Once Upon a Time in Oxford (and Whitby)
Event Date: 20/03/2026
Location: Whitby Museum
Address: Pannet Park, Whitby, YO21 1RE
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Once Upon a Time in Oxford (and Whitby): the Origins of Lewis Carroll's Wonderland
Charles Lutwidge Dodgson was a student when he first visited Whitby in 1854, and was so taken with the place that he visited on many more occasions, the last being in 1871 for the wedding of his younger brother Wilfred to a local girl. In between, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland had been published and Through the Looking-Glass was imminent. Numerous real people, places, and events inspired aspects of the world-famous fantasies, providing windows into Victorian Oxford in particular. Dodgson's visits to Whitby, meanwhile, and those of his acquaintances, shed interesting and amusing light on 19th-century 'St Hilda's by the Sea'.
This event is a chance to have an after hours look at our 'Curiouser and Curiouser' exhibition and 'Alice in Whitby' costume exhibition with a complimentary glass of wine ahead of the talk by Mark Davies. Doors will open at 5pm with the talk starting at 5:45pm.
Mark Davies is an Oxford local historian, guide, and author. He is a trustee of the Lewis Carroll Society and has helped to organise Oxford's annual 'Alice's Day' since the first one in 2007. His relevant publications are Alice in Waterland and Alice’s Oxford on Foot, and he has lectured on various aspects of the life and work of Lewis Carroll in many parts of the British Isles and even as far away as India. He is also on the national committee of the Alliance of Literary Societies and is a member of the Society of Authors.
Please note: entry to the event is via the rear doors of the museum. Accessible parking only is available at the museum, alternative parking is available in West Cliff car park or on street locally (please check local regulations) and allow ample time to get to the venue.