Oxford Castle and Prison

Oxford Castle and Prison, in Oxford

Oxford Castle and Prison is the former castle and former prison of the town, a site laden with history and a thousand years of tales. The Oxford audio-guided tour stops here to evoke this Norman fortress become a prison, a witness of the medieval and carceral past of Oxford.

The Norman fortress become a prison

Oxford Castle and Prison is one of the oldest and most history-laden sites of the town. The castle was built at the end of the eleventh century, shortly after the Norman conquest of England, by Robert d'Oilly, to establish the power of the new masters of the country. Of this medieval fortress survive notably the massive St George's Tower, as well as a castle mound, an artificial mound that formerly supported the keep. Over the centuries, the castle lost its military function and became a prison, which remained in activity until the end of the twentieth century, locking up for hundreds of years all sorts of prisoners. Reconverted, the site is today a place of heritage and tourism, where visits allow to discover the eventful history of the castle and the prison, its dungeons, its legends and its characters. A witness of a thousand years of history, power and justice, Oxford Castle and Prison is a captivating stop of the discovery of Oxford.

What to see

Here you discover the former castle and former prison of the town, a fortress built at the end of the eleventh century after the Norman conquest by Robert d'Oilly, of which survive the massive St George's Tower and the castle mound, become a prison in activity until the end of the twentieth century, today a heritage site with visits evoking its history, its dungeons and its legends. Oxford Castle and Prison testifies to a thousand years of history. It is a captivating stop, to be explored on foot.

Practical information

Oxford Castle and Prison lies in the heart of Oxford, reachable on foot. The visit of the site and its historic spaces follows its own hours and conditions, which vary. It is best to check the arrangements before coming.

What is the history of Oxford Castle and Prison?

The castle was built at the end of the eleventh century after the Norman conquest by Robert d'Oilly; the St George's Tower and the castle mound survive of it. Become a prison in activity until the end of the twentieth century, the site is today a place of heritage and tourism.

Where is Oxford Castle and Prison?

In the heart of Oxford, in England.