By Jennifer Ciotta

Lewis Carroll and Oxford are synonymous with one another.  Besides touring Christ Church, one can visit the original Alice's Shop.  Alice Liddell herself used to buy sweets here, and in Carroll's day, the shop owner had a bleating voice, thus creating the sheep character in his book.  In a 500 year old building, the shop has been in existence since the 1830s, first as the Old Sheep Shop, and in 1965, changing to Alice's Shop.  The store has collectibles, pictures, gifts, souvenirs, chess sets and everything else Alice.  The Gallery has themed Alice paintings from artists such as Dali, Tenniel and Rackham.  Other items include ceramics, tableware, glasses and clocks.

The Museum of Oxford tells the story of its inhabitants, including Alice.  One can see her personal items; for example, her parasol, dress, letters, books, watch and fan.  Also on display are the first edition books and the original water color illustrations.  The museum has other exhibits such as a car engine, a mammoth's tooth, Medieval artifacts and a Roman pottery kiln.  A favorite is the Elizabeth Inn, which houses a 1930s living room, a Victorian kitchen and a 1700s college room. 

The University Museum of Natural History is a monument to the natural world, since the stone statues are of various animals and plants.  Carroll himself loved to make up stories about the exhibits, especially of the dodo.  Alice adored the cathedral, especially the painting of the dodo and the Insect Gallery.  Today, Jan Savery's painting of a dodo still hangs in the museum for other children to view.  It is one of the most important Lewis Carroll stops, since the creatures on display inspired the author to include them in his famous Alice stories.

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