I'll be the first to admit that it's difficult for me to be unbiased when it comes to The Story Museum. I used to volunteer there, and spent many happy afternoons sitting in the galleries, soaking up stories and feeling the energy that buzzes through the place. That said, I know it's not just me who thinks that the museum's exhibitions are consistently high-quality and inventive, and their latest, It's Always Tea Time, promises to meet The Story Museum's usual standard.

It's Always Tea Time isn't the first Alice-themed exhibition The Story Museum has run (I doubt it's even the fifth), but nonetheless, it is unique. Estonian artist Viive Noor, who turned 50 the same year that Alice turned 150, has put together a collection of art by 72 artists from 19 different countries, all themed around interpretations of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. The exhibition has travelled across many countries in Europe, but this is its UK debut, and it's appropriate that this is taking place in the city where the Alice stories were first written.

I visited for a press preview, one week before the exhibition's opening, so there were a few final tweaks to the settings that still needed to be made - but this didn't detract from the impact of the artwork. The paintings were surreal and often spooky, with Carroll's weird characters portrayed in a way that took elements of the original and twisted them into something new. The mix of styles is a testament to how well the Alice characters lend themselves to reinterpretation. The White Rabbit features in many of the paintings, sometimes cute, sometimes fidgety and wired, and one time a grinning rabbit's skull in a patchwork coat. One of the artists portrayed the Hatter as a former President of Estonia, which seemed to be intended as a compliment - how well the original Hatter would do at running a country, I'm not sure, although there have certainly been worse characters who've taken up a career in politics.

The Story Museum's exhibitions are known for being interactive, which I think might be a challenge here - the paintings and papier-mache dolls that make up the exhibition are beautiful, but they're also fragile artwork, and have to be kept safe behind glass. However, the museum's Head of Exhibitions and Story Collections, who showed us around, described some of the ways that they will be tackling this. The museum plans a Riddle Trail, where children can explore the galleries and find answers to brainteasers, or spot clues in the paintings. There will also be dress-up points, and storytelling inside a giant fairground teacup, as well as a programme of art workshops - some by the artists whose work is featured in the exhibition. While this exhibition may not be as popular with the youngest visitors as the Time For Bed room, the planned interactive elements sound promising.

I think that It's Always Tea Time will appeal most to visitors like myself, who have read and re-read the Alice stories, and love reinterpretations that twist this already strange narrative. However, the art styles are so eclectic, and the planned activities so diverse, that there will be something to appeal to everyone - so head along and join the party!