'Yorkshire's 'Alice in Wonderland' house goes on the market

The grade two listed Old Hall next to Ripon Cathedral was home to Carroll's family for six years between 1852 and 1858.

It is thought that Carroll, whose children's classic is currently being remade into a Hollywood film starring Johnny Depp, was inspired by medieval carvings at the Cathedral to create the likes of The Cheshire Cat and The Mad Hatter.

Under his real name of Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, he stayed in the house while father Rev Charles Dodgson was a canon at the cathedral.

Local historian Maurice Taylor said: "Who knows what inspired a creative mind like his, but Lewis Carroll certainly stayed at the Old Hall for the first few weeks every January between 1852 and 1858 while on holiday from his studies and later from his job at Oxford University.

"His family always came down to stay there on January 1 with his family, including his three brothers and seven sisters."

During his time in Ripon he wrote the humorous poem Ye Carpette Knighte and the short story, Legend of Scotland.

The building was constructed in the early 17th century and is being sold after the previous tenant, Bill Emmerson, died.

Nick Talbot, from estate agents Carter Jonas, said: "It's a beautiful house, all the more interesting because of this connection with Lewis Carroll."