Oxford Castle and Prison Guided Tour
Your tour begins at the time you chose at checkout. Remember to meet at Oxford Castle Quarter, and bring a paper or electronic voucher with you. Travel back in time as your costumed guide tells of what it was like when their character was around. Walk up 30 feet (9 meters) of steps at St. George’s Tower. When you make it to the top, bust out your camera and snap some photos of Oxford's so-called dreaming spires. Now it’s underground you go as you head down to the 900-year-old crypt, the only remains left of St. George’s Chapel. It’s said that St. George’s Chapel is where the education of Oxford started. Plus, some even believe this area is haunted by a ghost or two. Feel the eerie aura when you explore the 18th-century Debtors’ Tower and prison’s D-Wing. Then, take a look at the castle mound before you set off to explore the prison and larger site at your own leisure.
Highlights
- ✓1-hour tour of Oxford Castle led by a costumed character guide
- ✓Climb St. George’s Tower for stunning views of the city's skyline
- ✓Discover the history behind the mound of the 11th-century castle
- ✓Venture underground to the castle’s 900-year-old crypt, the only remains left of St. George’s Chapel
- ✓See the Debtors’ Tower and prison's D-Wing, then explore the prison and larger site at your own leisure
- ✓Choose your own tour time (tour runs every 20 minutes between 10am and 4:20pm)
- ✓Tour is wheelchair accessible
What you'll see & do
- ✓Take a guided tour today and let the characters reveal their fascinating stories entrenched in the building’s 1,000 year history. When William the Conqueror invaded England and won the Battle of Hastings in 1066, Oxford Castle was marked by the Normans as the ideal place for a motte-and-bailey castle. Today, after almost one millennia, Oxford Castle & Prison is a visitor attraction with a past stretching far beyond your imagination. Guided tours last approx. an hour and run every 20 minutes and are led by one of the castle's costumed character guides. The rich history of Oxford and the castle is revealed as you climb the Saxon St George’s Tower, one of the oldest buildings in Oxford, and enjoy its stunning 360° panoramic views over the historic city of Oxford. Then, descend deep underground into the dark atmosphere of the 900 year old crypt, the only surviving remains of St. George’s Chapel where it is said, began the education for which Oxford is famed, and where Geoffrey of Monmouth penned the Legends of King Arthur. Explore the austere confines of the 18th century Debtors’ Tower and Prison D-Wing and scale the Mound of the 11th century motte-and-bailey castle. After your tour, you will be inducted into the castle’s prison and wider site where you will be able to explore at your own leisure. Admission to the castle is by guided tour only.
What's included
- ✓Costumed Character Guide
- ✓Guided Tour
What's not included
- ✓Souvenir photos (available to purchase)
Good to know
Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Public transportation options are available nearby
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Children under 5 years of age will not be permitted access to St George’s Tower due to health and safety regulations.
Visitors unable to climb the tower may wait at the bottom with a guardian and watch our “Story of Oxford Castle” video. Once the tour group returns from the Tower, you are then able to rejoin your group as the tour continues. To find out more about this policy, click here to view our access information.
Due to the historical nature of the building Prams & Pushchairs do not fit through our doors, so they need to be left in the reception area where they will be looked after from a member of our team.
Payment must be made at the time of booking by credit or debit card (Visa, Mastercard, Switch or Delta).
No dogs are allowed in the attraction, the mound, Castleyard Cafe or the gift shop except for guide dogs.
Opening times may be subject to change; for up-to-date information on admission prices and opening times, please telephone our information line on +44(0)1865 260666
Cancellation policy
- •A full refund will apply if you cancel more than 24 hours before the activity start time.
- •No refund is possible if you cancel less than 24 hours before the activity start time.
Oxford Castle and Prison Guided Tour
Your tour begins at the time you chose at checkout. Remember to meet at Oxford Castle Quarter, and bring a paper or electronic voucher with you. Travel back in time as your costumed guide tells of what it was like when their character was around. Walk up 30 feet (9 meters) of steps at St. George’s Tower. When you make it to the top, bust out your camera and snap some photos of Oxford's so-called dreaming spires. Now it’s underground you go as you head down to the 900-year-old crypt, the only remains left of St. George’s Chapel. It’s said that St. George’s Chapel is where the education of Oxford started. Plus, some even believe this area is haunted by a ghost or two. Feel the eerie aura when you explore the 18th-century Debtors’ Tower and prison’s D-Wing. Then, take a look at the castle mound before you set off to explore the prison and larger site at your own leisure.
Highlights
- ✓1-hour tour of Oxford Castle led by a costumed character guide
- ✓Climb St. George’s Tower for stunning views of the city's skyline
- ✓Discover the history behind the mound of the 11th-century castle
- ✓Venture underground to the castle’s 900-year-old crypt, the only remains left of St. George’s Chapel
- ✓See the Debtors’ Tower and prison's D-Wing, then explore the prison and larger site at your own leisure
- ✓Choose your own tour time (tour runs every 20 minutes between 10am and 4:20pm)
- ✓Tour is wheelchair accessible
What you'll see & do
- ✓Take a guided tour today and let the characters reveal their fascinating stories entrenched in the building’s 1,000 year history. When William the Conqueror invaded England and won the Battle of Hastings in 1066, Oxford Castle was marked by the Normans as the ideal place for a motte-and-bailey castle. Today, after almost one millennia, Oxford Castle & Prison is a visitor attraction with a past stretching far beyond your imagination. Guided tours last approx. an hour and run every 20 minutes and are led by one of the castle's costumed character guides. The rich history of Oxford and the castle is revealed as you climb the Saxon St George’s Tower, one of the oldest buildings in Oxford, and enjoy its stunning 360° panoramic views over the historic city of Oxford. Then, descend deep underground into the dark atmosphere of the 900 year old crypt, the only surviving remains of St. George’s Chapel where it is said, began the education for which Oxford is famed, and where Geoffrey of Monmouth penned the Legends of King Arthur. Explore the austere confines of the 18th century Debtors’ Tower and Prison D-Wing and scale the Mound of the 11th century motte-and-bailey castle. After your tour, you will be inducted into the castle’s prison and wider site where you will be able to explore at your own leisure. Admission to the castle is by guided tour only.
What's included
- ✓Costumed Character Guide
- ✓Guided Tour
What's not included
- ✓Souvenir photos (available to purchase)
Good to know
Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Public transportation options are available nearby
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Children under 5 years of age will not be permitted access to St George’s Tower due to health and safety regulations.
Visitors unable to climb the tower may wait at the bottom with a guardian and watch our “Story of Oxford Castle” video. Once the tour group returns from the Tower, you are then able to rejoin your group as the tour continues. To find out more about this policy, click here to view our access information.
Due to the historical nature of the building Prams & Pushchairs do not fit through our doors, so they need to be left in the reception area where they will be looked after from a member of our team.
Payment must be made at the time of booking by credit or debit card (Visa, Mastercard, Switch or Delta).
No dogs are allowed in the attraction, the mound, Castleyard Cafe or the gift shop except for guide dogs.
Opening times may be subject to change; for up-to-date information on admission prices and opening times, please telephone our information line on +44(0)1865 260666
Cancellation policy
- •A full refund will apply if you cancel more than 24 hours before the activity start time.
- •No refund is possible if you cancel less than 24 hours before the activity start time.