Fun & Games
2–3 hours
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this booking up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
Recommended by 97% of travellers
97% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
from
£24
per group
Oxford Castle & Prison
Oxford Castle & Prison
4.5
Historic SitesCultural ToursHistorical & Heritage ToursCastles
10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Full view
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.
Oxford, Oxfordshire, England
Awards
Travellers' Choice
2023
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Audio Guides
40 minutes
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this booking up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
from
£18
per adult
Audio Guides
1 day
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this booking up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
Recommended by 96% of travellers
96% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
from
£18
per adult
Fun & Games
4 hours
Taking safety measures
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this booking up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
from
£15
per group
Travellers talk about
(283 reviews)
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.5
3,329 reviews
Excellent
2,203
Very good
854
Average
192
Poor
51
Terrible
30
r0se1510
kidderminster29 contributions
Nov 2023 • Friends
Our guide Natalia was brilliant . She bought the last to life . The tour was informative and spooky . Very much recommended.
Written 29 November 2023
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.
GrandTour25652617645
1 contribution
Nov 2023 • Couples
Very interesting tour of Oxford castle and prison. Our tour guide Emily was both knowledgeable and entertaining.
Written 27 November 2023
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.
We're really glad you enjoyed it! We'll pass on your compliments to Emily.
Written 29 November 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jet192094
Pinole, CA1 contribution
Nov 2023 • Family
This tour was better than than expected, Ellie our tour guide did a great job. She was even able to keep my two teenage daughters interested throughout the tour! Fascinating history lesson, great gift shop and funny photos. A+
Written 27 November 2023
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.
We're so glad we surprised you, and your daughters! :)
Written 29 November 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Hugh Tierney T
2 contributions
Nov 2023 • Family
Having a tour of the prison gives a very real sense of what it is to be a captive, because the tour guide's presentation was awful and it's very difficult to escape from.
I'd describe the presentation as glib, patronising and having a jocular tone not suited to the subject in question. The view from the tower is less than impressive, being that there is a wealth of bland concrete architecture from the 1970s in most directions, but the blame for that, I suppose, lies with Oxford City Council's planning department.
I'd describe the presentation as glib, patronising and having a jocular tone not suited to the subject in question. The view from the tower is less than impressive, being that there is a wealth of bland concrete architecture from the 1970s in most directions, but the blame for that, I suppose, lies with Oxford City Council's planning department.
Written 27 November 2023
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 your feedback and we're sorry to hear that you left underwhelmed by our 1000 year old tower, with views of the city, spires and surrounding countryside. We're proud of the approach our guides take in telling the story of the castle & prison and the balance we strike between the horrors of the attraction's history and our desire to provide a warm, authentic and unstuffy introduction to Oxford's history.
Written 29 November 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
DVB67
Purley, UK61 contributions
Nov 2023 • Solo
Very interesting visit with an enjoyable tour guide (Natalia). I was on one of the last tours and I would advise an earlier one if you want to take your time with the exhibition at the end which was also very interesting.
Written 27 November 2023
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 taking the time to leave us a five-star review! We really appreciate your feedback.
We are so happy to hear that Natalia made your tour so interesting.
We hope you visit us again in the future.
The Oxford Castle & Prison Team
Part of Continuum Attractions
Written 28 November 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Explore39131264249
1 contribution
Nov 2023 • Family
I have been on many guided tours around historic places but our tour guide today, Katie' turned what could have been an interesting visit into a torment.
Her delivery was patronising, condescending and utterly banal. So ghastly was her delivery that my brother made his escape whilst I and my two offspring latched onto a following tour.
The following guide was much better but it became apparent that there was a commonality in the training that the guides had been given to force bonhomie.
Her delivery was patronising, condescending and utterly banal. So ghastly was her delivery that my brother made his escape whilst I and my two offspring latched onto a following tour.
The following guide was much better but it became apparent that there was a commonality in the training that the guides had been given to force bonhomie.
Written 26 November 2023
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.
Thanks for your feedback. We work hard to be warm and welcoming to our guests, and we pride ourselves on the feedback we receive for our tours. We're sorry to hear that in your case this was not the tone and approach you were looking for; but we hope to welcome you back soon.
Written 29 November 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
dawlishtraveller
Dawlish, UK227 contributions
Nov 2023 • Friends
One word sums up this place - WOW!!!
Really made so interesting by our knowledgeable, interesting guide. She certainly knew her stuff, and brought it to life so magnificently. We enjoyed every minute, and would thoroughly recommend to anyone.
Really made so interesting by our knowledgeable, interesting guide. She certainly knew her stuff, and brought it to life so magnificently. We enjoyed every minute, and would thoroughly recommend to anyone.
Written 21 November 2023
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.
Thanks so much for your kind words, we really appreciate the five-star review! It's great to hear that your guide made your visit to Oxford Castle & Prison a truly enjoyable and memorable one.
The team will be really pleased you enjoyed the visit.
The Oxford Castle & Prison Team
Part of Continuum Attractions
Written 22 November 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Martin W
1 contribution
Nov 2023 • Couples
Lovely visit and good value. AIDAN was a brilliant guide and amusing too.
Much history to be told and all of it very interesting
Much history to be told and all of it very interesting
Written 21 November 2023
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 fantastic five-star review! We're thrilled to hear that Aidan made your visit memorable and so interesting. Your feedback means a lot to us!
We hope you can visit us again soon.
The Oxford Castle & Prison Team
Part of Continuum Attractions
Written 22 November 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Adventure20916758092
3 contributions
Nov 2023 • Friends
Great fun and super informative. Melissa is a great tour host! An amazingly well preserved bit of history
Written 18 November 2023
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.
Thanks for your five-star review! We are really happy that Melissa our tour guide made your visit so interesting and enjoyable visit.
Thank you for coming and we hope to see you again soon.
The Oxford Castle & Prison Team
Part of Continuum Attractions
Written 20 November 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Simon A
2 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
Excellent tour. Melissa is a great tour guide. Very informative and very cool to see the various rooms of the old castle.
Written 18 November 2023
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.
Thanks for your five-star review! We're glad you enjoyed the tour with Melissa, exploring the castle.
We hope to see you again soon!
The Oxford Castle & Prison Team
Part of Continuum Attractions
Written 20 November 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Mireille
Belem, PA1 contribution
How long is the tour?
Marie Louise Duer
Bern, Switzerland83 contributions
Around 50 minutes.
AnnieMadge
Swansea, UK16 contributions
How accessible is the castle and prison
Lucy M
Abingdon, UK71 contributions
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
clarkrfamily
Bodmin, UK114 contributions
Is it cheaper to buy tickets in advance?
Sally H
Chesterfield, UK116 contributions
Sorry, no idea but it may just ensure you get on the tour at a time preferable to you rather than take a chance
MrsC1001
Faringdon, UK70 contributions
Is it likely you can get on a tour on a Saturday without booking in advance? Thanks
Oxford Castle & Prison
Oxford, UK5 contributions
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!
lil d
Albuquerque, NM102 contributions
Will this be a good place to go with a 3 year old?
Michelle G
24 contributions
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!
SlackerHacker
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia35 contributions
What times are the tours on and for which days? The tours sound fab!
Oxford Castle & Prison
Oxford, UK5 contributions
We are open every day with tours every 20 minutes. The first Tour is at 10.00 and the last one at 4.20.
John B
Cambridge, Canada2 contributions
Do I have to purchase tickets in advance? Are there a lot of stairs to climb?
NL_Frank
Tilburg, The Netherlands369 contributions
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.