Oxford Castle and Prison
Oxford Castle and Prison offer guided tours within the old prison in the centre of Oxford. The castle and prison are 1,000 years old and as well as a fascinating 50-minute tour you can also explore the wider site at leisure.
What is there to do at Oxford Castle and Prison?
Tours run every 25 minutes with the first tour at 10 am and the last at 4:40 pm. Admission to the castle prison is by guided tour only. The castle is a large, partly ruined Norman medieval castle where most of it was destroyed in the English Civil War.
By the 18th century, the remaining buildings became Oxford’s local prison. The prison closed in 1996 and became not just a visitor attraction but a hotel as well. Today the remains of the Saxon St. George’s Tower, Motte-and-Bailed Mound, the prison D-Wing and Debtor’s Tower are what you can visit today.
As well as the guided tour of the prison you can climb the 101 steps to the top of the tower and enjoy panoramic views of Oxford. You can also descend underground and look around the candle-lit crypt. On an outside tour, you can venture up the mound of the old castle.
Further Information
Is there food and drink available?
There is a cafe serving hot and cold food and drinks.
What are the main things to do?
Historic castle and prison with guided tours, a tower you can climb, a candle-lit crypt and more. There are toilets and a cafe.
What are the ticket prices?
An adult ticket costs £13,95, children 5-15 £9,45 and children aged under 5 are free.
Prices are subject to change and/or discounts online.
Is there parking?
There are a number of pay and display car parks nearby.
When are they open?
Oxford Castle and Prison is open all year round except for the 24th-26th of December. For up-to-date opening times please visit their website.
Dog friendly?
Only assistance dogs are permitted within the attraction.
Are they accessible?
