiest days we’ve shared together in the Cotswolds.