A Weekend in Wonderland: A 40th Birthday Celebration Like No Other
Wellness, wild creativity and unforgettable moments came together for a truly personal 40th birthday weekend at Wonderland.
Some celebrations are about marking a milestone. Others are about creating an experience that brings people together, inspires connection and leaves everyone feeling a little more alive. Rose’s 40th birthday weekend at Wonderland was all of these things and more.
Bringing together 35 friends and family for a weekend of wellness, nature, immersive entertainment, music and dancing, Rose transformed Wonderland into her own little world - a celebration that was as individual as she was.
From cabaret and themed evenings to lakeside sauna sessions, mindful nature walks and late-night silent disco dancing under the moon, every detail was thoughtfully considered. The result was a weekend that balanced playful escapism with meaningful connection, giving guests the freedom to celebrate, explore and simply be.
“Wonderland is a sanctuary inspiring you to slow down, connect with nature, tune in with your authentic self; a place to nurture through stillness as well as explore movement, dance and celebration.”
“Wonderland is a sanctuary inspiring you to slow down, connect with nature, tune in with your authentic self; a place to nurture through stillness as well as explore movement, dance and celebration.”
A celebration that reflected Rose
For Rose, a weekend away had always been the dream. Having previously organised an elaborate Alice in Wonderland-themed celebration for her ex-partner’s 30th birthday, she knew exactly how much magic could be created when you brought the right people together in a special setting.
This time, it was her turn to create the ultimate birthday experience, built around the things she loves most.
As the founder of a wellness brand, many of the activities were inspired by her own weekly rituals, from sauna and breathwork to nature walks, gong sessions and ecstatic dance. Alongside these grounding experiences, Rose wanted to bring in the theatrical, the unexpected and the wonderfully unconventional.
“I kind of just brought my weekly rituals to share,” she explained.
Her vision was to give her favourite people an opportunity to step away from their everyday lives, connect with one another and leave feeling refreshed, energised and inspired.
Rather than a traditional birthday party centred around late nights and the following morning's recovery, Rose wanted something more nourishing - a celebration where incredible food, wellness, music and shared experiences could sit alongside a healthy dose of fun.
Finding the perfect setting at Wonderland
Finding a venue that could accommodate such a diverse programme was essential. As a DJ herself, Rose knew that the sound and atmosphere of the party space would be particularly important.
The barn immediately stood out, with its distinctive interiors providing the perfect backdrop for the weekend’s evening celebrations.
“The themes came from the barn’s amazing interior vibe that you already created,” Rose shared.
Inspired by the space, Saturday night took on a 1001 Nights meets Cleopatra theme, with guests dressing up for an evening of immersive entertainment, themed music and dancing. Friday night had its own circus-inspired identity, setting the scene for a completely different atmosphere.
The addition of the marquee opened up even more possibilities. Positioned against the stunning lakeside backdrop, it became a dedicated wellness space where guests could take part in activities throughout the day, surrounded by nature.
Rose had initially considered using the grass or barn for these sessions, but the marquee allowed her to create something that felt almost festival-like, with a programme of wellness experiences and outdoor activities.
The natural surroundings became an integral part of the weekend, too. A mindful bird walk was led by Rose’s mum, a mindful meditation expert, while a gong session beside the lake offered another opportunity to slow down and reconnect.
And there was no shortage of places to pause. From the lake and sauna to the treehouse, guests could find their own quieter moments between the celebrations.
A carefully curated programme of experiences
With a background in event programming, including work at Soho House and other members' clubs, as well as running an online magazine for 14 years, Rose brought a wealth of creative inspiration to the weekend.
Her approach was to think not only about what guests would do, but also about how they would feel as the weekend unfolded.
Friday was all about arrival, fun and helping everyone get to know one another. Guests were welcomed with an immersive, playful “vibe cleanse” before heading to the bar for bespoke cocktails and 80s music. The evening continued with three cabaret performances, games and a quiz all about Rose.
Saturday shifted towards deeper connection, with guests already feeling comfortable together and ready to embrace more immersive experiences.
One of the standout moments was Forgotten Fun, a facilitated workshop led by Kata, who works alongside Rose in her ecstatic dance company. Through a series of music-led activities, guests were invited to celebrate Rose, dance together and reconnect with their inner child.
The session included a playful dance-off between partners before culminating in a huge circle of movement and shared energy.
Rose recalled the enormous smiles on everyone's faces.
There were surprises, too. An unexpected character known as Daffodil appeared throughout Saturday evening, creating a sense of intrigue as guests wondered who — or what — they had encountered. Not everyone got to meet her, which only added to the stories being shared the following day.
For Rose, these unexpected moments were an important part of the experience: creating memories that felt unique, spontaneous and entirely their own.
Space to celebrate, connect and recharge
Despite the packed programme, one of Rose’s priorities was ensuring that everything remained optional during the day.
Guests were free to choose between activities, socialising or taking time for themselves, moving at their own pace rather than feeling obliged to follow a rigid schedule.
The evenings were the exception, with everyone encouraged to arrive dressed and ready to enjoy the celebrations together.
Food played an equally important role. With Sharon taking care of the catering, guests were able to enjoy nourishing meals, snacks and a well-stocked tea station throughout the weekend without having to worry about the practicalities. Rose described Sharon’s contribution as essential to the flow of the celebration, praising her ability to create favourite dishes and make every meal feel special.
The sauna became another natural gathering point, providing space for conversations that might never have happened in a more conventional party setting.
And when the sun went down, the energy shifted again. One of Rose’s favourite moments was dancing outside the barn beneath the moon, wearing silent disco headphones. It was a vision she had held from the beginning: music, movement and a sense of freedom in the landscape surrounding the lake.
Why the extra time mattered
For Rose, the full weekend was never simply an added luxury. It was fundamental to what she wanted to create.
“Deep experiences only happen over a few days,” she reflected.
Many of her friends were busy people who rarely had the chance to slow down in this way. By removing the everyday distractions and giving everyone time to settle into the experience, the weekend created space for genuine connection. The late check-out on Sunday was particularly important. Rather than rushing everyone out after a busy Saturday night, guests could ease into the final day with nature walks, sauna sessions, gong and tai chi led by Rose’s dad.
There was time for breakfast, a naked jacuzzi session, refreshing dips in the lake and a more relaxed end to the celebrations.
Sunday evening brought another unexpected experience: a listening party in the barn featuring Pitchblack Playback, a music-listening concept connected to one of Rose’s friends in London.
By the end of the weekend, guests had experienced everything from high-energy dancing to moments of stillness, all without needing to leave the venue.
Creating your own kind of Wonderland
For Rose, the name says it all.
“Wonderland is a sanctuary inspiring you to slow down, connect with nature, tune in with your authentic self; a place to nurture through stillness as well as explore movement, dance and celebration.”
Her 40th birthday was a beautiful example of what becomes possible when a venue offers the freedom to bring a personal vision to life.
By combining distinctive indoor spaces, a versatile marquee, beautiful outdoor surroundings and the flexibility to build a programme around her own interests, Rose created something that went far beyond a birthday party.
It was a celebration of friendship, wellbeing, creativity and community - a weekend that allowed everyone to experience a little more connection, joy and freedom.
And if Rose’s final three words are anything to go by, the weekend achieved exactly what she had hoped for:
Liberating. Fantastical. Nourishing.