Some of Britain’s most beloved storybook characters have magically materialised in a York park.
Fans of Alice In Wonderland should head over to Homestead Park, where this year’s summer bedding display features favourites from the book.
Postponed from last year due to the coronavirus restrictions, the display features willow sculptures of the Mad Hatter, the Queen of Hearts, the grinning head of the Cheshire Cat, and a tea party table complete with the mouse in the teapot, and a colourful display of different varieties of bedding plants.
Last year marked 200 years since the birth of Sir John Tenniel who illustrated Lewis Carrol’s books about Alice’s adventures, so a concept and design for this celebration were created by Naomi Warren, a member of the park’s gardening team.
The sculptures were beautifully crafted by artist Leilah Vyner of Dragon Willow who has worked with the Joseph Rowntree Foundation which runs the park for several years.
Naomi said: “It was a joy to create this display celebrating Alice in Wonderland. I loved reading the books and the illustrations really brought them to life for me.
“I’m looking forward to sharing the joy with the children and adults visiting the Homestead Park for whom these stories mean so much.”
Previous displays have included the hugely successful Wallace and Gromit theme in 2019, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Winnie the Pooh, Save the Bees, as well as a powerful commemoration of the Quaker’s peace work during the First World War.
The formal bedding area can be found near the entrance to the children’s play area, next to the café and plant shop.