Tea with Mary Blandy

Do you dare take tea with a convicted poisoner?

Join us for a special immersive event, where you can decide whether one of the Castle’s most notorious prisoners was guilty of murder, or the victim of a deadly deception…

In 1751, the town of Henley-On-Thames was shocked to hear of the the arrest and subsequent conviction of Mary Blandy on the charge of posioning her father.

Caught stirring a white powder into his tea, Mary remained adamant that she had never intended to kill her father, and that substance was a love potion which change her father’s opinion towards her suitor.

She was imprisoned at Oxford Castle, where her high social status meant she had some privileges that other prisoners did not enjoy. She was able to host friends for tea, though her ankles had to remain discreetly shackled!

“Alas! the record of her page will tell
That one thus madden’d, lov’d, and guilty fell.
Who hath not heard of Blandy’s fatal fame,
Deplor’d her fate, and sorrow’d o’er her shame?”

Henley: A Poem (Hickman & Stapledon, 1827)

Now, Mary invites you to tea, to hear her side of the story. Join us for delightful high tea, and the chance for you to judge for yourself!