How long does it take to walk the Alice in Wonderland route in Oxford?

The full route takes approximately 90 to 120 minutes. This includes time to explore the stops, such as the Christ Church Great Hall and the Museum of Natural History.

Where is the real Alice in Wonderland shop?

The real Alice's Shop is located at 83 St Aldate's, Oxford. It was the grocery store where the real Alice Liddell bought sweets in the 1860s.

Can you visit the college where Lewis Carroll lived?

Yes, you can visit Christ Church, where Charles Dodgson (Lewis Carroll) lived and taught. Tickets are required to see the Great Hall and the Alice Window.

Is the Alice in Wonderland walk accessible for strollers?

Yes, the route is mostly flat and paved, making it accessible for strollers. Some areas in Christ Church Meadow have gravel paths, but they are generally manageable.

Where can I see the Oxford Dodo?

The remains of the Oxford Dodo are located in the Oxford University Museum of Natural History. This specimen famously inspired the Dodo character in Lewis Carroll's book.

What is the best time of day for an Oxford literary walk?

Morning is the best time to start, ideally around 10:00 AM. This allows you to visit Christ Church before it gets too crowded and ensures the museum is open for the final stop.

Do I need tickets for the Alice in Wonderland sites?

You only need a paid ticket for the interior of Christ Church. Alice's Shop and the Museum of Natural History are free to enter, though the shop is a retail space.

Is this walking route close to the Oxford Train Station?

Yes, the start point at Folly Bridge is about a 15-minute walk from the Oxford Train Station. You can also take several local buses to St Aldate's.

How far is the walk from Folly Bridge to the Museum?

The total walking distance is approximately 1.2 miles. It is a very easy, flat stroll through the heart of the historic city centre.

Zigway - The Guide Follows You

2 hr

Duration

5

Stops

Easy

Difficulty

About This Tour

Oxford is a city where stories are etched into the very stones of its colleges. This self-guided walking route invites you to step through the looking glass and explore the real-world locations that inspired Lewis Carroll’s masterpiece, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Rather than a formal guided tour Oxford offers at a fixed schedule, this audio walk allows you to discover the whimsical history of the city at your own pace. The journey begins at the scenic Folly Bridge, where the 'golden afternoon' of July 1862 first sparked the tale of a girl falling down a rabbit hole. From here, you will wander past the Victorian storefronts and ancient college walls that Charles Dodgson, known by his pen name Lewis Carroll, called home for decades. This neighborhood stroll is perfect for those who want to blend literary history with the stunning architecture of the University. You will encounter the very shop where the real Alice Liddell bought her sweets and the grand halls of Christ Church, where the author’s imagination was fueled by his surroundings. Whether you are a lifelong fan of the books or a first-time visitor looking for a family-friendly way to see the city centre, this walking route provides a unique perspective on Oxford’s academic and creative heritage. As you follow this path, you will see how the landscapes of the Christ Church Meadow and the curiosities found in the University Museum of Natural History directly influenced the characters we know today, from the Mad Hatter to the Cheshire Cat. This walking tour Oxford provides is an independent adventure through time and fiction, revealing the hidden gems of a story that changed children’s literature forever. Explore the dreaming spires through the eyes of a dreamer, and see the city not just as a center of learning, but as a gateway to Wonderland.

Highlights

The riverbank where the story of Alice was first told
Alice's Shop, the real-life 'Old Sheep Shop'
Lewis Carroll's home and the Alice Window at Christ Church
The scenic paths of Christ Church Meadow
The famous Oxford Dodo at the Museum of Natural History

Route Map

Numbers indicate the order of stops on the tour

Tour Stops (5)

1

Folly Bridge

Our journey begins at Folly Bridge, a place of immense literary significance. It was here, on July 4, 1862, that Charles Dodgson and his friend Reverend Robinson Duckworth took the three Liddell sisters—Lorina, Alice, and Edith—on a rowing trip up the River Thames toward Godstow. To entertain the children, Dodgson began spinning a tale about a bored girl named Alice who goes looking for an adventure. The 'golden afternoon' he later described in his poetry was actually quite cool and cloudy, but the magic of the story outshone the weather. As you look out over the water, imagine the small wooden boat and the beginning of a story that would eventually become a global phenomenon. This bridge marks the literal starting point of Alice's journey from reality into the realm of nonsense.

2

Alice's Shop

Just a short walk from the river stands a quaint building known today as Alice’s Shop. In the mid-19th century, this was a small grocery store where the real Alice Liddell used to buy her favorite barley sugar sweets. Because of its connection to the Liddell family, Lewis Carroll included it in 'Through the Looking-Glass' as the 'Old Sheep Shop.' In the book, the shop is run by a sheep who sits knitting and constantly asks Alice what she wants to buy. The shop’s interior was described as being full of 'curious things' that floated away when Alice tried to look at them. Today, the shop remains a pilgrimage site for fans, maintaining its Victorian charm and serving as a tangible link to the real girl who inspired the fictional Alice.

3

Christ Church

Christ Church is perhaps the most important location in the Alice story. Charles Dodgson lived and worked here as a mathematics lecturer for 47 years. The college’s architecture and residents provided endless inspiration. The Great Hall, with its long tables and portraits, influenced the scale and feel of Wonderland’s many rooms. Look closely at the stained-glass windows in the Hall; you might spot the 'Alice Window' featuring characters from the books. The college was also home to the real Alice, as her father was the Dean of Christ Church. The 'Rabbit Hole' is often said to be inspired by a small door in the cathedral garden that Dodgson could see from his rooms. The scholarly atmosphere of this college provided the perfect, rigid backdrop for Carroll to subvert with his nonsensical logic.

4

Christ Church Meadow

As you stroll through Christ Church Meadow, you are walking the same paths that Dodgson and the Liddell children frequented. This sprawling green space, bordered by the rivers Thames and Cherwell, captures the essence of the English countryside that frames the beginning and end of Alice’s adventures. The peaceful atmosphere here contrasts with the chaotic world inside the book, yet you can see how the riverbank setting influenced the story’s opening. Carroll’s descriptions of the 'sleepy' river and the tall grass reflect the natural beauty of this meadow. It was in spaces like these that the author observed the local wildlife and flora, which he would later personify in his writing. This area remains one of the most tranquil spots in Oxford, offering a glimpse into the Victorian leisure time that birthed the story.

5

Oxford University Museum of Natural History

Our final stop is the Oxford University Museum of Natural History, a neo-Gothic masterpiece. Inside, you will find one of the most famous inspirations for the book: the remains of the Oxford Dodo. Dodgson and Alice were frequent visitors to this museum, and the Dodo—an extinct bird that once lived on the island of Mauritius—captured their imagination. In the book, the Dodo is often seen as a caricature of Dodgson himself; because of his stutter, he would sometimes introduce himself as 'Do-do-dodgson.' The museum also houses other specimens that may have influenced the creatures of Wonderland, from strange skeletons to intricate insects. This building represents the intersection of Victorian science and Carroll’s surrealism, proving that even in a place of serious study, there is plenty of room for wonder.

Frequently Asked Questions

This self-guided Alice in Wonderland walk is ideal for families as it is easy, flat, and connects famous landmarks to a beloved story. The route includes interactive stops like Alice's Shop and the Natural History Museum.