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Mark Davies

More About Mark Davies

Mark Davies is an authoritative author on the work of Carroll Lewis, a public speaker and a published historian of Oxford’s canals and waterways.

Oxford with Mark Davies

  • “It doesn't matter which way you go," said the Cat. " – so long as I get somewhere," Alice added ... "Oh, you're sure to do that," said the Cat, "if you only walk long enough."

    Alice's Oxford in the footsteps of the city's most famous children’s author, Lewis Carroll. Begins at the Town Hall, where Alice memorabilia are on display.

    The route passes Christ Church, where Carroll taught and lived all his adult life and where the inspiration for his story, Alice Liddell, was the daughter of the Dean.

    After passing some of the city’s finest collegiate architecture, the walk will then explore some less visited, quieter parts of the city, via the resting place of two Hatters, through University Parks (Pleasure and Delight guaranteed! And a minute of cricket) – and the ‘loveliest building of the plain’

    With reference to some of Oxford’s other renowned writers of fantasy fiction, the walk continues to the Oxford University Press building in Jericho, where the first edition of Alice’s Adventures was printed in June 1865, and finished at the remarkable and relevant St Barnabas Church in Jericho.

  • A circuit through some of the oldest and most interesting parts of Oxford and its waterways including: the River Thames (including a lock of particular literary and strategic importance) and its sidestreams; the Oxford Canal (and another significant lock); St Thomas’ parish, the home of the city's brewing industry, from where most of Oxford's boating families derived; and a peep at the Victorian suburb of Jericho – rich in both literary, artistic and religious associations;the scene of past and current controversies.

    We visit Oxford Castle, whose past is inseparable from Oxford’s waterways: through its situation, through the use of convict labour, and through its especially dynamic late-18th century prison governor-cum-engineer, architect, artist and builder, Daniel Harris.

  • "The tour was well thought out and Sophie was an engaging guide with a mine of interesting information, much of it new to me even as someone who's lived in Oxford for the past 30 years. Definitely recommended."

    J Willams, Oxford

  • "Sophie offered us a tailor-made tour that perfectly met our expectations."

    Steve, Munich, Germany

  • "Wonderful tour about Oxford, very knowledgeable guide. We enjoyed every minute of it."

    Maria, USA

  • "Sophie is a congenial host with vast knowledge of the colleges and general Oxford area. Good communication and instruction for meet up. Would highly recommend her tour!"

    Andrew, New York, USA

  • "Fascinating tour by a wonderful guide!"

    Michael, USA

  • "Sophie is so knowledgeable! Oxford is a city of history, and she knows it so well. Her recommendation for our dinner after the tour was perfect! She also took care of me beforehand in suggesting other things to do before her tour. She’s the best. A pro’s pro!"

    Kori, USA

  • "My history tour with Sophie was informative and entertaining. The horror was made funny and the ridiculous serious. I was surprised by how much I didn't know and went away with new insights into, not only the university's history and traditions, but the history of England generally. I also got some good ideas for the rest of my stay in Oxford. Thank you!"

    James, UK

  • "This tour was a lovely introduction to Oxford University. As a recent transplant from the US, it was a great way to get my bearings of the area, visit a college, and learn about some fascinating local history. Whether we were gazing at gargoyles or admiring beautiful stained glass, Sophie was a true delight – very knowledgeable, thoughtful, and well-articulated. I highly recommend this experience!"

    Megan, USA

  • "Fascinating, thoughtfully constructed tour of Oxford University encompassing a thousand years of history. I've lived in Oxford for thirty years, yet in this tour learned new and intriguing nuggets about the city, discovered hidden gems in ancient stone buildings that I've been strolling past all these years."

    Maria, Oxford, UK

  • "Sophie is a superb, experienced and enriching guide. We are a retired US professional couple. We've hired individual local guides throughout Europe, the Middle East and Asia, and Sophie tops our list! She spent hours with us in advance, curating our day in Oxford, then filled our tour with history, architecture, art, education, culture…and fun. The day was perfectly paced and suited to our needs. It was a graduation day, so like the happy students, we too tossed our hats in celebration. Brava Sophie!"

    K & A Krupsky, Chicago, USA

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