This year marks the 150th anniversary of the publication of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, written by Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, better known as Lewis Carroll. To celebrate that milestone, Oxford River Cruises is offering a themed outing called the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party, a river excursion that follows the same Thames rowing route Carroll took on July 4, 1862. That historical outing inspired the picnic where Carroll first told the Alice story to Alice Liddell and her sisters.
The cruise is guided by Mark J. Davies, a Lewis Carroll expert and local waterways historian. Guests enjoy a classic afternoon tea featuring sandwiches, cakes and treats inspired by Wonderland while passing the same stretch of river associated with Carroll’s famous tale. The route includes passage through a Thames lock and a close approach to Port Meadow, a riverside location linked to the book’s Mad Tea Party scene.
Two-hour cruises depart at 3:30 p.m. on selected dates: May 4, July 7 and July 21. Tickets are available online and at the Oxford Visitor Information Centre on Broad Street. Costumes and dress-up in Wonderland style are warmly encouraged for passengers who wish to join the celebration.
The event blends literary history with a relaxed river setting, making it suitable for fans of Carroll’s work, local history enthusiasts and anyone who enjoys a traditional afternoon tea with a whimsical twist. The limited-duration cruises offer an engaging way to experience a slice of Victorian literary heritage while traveling the same waterways that inspired one of the most enduring children’s books in English literature.
Passengers should reserve in advance to secure a place on the selected dates. The guided commentary and themed refreshments are designed to enhance the historical context of the route and the story’s origins. This anniversary cruise provides both an informative narration about Carroll’s life and the local landscape, and a pleasant, social atmosphere on board.
Whether you come for the history, the tea, or the chance to dress up and enjoy a unique riverside outing, the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party cruise offers a memorable way to mark 150 years since Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland first enchanted readers.