The first thing that strikes you about Oxford Castle & Prison is how recent its prison past actually is. When I learned it only closed as Oxford‘s working prison in 1996, I did the maths – people who were locked up here could well be reading this guide. That immediacy makes walking through the cell blocks rather more unsettling than touring some ancient ruin. You’re not just looking at history; you’re standing where modern criminals served time barely thirty years ago.
To skip the explanation and book tickets, head this way.
Quick overview
Admission costs £16.65–£20 for adults and £10.57–£13 for children aged 5–15 (under-5s free, though they can’t climb St George’s Tower). Entry is via guided tour only – you can’t just wander around on your own. Tours last approximately 50 minutes, with time afterwards to explore independently.
Opening hours: Daily, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (times vary during holidays).
At a glance
| Price | Opening hours | Address | Free for | Last entry |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adults £16.65–£20; children (5–15) £10.57–£13 | Daily: 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. (varies during holidays) | 44–46 Oxford Castle, Oxford, OX1 1AY | Under-5s (tower access restricted) | Last tour around 4:00 p.m. |
How much does Oxford Castle & Prison cost?
The pricing here operates on three tiers depending on when and how you book. The difference isn’t insignificant – booking ahead can save you £3.50 per adult ticket.
Tour prices
| Ticket type | Flexi ticket | Advance standard (up to midnight before) | Standard ticket (on the day) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adults | £20.00 | £16.65 | £18.50 |
| Children (5–15) | £13.00 | £10.57 | £11.75 |
| Students | £19.50 | £15.75 | £17.50 |
| Under-5s | Free | Free | Free |
What’s the difference?
- Flexi tickets let you change your booking date if plans shift
- Advance standard tickets must be bought before midnight the day before your visit and are cheaper
- Standard tickets purchased on the day cost most and offer no flexibility
Capacity is limited to 20 people per tour, and pre-booking is strongly recommended. Tours sell out, particularly during school holidays and weekends, and are one of the best reasons to visit Oxford. Payment must be made by credit or debit card (Visa, Mastercard, Switch, or Delta). They don’t accept American Express.
Important restriction: Children under 5 won’t be permitted to climb St George’s Tower due to health and safety regulations. They can attend the tour but must skip the tower section.
5 Oxford experiences worth booking
- 🎓 Take an Oxford University walking tour led by an alumni guide.
- ⚡ Explore Oxford’s Harry Potter filming locations on a tour including New College.
- 🚣 Embark on a scenic river cruise along the University Regatta course.
- 🕵️ Discover the Oxford of Morse, Lewis and Endeavour on a themed walking tour.
- 🏰 Hear dark historic tales on a guided visit to Oxford Castle and Prison.
Is Oxford Castle & Prison free to enter?
No. There’s no free access to any part of the castle or prison – admission is by guided tour only. You can’t just walk in and look around.
The adjacent castle mound is technically accessible to the public and you can climb it for £1 without taking a tour, though most people include it after their guided tour as it’s covered by your admission ticket.
What time does Oxford Castle & Prison open?
Daily: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Tour times: Tours run throughout the day between 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. (last tour around 4:00 p.m.)
Holiday variations: Opening hours extend during school holidays, though specific times aren’t listed on the website. Best to check before visiting if you’re planning to come during half-term or summer holidays.
Tours are scheduled throughout the day, but you’ll be assigned a specific time slot when you book. Arrive at least 10 minutes before your tour starts.
Do I need to book Oxford Castle & Prison tickets in advance?
Strongly recommended. With tours capped at 20 people and running hourly (roughly), they fill up quickly. Booking ahead also saves you money – advance tickets are cheaper than walk-up purchases.
You can book online or turn up on the day and hope for availability. Weekend and school holiday tours often sell out, so don’t risk it unless you’re happy to reschedule.
What you can’t bring:
- Large luggage – store it in onsite lockers in the gift shop
- Prams and pushchairs – leave them in reception where staff will mind them (doorways are too narrow)
- Dogs – except guide dogs or assistance dogs (no dogs allowed up St George’s Tower)
History
Oxford Castle’s story begins in 1071 when William the Conqueror’s men built a wooden motte-and-bailey castle to control Oxford. Within decades, stone replaced wood – St George’s Tower, which still stands, was built around 1020 as part of the Saxon city defences (predating the Norman castle). It’s Oxford’s oldest surviving building.
