The 160th Unbirthday of Alice in Wonderland

Welcome to the best

Tea-party in Beaulieu!

Jonathan and Briony designed and built “The 160th Unbirthday Party” at Gardener’s World Spring Fair at Beaulieu between 2nd-4th of May 2025, in the Beautiful Borders category.

The garden is in partnership with The Sussex Snowdrop Trust. They do amazing work with children who have terminal and life-threatening illnesses within 15 miles of Chichester, West Sussex.

Below is a quick dive into the inspiration of the garden, the lead-up to the show, and how the garden was built.

Imspiration for the Garden

Choosing Alice in Wonderland as the inspiration for our garden was a natural and heartfelt decision, especially as we celebrate the 160th anniversary of this timeless tale. Lewis Carroll’s whimsical world has enchanted readers for generations, and it felt only fitting to honor the book with our own twist — a garden designed as an “unbirthday” celebration. The idea of the Mad Hatter’s tea party provided the perfect starting point, inviting us to play with imagination, eccentricity, and charm. Every corner of the garden has been thoughtfully crafted to capture the surreal, topsy-turvy energy of Wonderland, from mismatched tea sets spilling across picnic tables to the cozy, slightly-too-big armchair that pays homage to Alice herself.

Wooden directional signs with various phrases, planted in a garden with trees and plants, under a blue sky. Sign phrases include "Follow the rabbit," "Yonder," "Wrong way," "Somewhere," and others.

The Garden Build, Items, and Plants

While this garden hasn’t been built just yet, we have a clear vision—and we’re excited to bring it to life! Want to follow the journey? Keep an eye on our social media to see how the magic unfolds.

Inspired by Alice’s tea party in the heart of a woodland clearing, this garden blends imagination with sustainability. Most of the items—like the table, chairs, and tea sets—were lovingly sourced second-hand from Facebook Marketplace and charity shops. A few treasures were even recycled, with only a handful of pieces bought new to keep things as eco-friendly as possible.

Look closely for the charming little details hidden throughout the space. The planting scheme evokes a whimsical woodland, with a borrowed oak tree setting the scene and a row of Himalayan birches creating a natural, storybook backdrop.

Digital illustration of Alice in Wonderland theme with pink castle, mushrooms, and whimsical signpost, set against a background of large leafless tree and open park.

At the heart of the garden sits our magical table planter, overflowing with plants we've lovingly grown just for this show. Beneath it, you’ll discover a hidden surprise—a mini stumpery filled with delicate ferns, adding a touch of woodland wonder.

While the garden begins with rich, leafy textures, don’t be fooled—bursts of vibrant blooms are waiting to steal the spotlight, bringing the tea party to life in true Alice style. Expect a colourful, curious spectacle worthy of Wonderland.

A Garden with Heart: Supporting The Sussex Snowdrop Trust

This show garden isn’t just a tribute to the whimsical world of Alice in Wonderland—it’s also been created with a deeper purpose: to support a truly special local charity, The Sussex Snowdrop Trust.

The Trust provides nursing care at home for children with life-threatening and terminal illnesses, along with emotional and financial support for their families. Based within a 15-mile radius of Chichester, West Sussex, they currently care for 64 brave children and their families. Their work is nothing short of extraordinary, and it’s entirely community funded—requiring over £500,000 a year to continue making a difference.

We chose to partner with The Sussex Snowdrop Trust not only because they’re local to us, but because their mission touches the hearts of many—and fits beautifully with the spirit of a garden inspired by a beloved children’s story. Alice in Wonderland reminds us of the magic, resilience, and curiosity of childhood, and we wanted to honour that by supporting a charity that does so much for children and their families when they need it most.

This entire garden has been lovingly designed, built, and funded by Dakic Garden Design. On the final day of the show, every plant you see here will be sold—with 100% of the proceeds going to The Sussex Snowdrop Trust. We hope to raise not only funds, but awareness, for the incredible work they do.

So, as you step into our Wonderland, know that every flower, fern, and teacup is part of something much bigger—a celebration of care, community, and kindness.

To learn more about The Sussex Snowdrop Trust and the incredible work they do, please visit the link below. If you're able to, any donation—big or small—would mean the world to the families they support.