This year marks the 150th anniversary of the publication of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, the creation of author Lewis Carroll (Charles Lutwidge Dodgson). This literary anniversary is the subject of a floating Mad Hatter’s Tea Party, a new expedition on offer from Oxford River Cruises. The cruise glides along the identical rowing route on the Thames taken by Carroll on July 4, 1862. The outing led to a picnic and Carroll’s creation of the Alice story for Alice Liddell and her sisters.

Accompanied by Lewis Carroll expert and local waterways historian Mark J. Davies, the river cruise includes a delectable afternoon tea of sandwiches, cakes and Wonderland-themed treats. Participants will traverse a Thames lock and float close to Port Meadow, a location associated directly with the book’s famous Mad Tea Party. Cruise dates are May 4, and July 7 and 21. Each two-hour cruise departs at 3:30 p.m. Tickets may be purchased online or at the Oxford Visitor Information Centre on Broad Street. Dressing up in costume, incidentally, is highly encouraged.