Oxford Castle Quarter

Oxford Castle Quarter and Oxford Castle-Unlocked

giant chess and croquet

Castle Gardens, Oxford Castle Quarter
Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 July, 10am to 5pm
Unleash your imagination and step between the leaves of Lewis Carroll’s books by taking time out for a bit of free fun with a game of croquet or giant chess, re-enacting some of your favourite scenes. You may spot the odd flamingo in Castle Gardens, but you certainly won’t be using hedgehogs for balls. FREE TO PLAY.

Alice -inspired arts and crafts

Oxford Castle – Unlocked, Castle Yard, Oxford Castle Quarter
Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 July, 11am to 4pm
Venture inside Oxford Castle – Unlocked and take a tour up, down and round until you land in Unlocked’s gallery where you will be invited to get crafty to your heart’s content … why not make some White Rabbit’s ears, or decorate cups and saucers for your very own tea party.

NORMAL TICKET PRICES APPLY. More info.

Alice exhibition

O3 Gallery, Castle Street Square, Oxford Castle Quarter
Saturday 7 June – Sunday 5 August,  weekdays 12 to 5pm. Thursdays 12 to 8pm. Weekends 11am to 4pm
Explore a captivating group exhibition of mixed media works showing the many ways in which artists have taken the inspiration from Lewis Carroll's books. In collaboration with the Lewis Carroll Society. FREE ENTRY.

Wonderful Wonderland storytelling sessions

Gather in O3 Gallery, Castle Street Square, Oxford Castle Quarter. Storytelling will take place in Castle Gardens, weather permitting, otherwise inside O3 Gallery where space is limited, so please arrive early to avoid disappointment.
Saturday 7 July, 11am, 2pm, 3pm.
Local actress Lucy Walters will immerse you in Chapter 7 of  Lewis Carroll’s story, bringing it to life through lively 20 - 30 minute storytelling sessions. FREE.

talk - Alice in Waterland: once upon a time in 1862

Visitor’s Room Bar, Malmaison (Floor 3), Justice Walk, Oxford Castle Quarter
Saturday 7 July, 3pm
A short illustrated talk by local historian Mark Davies, author of Alice in Waterland, who will outline the importance of Oxford's waterways as the inspiration for Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and explain the relevance of this year's 150th anniversary – with reference to locations both upstream and downstream of Oxford, and to the Castle Prison itself. FREE.

Alice-themed eating and drinking

pre-event: Mad Hatter's tea party

The Study, The Living Room, Justice Walk, Oxford Castle Quarter
Friday 6 July 7.00pm - 2.00am
Step through the looking glass and make like a Mad Hatter at a tea party strictly for grownups in the Living Room's stylish Study.  Come in Alice in Wonderland fancy dress and enjoy the Alice-inspired cocktail and canapé menu whilst enjoying glimpses of Alice-inspired film screenings... “Curiouser and curiouser!” 
Tickets are required for this event, however, it is free to attend. Call The Living Room on 01865 260210. FREE ENTRY.

Mal’s Mad Hatter’s tea party

Malmaison Brasserie and Castle Gardens, Oxford Castle Quarter
Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 July from 1pm

Quintessential English charm with a twist: tea in Castle Gardens with sandwiches and cakes – Mal style. Turned upside down, and back to front, but all delicious and decadently presented, these sweet and savoury fancies will be served in bespoke vintage-style tea-cups, saucers and pots. All served with a tranche of an excerpt from Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland – after all, storytelling is perfect for a party.

£14.50 per person. Make it better with bubbles and upgrade £8 for a glass of champagne. Reservations or 01865 268 400.

cocktail menu

Malmaison Visitor’s Room Bar, Rooftop Terrace, and Castle Gardens (weather permitting).
From noon Saturday 7 July
Malmaison mixologists have been concocting and devising a selection of new and exciting cocktails to celebrate this special Alice anniversary year.