Oxford Castle and Prison Guided Tour: 1,000 Years of History
The crypt where Oxford University is said to have started lies 900 years underground.
A guided tour of Oxford Castle and Prison lasts around an hour, led by a costumed character guide who takes you through 1,000 years of the building's history. You climb St George's Tower for panoramic views over Oxford, descend into the atmospheric crypt of St George's Chapel, explore the 18th-century prison wings, and scale the mound of the 11th-century motte-and-bailey castle. After the tour, you explore the site at your own pace and can dress as a prisoner in the exhibition space.
Step-by-step itinerary
Explore Oxford Castle and Prison history
- Join costumed guided tour
- Climb St George’s Tower
- Enjoy panoramic city views
- Descend into 900-year-old crypt
- Learn about Oxford University origins
- Explore Debtors’ Tower and Prison D-Wing
- Climb motte-and-bailey castle mound
- Explore prison cells at leisure
- Dress up in prisoner exhibition
What’s included
- Costumed character guide leading the tour.
- access to St George's Tower with panoramic city views.
- entry to the 900-year-old crypt of St George's Chapel.
- exploration of the 18th-century Debtors' Tower and Prison D-Wing.
- free access to the prison cells after the tour.
- the exhibition space where you can dress as a prisoner.
- the mound of the 11th-century motte-and-bailey castle.
Times
- Monday to Friday 10:00 10:20 10:30 10:40 11:00 11:20 11:40 11:45 12:00 12:15 12:40 13:00 13:20 13:30 14:20 14:30 14:40 15:00 15:40 15:45 16:00 16:15 16:20
- Saturday 10:00 10:20 10:40 11:20 11:40 12:00 12:40 13:00 13:20 14:20 14:40 15:00 15:40 16:00 16:20
- Sunday 10:00 10:20 10:40 11:20 11:40 12:00 12:40 13:00 13:20 14:20 14:40 15:40 16:00
Information
Guided tour of Oxford Castle and Prison with costumed character guide, climbing St George's Tower for 360° views and descending into the 900-year-old.
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Traveler reviews
The experience
The tour runs every 20 minutes and moves at a steady pace through the castle's layers. Your costumed guide reveals the stories of Empress Matilda, Mary Blandy and other figures tied to the building, starting with the Norman motte-and-bailey castle marked out by William the Conqueror's forces after 1066. The route takes you up the Saxon St George's Tower, one of Oxford's oldest buildings, where the 360-degree views stretch across the historic city.
From the tower you descend into the crypt of St George's Chapel, the only surviving remains of a 900-year-old structure where Geoffrey of Monmouth is said to have written the Legends of King Arthur and where Oxford University education is rumoured to have begun. The guide walks you through the austere 18th-century Debtors' Tower and Prison D-Wing, showing the confines where inmates lived, then leads you to climb the earthen mound that marks the castle's Norman foundations.
Once the guided portion ends, you have free access to explore the prison cells, dress up in period costume in the exhibition space, and wander the grounds at your own pace. Children under 5 cannot access St George's Tower, though a guardian can wait at the base and rejoin the group once it returns. Prams and pushchairs must be left at reception as they don't fit through the building's historical doorways.
Top questions
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 15 years); Infant (under 6).
How long does the guided tour of Oxford Castle and Prison take?
The guided tour lasts around an hour and runs every 20 minutes throughout the day, led by a costumed character guide.
What is St George's Tower and what will I see from the top?
St George's Tower is one of Oxford's oldest buildings, a Saxon structure that is part of the original Norman castle. From the top you get 360-degree panoramic views across the historic city of Oxford.
Can I visit the crypt and what is its significance?
Yes, the crypt of St George's Chapel is a 900-year-old underground chamber you descend into during the tour. It is the only surviving remains of the chapel and is said to be where Oxford University education began and where Geoffrey of Monmouth wrote the Legends of King Arthur.
What can I do after the guided tour ends?
After the tour, you have free access to explore the prison cells at your own pace, dress up as a prisoner in the exhibition space, and climb the mound of the 11th-century motte-and-bailey castle.
Operated by Oxford Castle & Prison. Explorevia does not run this tour: we compare it with similar options, and you book it with our booking partner.
Prices and times updated today
Oxford Castle and Prison Guided Tour: 1,000 Years of History
1h · EN
from £ 21 per person
≈ US$ 28 in your currency
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