Oxford Castle & Prison
Oxford Castle & Prison
4.6
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Oxford Castle & Prison explores the 1000-years of Oxford's History. Led by one of our costumed characters, the rich history of the castle with a prison at its heart will be revealed to you. Climb St. George's Tower and take in the stunning views before descending into the atmospheric crypt, along the 18th century prison wing and into archaic man-made mound.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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4.6
3,986 reviews
Excellent
2,778
Very good
906
Average
207
Poor
60
Terrible
35
Martin W
4 contributions
Dec 2024 • Couples
After spending a wonderful three days at Heythrop Park we decided to spend a few hours in Oxford before we headed home.
We looked at a number of attractions and after taking a look at the online booking application we decided that the Castle and Prison tour would fit in nicely with the time that we had available so we booked two tickets and started driving towards Oxford.
The tour guide, (a very knowledgeable young lady), could not have been more engaging with our group and her genuine enthusiasm for the history relating to both the Castle and the Prison was very well received and made the experience all the more enjoyable.
I would highly recommend this tour to anybody who would like to learn a little more about the city of Oxford.
We looked at a number of attractions and after taking a look at the online booking application we decided that the Castle and Prison tour would fit in nicely with the time that we had available so we booked two tickets and started driving towards Oxford.
The tour guide, (a very knowledgeable young lady), could not have been more engaging with our group and her genuine enthusiasm for the history relating to both the Castle and the Prison was very well received and made the experience all the more enjoyable.
I would highly recommend this tour to anybody who would like to learn a little more about the city of Oxford.
Written 19 December 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Martin,
What a lovely review, we're so glad that you enjoyed the tour, and enjoyed learning about the history of the site!
Many thanks for taking the time to leave us a review.
We hope to welcome you again! Helen, Operations Manager at Oxford Castle & Prison - part of Continuum Attractions
Written 20 December 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
John G
Oxford, UK222 contributions
Apr 2024 • Family
Having lived in and around Oxford for our entire life, we’ve never been to the Castle & Prison before but we’re glad we did! There is so much history encapsulated here, and our knowledgeable guide (Jade) did a wonderful job of telling us the complete back story in our tour of the site.
So many visitors to Oxford must come for the Universities and Colleges, but if they miss the Castle & Prison then they’ve missed out on an opportunity to learn about the history Oxford.
An added bonus is that the tour is largely (excluding the Tower) indoors so when the British weather isn’t playing ball this represents the perfect opportunity to dodge the showers and expand your knowledge.
There was also an activity for the kids in full swing when we did our tour with a specific shout out to the “Dragon Master” (Tommy) was putting smiles on the faces of the parents and children alike with his stories and interactions.
So many visitors to Oxford must come for the Universities and Colleges, but if they miss the Castle & Prison then they’ve missed out on an opportunity to learn about the history Oxford.
An added bonus is that the tour is largely (excluding the Tower) indoors so when the British weather isn’t playing ball this represents the perfect opportunity to dodge the showers and expand your knowledge.
There was also an activity for the kids in full swing when we did our tour with a specific shout out to the “Dragon Master” (Tommy) was putting smiles on the faces of the parents and children alike with his stories and interactions.
Written 15 April 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thankyou so much for your review; the team are so happy you enjoyed your visit! Jade is a brilliant team member, and will be so glad you enjoyed her tour.
We appreciate your kind words, and hope to see you again!
Written 17 April 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Lisa S
12 contributions
Aug 2024 • Family
My son and I had a day out in Oxford, I had booked him onto Knight school as a surprise treat. What an amazing experience! It was an hour long experience where he had a try at archery, jousting and learned sword skills. At the end all children were knighted and received a certificate and got to keep their wooden sword. For £14 per child (you didn't have to pay admission into the castle as it was in the courtyard) I felt it was a brilliant experience. Everyone involved was wonderful and the young lady knight running things definitely deserves a medal for handling all those crazy kids. This is a must if you have kids and are visiting Oxford for the day!
Written 11 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for your review. We are so pleased your son had such a great experience and hope to see you both back for all the exciting events coming up! We will pass this lovely feedback onto our knight who ran the workshop. Thank you for visiting and see you soon!
Written 13 August 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Rene'
Sacramento, CA41 contributions
Dec 2024 • Solo
This was such an interesting and intriguing tour. I attended during the Christmas holiday so the guide was in period attire and used a lantern, which she reported was only during the holidays. There were several children 11 and under on this tour and at least one who was maybe 6, got quite scared so I would recommend considering the age of any children you accompany. Jade was a great guide and maybe glad we didn’t get Matt? 😆🤣 (had to be there joke) Lots of history and information you may not imagine.
Written 2 January 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for the 5-star review! We're pleased to hear you enjoyed our lantern-led tour and learning about our history.
We've also shared your review with Jade!
We hope you have a lovely day.
Written 20 January 2025
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Ken V
Bristol, UK11 contributions
Mar 2025 • Family
Kayley was a brilliant, clear, entertaining, interesting guide. We all loved the tour of castle and prison, 14 of us from age 9 to 80. One of the teenagers said, ‘Even I liked it.’ Those who were hard of hearing could hear well. Great storytelling.
Written 15 March 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi there - thanks so much for your lovely review. We're really pleased to hear the visit was enjoyed by all ages, and it's certainly important to us that everyone can hear the stories! Many thanks for the review.
Written 20 March 2025
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Gareth T
1 contribution
Apr 2024 • Family
We had a fascinating tour of a beautifully maintained and clean exhibit.