The castle saw action during the Anarchy (1138–1153), a civil war between King Stephen and Empress Matilda. In 1142, Matilda was besieged inside Oxford Castle by Stephen’s forces. According to legend, she escaped by dressing in white and walking across the frozen Thames through the snow, camouflaged against her pursuers. True or not, she got out, which is more than many later residents managed.
By the 18th century, the castle’s military value had diminished. In 1785, it became a county prison. The Debtors’ Tower was built that year to house people imprisoned for owing money – a common sentence at the time. The Victorian prison wing (D-Wing) was added in 1876, expanding capacity as Oxford’s population grew.
The prison held murderers, thieves, and lesser criminals for over 200 years. Among the most notorious inmates was Mary Blandy, executed in 1752 for poisoning her father with arsenic-laced tea so she could marry her lover. Her ghost supposedly haunts the site. More recently, the prison held Donald Neilson, the “Black Panther,” a vicious murderer and armed robber who terrorised England in the 1970s.
Oxford Prison finally closed in 1996, by which point it was outdated and overcrowded. The buildings sat empty for a decade before reopening as a tourist attraction in 2006. Part of the complex is now a Malmaison hotel – yes, you can sleep in converted prison cells, complete with original ironwork.
Inside Oxford Castle & Prison
Tours are led by costumed guides who play characters from different eras. Mine was a Victorian prison warden, though you might get a medieval soldier or an 18th-century prisoner. They’re knowledgeable and theatrical without being painfully over-the-top, and they genuinely seem to enjoy their jobs.
The tour starts at St George’s Tower, one of Oxford’s oldest buildings. You’ll climb 101 narrow, winding stone steps to the top for panoramic views over Oxford’s “dreaming spires.” It’s worth the climb, though the stairs are steep and the passage narrow. Anyone with mobility issues, claustrophobia, or a fear of heights should know this upfront. If you can’t manage the climb, you can wait at the bottom and watch a video about the castle’s history, then rejoin the group afterwards.
From the tower, you descend into the 900-year-old crypt of St George’s Chapel, a candle-lit Norman space beneath the castle. This atmospheric stone chamber is supposedly where Oxford University’s earliest teaching took place, making it one of the birthplaces of formal education in England. It’s also linked to Arthurian legend – guides claim this is where King Arthur was conceived, though that’s more folklore than fact. The crypt is genuinely eerie, particularly when the guide extinguishes some candles for effect.
Next comes D-Wing, the Victorian prison built in 1876. You’ll walk along prison corridors and peer into cells where real inmates lived until 1996. These aren’t reconstructions – they’re the actual cells, complete with graffiti scratched into walls by bored or desperate prisoners. The austere conditions are confronting: tiny spaces, basic furniture, nothing to do. The guide explains daily routines, punishments, and the harsh realities of Victorian prison life.
The Debtors’ Tower (1785) housed people imprisoned for debt – not criminals in the modern sense, just unfortunates who couldn’t pay what they owed. Conditions here were marginally better than D-Wing, as debtors were considered a different class of inmate.
After the guided section, you’re free to explore independently. The Exhibition Wing contains interactive displays about the prison’s history, including information about notable inmates and the evolution of criminal punishment. There’s a padded cell you can step inside – it has an interactive element that catches visitors off guard (no spoilers, but it’s unsettling).
Finally, you can climb the castle mound, an artificial hill built by Saxon slaves in the 11th century. It’s now just a grassy slope topped by two large trees, but the view from the top shows how strategically positioned the castle was. The climb is optional and not guided.
What’s included with your ticket?
With your tour ticket (£10.57–£20):
- 50-minute guided tour with costumed character guide
- Climb St George’s Tower (101 steps)
- Access to the 900-year-old crypt
- Walk through Victorian prison D-Wing and 18th-century Debtors’ Tower
- Time to explore Exhibition Wing independently after the tour
- Access to padded cell and interactive displays
- Climb the castle mound
- Entry to gift shop
Not included:
- Food and drink (no café on-site, though there’s a Malmaison hotel bar next door)
- Parking (use public car parks – no dedicated visitor parking)
Things to do near Oxford Castle & Prison
Westgate Oxford (100 metres, 1-minute walk) – A modern shopping centre with a rooftop terrace offering views over Oxford’s skyline. Not remotely historic, but useful if you need lunch, toilets, or a Costa. The rooftop is free to access and genuinely provides good views – better than you’d expect from a shopping mall.
