Alice's Shop

This tiny shop opposite Christ Church has a genuine claim to literary fame. In the 1860s it was a sweet shop run by a woman known to local children, including Alice Liddell — the real Alice who inspired Lewis Carroll's stories. Carroll knew the shop well, and John Tenniel used it as the model for the Old Sheep Shop scene in Through the Looking-Glass. The building is essentially unchanged from the outside, and stepping through the low doorway feels like entering the illustration itself.

Today it trades entirely in Alice in Wonderland merchandise, from tasteful illustrated editions and Tenniel prints to the inevitable teapots, playing cards, and soft toys. The quality ranges from tasteful keepsakes to standard tourist fare, but the setting elevates everything. The shop is small enough that you can see everything in ten minutes, though the sheer density of Alice-themed objects rewards a slower look.

Its position directly across from the Christ Church entrance makes it a natural stop on any Alice-themed visit to Oxford. Combined with the Great Hall (Carroll's dining room) and Christ Church Meadow (where Alice played), the shop completes a satisfying literary pilgrimage.

What to look for

The Tenniel prints and illustrated editions are the standout buys — they're harder to find elsewhere and make good gifts. Look for the historical display explaining the shop's connection to Alice Liddell and Carroll. The window display changes seasonally and is usually worth a photograph. If you want something beyond the mass-produced items, ask the staff about the locally made pieces.