FAMILIES chased the Queen of Hearts through her gardens and had tea with the Mad Hatter during Alice’s Day.

The festivities, which took place on Saturday, celebrated Alice in Wonderland and author Lewis Carroll’s link to the city.

Events were held across Oxford, including the Botanic Garden, Oxford Castle, the Ashmolean Museum and the Museum of Natural History.

Highlights included an outdoor Jabberwock performance, Mad Hatter’s tea parties and outdoor film screenings.

Organisers estimated more than 10,000 people attended.

Sue Matthew, 70, who turned up with her daughter and grandchildren, said: “It has been wonderful.

“Alice’s Day helps people realise what a very special place Oxford is.

“My grandchildren loved it, my daughter loved it and I have loved it – from one-and-a-half to 70 years old.”

Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland was written in the 1860s by Charles Dodgson, a Christ Church maths don, under the pen name Lewis Carroll.

Eka Morgan, co-odinator of the annual event, said: “Each of the venue organisers have said they have had more people than ever.

“For me, it is about the atmosphere, and the atmosphere was great.”

“It bodes well for next year, which will celebrate the 150th anniversary of the first telling of Alice by Lewis Carroll.”

The Botanic Garden hosted a performance by the Mad Dogs theatre group. The Queen of Hearts said: “These are my gardens and everyone has just turned up all of a sudden. They are awfully nice, but if any of them are naughty it will be off with their heads!”