Christ Church College (400 metres, 5-minute walk) – Oxford’s grandest and most visited college, founded in 1546. The Great Hall inspired Hogwarts dining hall in the Harry Potter films. You can tour the hall, cathedral, and quad. The staircase where Professor McGonagall greets first-years is here.
The Covered Market (450 metres, 6-minute walk) – A historic market dating from 1774, selling everything from fresh produce to artisan gifts. It’s genuinely used by locals rather than being purely a tourist attraction, which keeps it authentic. Several good cafés and sandwich shops if you’re after lunch.
Modern Art Oxford (500 metres, 7-minute walk) – Contemporary art gallery hosting rotating exhibitions of modern and conceptual art. Clean, bright space that contrasts nicely with Oxford’s ancient architecture. Exhibitions change regularly, so what’s on varies.
Bodleian Library (700 metres, 9-minute walk) – One of Europe’s oldest libraries, dating from 1602. You can’t go inside without a guided tour, but Duke Humfrey’s medieval reading room is spectacular. Tours include the Divinity School, which stood in for Hogwarts hospital wing. Tours must be booked in advance and sell out quickly.
Other museum highlights in Oxford include the Pitt Rivers Museum, the Museum of Natural History, the Story Museum and the Ashmolean Museum.
Practical tips
- Location: In central Oxford, just off New Road, adjacent to the Westgate shopping centre
- Getting there: Oxford railway station is 15 minutes’ walk. Regular buses stop nearby. Use Park and Ride services if driving – central Oxford parking is expensive and limited
- Time needed: 50 minutes for the guided tour, plus 30–45 minutes afterwards if you want to explore the exhibition and climb the mound
- Photography: Allowed throughout the tour and site
- Accessibility: Not wheelchair accessible – the tour involves 101 steps up the tower, stairs throughout the prison, and descending into the crypt. No lifts. If you can’t manage stairs, you’ll miss significant portions of the tour
- Under-5s: Free admission but cannot climb St George’s Tower. They can attend the rest of the tour if well-behaved
- Pushchairs and luggage: Must be left in reception. Storage available
- Crowds: Weekends and school holidays are busiest. Weekday mornings during term time are quietest
- Booking: Advance booking strongly recommended, especially weekends and holidays
- Dress code: None, but wear sensible shoes – you’ll be climbing stairs and walking on uneven surfaces
- Temperature: The crypt is cold year-round. The tower is exposed to weather. Dress accordingly
FAQs
Is it suitable for children?
Depends on the child. The history of crime and punishment can be quite dark – discussions of executions, harsh conditions, and real suffering. Most children over 8 seem fine with it, especially if they’re interested in history or Harry Potter. Younger children (5–7) might find parts frightening, particularly the candle-lit crypt and the padded cell. Under-5s are free but can’t climb the tower, which is the best bit.
How scary is it?
Not genuinely frightening, though the atmosphere in the crypt and prison cells is deliberately eerie. If you’re unsettled by enclosed spaces, dim lighting, or discussions of historical cruelty, you might find parts uncomfortable. It’s not a horror attraction – more atmospheric than scary.
Can I climb the tower if I have mobility issues?
Probably not. There are 101 narrow, winding stone steps with no lift. If you can’t manage stairs, you can watch a video at the bottom and rejoin the group after. The rest of the tour also involves stairs, though fewer and less steep than the tower.
Is there a café?
No on-site café. The Malmaison hotel next door has a bar and restaurant, or the Westgate shopping centre (1 minute away) has multiple food options.
How long is the tour?
Approximately 50 minutes for the guided portion. After that, you’re free to explore the exhibition space and mound at your own pace. Most people spend another 30–45 minutes afterwards.
Can I visit without a tour?
No. Entry is by guided tour only – you can’t explore independently. The castle mound can be accessed separately for £1, but the main buildings require a tour ticket.
Do I need to book?
Strongly recommended. Tours cap at 20 people and sell out, especially weekends and school holidays. You’ll also save money booking in advance.
Is parking available?
No dedicated visitor parking. Use nearby public car parks (paid) or Park and Ride services. The Westgate car park is closest but expensive.
What if I can’t make my booked time?
Depends on your ticket type. Flexi tickets (£20 adults) allow you to change your booking. Advance standard tickets (£16.65) don’t. Check the terms when booking.
Can I take photos?
Yes, throughout the tour and site. No restrictions on personal photography.