However, the tour was made extra special by the very talented, and caring, Emily. Our daughter has ADHD and Autism, can be overly social, quite impatient and very chatty in these situations but Emily was patiently amazing with her throughout. Remaining ‘in character’ and providing great in-depth knowledge of the facility itself, Emily demonstrated humour and warmth throughout the tour.
As a result we all had a great time and would happily recommend this to any family wishing to attend. Just cross your fingers for an Emily to lead you the way!!
However, the tour was made extra special by the very talented, and caring, Emily. Our daughter has ADHD and Autism, can be overly social, quite impatient and very chatty in these situations but Emily was patiently amazing with her throughout. Remaining ‘in character’ and providing great in-depth knowledge of the facility itself, Emily demonstrated humour and warmth throughout the tour.
As a result we all had a great time and would happily recommend this to any family wishing to attend. Just cross your fingers for an Emily to lead you the way!!
Written 8 April 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for your review. We are so pleased you and your family enjoyed your visit and had a great tour. Emily is a fantastic tour guide and we will pass on this feedback. Thank you for visiting and we hope to see you again!
Written 16 August 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
VintageDM
Lexington, MA263 contributions
Feb 2025 • Couples
Staying at the connected hotel, so found out about the castle prison tour at checkin. When we showed up for tour Will briefed it would be 60 minutes...I asked my wife how we would spend that long in a small facility. Easy. Will and Emily hit a home run with all the tales and history of the prison. Great tour guides and tour.
Written 17 February 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Whc3, your satisfaction is our top priority.
Written 21 February 2025
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Hazel L
Hampton Hill, UK2 contributions
Oct 2024 • Friends
The guided tour really made the jail come alive and worth the £18. Without the guide it would have seemed overpriced as you can't access a large area. I would have been interested to view the main section but this is now a hotel. The audio visual in the padded cell was good. The written displays didn't grab my attention much but an interesting visit to fill a wet afternoon.
Written 28 October 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Hazel L,
Many thanks for your review, we're pleased to hear you enjoyed the experience and the tour. If you're passing by the area again, the Malmaison hotel do let visitors pop in to look at one of their older cells, so you can always pop in and ask. We're so glad you found the experience interesting, and hope to see you back!
Helen, Operations Manager at Oxford Castle & Prison - part of Continuum Attractions
Written 8 November 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Happy
Singapore, Singapore408 contributions
May 2024 • Couples
Admission comes with guided tour. You can book online but walk-in during non peak season is slightly cheaper. The history of this prison is shared. There is a lot of narrow stairs to walk up and down. I counted 100 steps. Wear comfortable shoes.
Written 5 May 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for your review! We’re so glad you enjoyed your visit and hope to see you again soon - The Oxford Castle & Prison Team, Part of Continuum Attractions
Written 8 May 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
BirdieS
Hillingdon, UK51 contributions
Dec 2024 • Family
Simply a MUST SEE if you’re visiting Oxford. The tour of the castle and prison take’s approx 1.5 hours. There are quite a few steep and narrow stairs to manoeuvre but plenty of time and the 100 steps to the top of the tower is optional but well worth doing for the views.
Ellie was our tour guide and she was magnificent in terms of her knowledge, enthusiasm and engagement.
The tour is interactive and held our interest. Staff are friendly and professional. Advance booking is a MUST.
The gift shop is on the expensive side as can be expected.
Ellie was our tour guide and she was magnificent in terms of her knowledge, enthusiasm and engagement.
The tour is interactive and held our interest. Staff are friendly and professional. Advance booking is a MUST.
The gift shop is on the expensive side as can be expected.
Written 31 December 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for the 5 star review!
We hope you visit us again in the future and enjoy some of our seasonal events and experiences.
Written 20 January 2025
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
How accessible is the castle and prison
Written 29 April 2019
The main tower isn’t accessible for (I think) under 5’s. It’s also got a lot of steps in a tight spiral staircase. If any of your party can’t go up the tower then they put a video on downstairs for you to watch
Written 2 May 2019
Is it cheaper to buy tickets in advance?
Written 11 February 2019
Sorry, no idea but it may just ensure you get on the tour at a time preferable to you rather than take a chance
Written 13 February 2019
Is it likely you can get on a tour on a Saturday without booking in advance? Thanks
Written 26 October 2018
Hello there!
If you want to visit us at a specific time, we would highly recommend booking in advance. Otherwise, if you're relaxed on which timed tour you go on, then we would say just turn up on the day and book that way. It's entirely up to you!
To prebook, either call 01865 260666 or visit our website.
Thank you!
Written 29 October 2018
Will this be a good place to go with a 3 year old?
Written 17 November 2016
There were about three children under 5 on the tour I went on and the guide made it entertaining for them, so I'm sure your children will enjoy it!
Written 5 November 2017
My 11 year old daughter does not like mannequins/ models of people and can be a bit nervous. Will this be scary?
Written 28 August 2016
The guides are all dressed as the personalities of the time. I don't recall mannequins
Written 2 April 2017
What times are the tours on and for which days? The tours sound fab!
Written 12 July 2016
We are open every day with tours every 20 minutes. The first Tour is at 10.00 and the last one at 4.20.
Written 29 July 2016
Do I have to purchase tickets in advance? Are there a lot of stairs to climb?
Written 16 March 2015
You do not neem to purchase tickets in advance: we purchased (with luck) 1 minute before the last tour of the day started.
In total it is a climb with 101 steps, but you actually do this in 2 steps: first I believe 42 steps and second part is to the top with remaining 59 steps. After that you go down in 1 go. The steps are with differing heights.
Written 6 June 2016
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