Missed Alice’s Day in Oxford, England, on July 1? Don’t worry — the city’s Alice-related sights are open to visitors year-round. Lewis Carroll (Charles Dodgson), the author of Alice in Wonderland, studied at Christ Church College, and many locations in and around the college inspired scenes and characters from his stories.
Begin your visit at Christ Church College. Wander the college grounds and look for the stained-glass window dedicated to Alice and the carved face of the Cheshire Cat in the dining hall. In the college gardens you’ll find trees linked to Carroll’s imagination, including one that’s long been associated with the grinning cat perched among the branches. Nearby, pop into Alice’s Shop, formerly known as the Old Sheep, where the real-life Alice Liddell used to buy sweets; today it offers a selection of keepsakes and memorabilia celebrating the tale.
For a themed refreshment, head to Café Loco on St. Aldates Street. The café serves a Mad Hatter’s Tea, features Wonderland-inspired wall murals, and has comfortable window seats with views over Christ Church College — a pleasant spot to soak up the atmosphere. To explore more of Oxford’s Alice-related corners, consider taking Alice’s Parks and Pleasure Walk, a 90-minute guided tour that visits lesser-known parts of the city. The walk is led by author and historian Mark Davies, the only guide endorsed by the Lewis Carroll Society, who shares historical context and anecdotes about Carroll and his connections to Oxford.
For a scenic perspective similar to the river outings Carroll and the Liddell family enjoyed, take a punt on the River Cherwell from Cherwell Boathouse. Punting provides a relaxing way to view the city’s riverside lanes and college gardens. Finish your Alice-themed day at the Eagle and Child pub, a longtime literary meeting place frequented by Carroll’s circle and later by authors such as J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis. The pub’s cozy corners make it an ideal stop to reflect on the stories and history you’ve explored.
Oxford offers a compact, walkable experience rich in literary history. Whether you’re interested in specific Alice landmarks or a broader sense of the city that inspired Carroll, these sites provide a year-round invitation to follow in the footsteps of one of literature’s most imaginative creators.