OCP Guided Tour Hero

Guided Tour

  • 1st Jan - 31st Dec 2026
  • 10am - 5pm
  • Adult £15 | Child £10 | Student £14.50

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Step Back 1,000 Years in the Heart of Oxford

Crack the code to a great day out with an indoor guided tour by a costumed expert! Roam Saxon towers, Victorian cells and more. Open year round.

There’s no wandering and wondering here. Instead, costumed guides lead the way through the 1000 years of twists and turns. While sharing tales of everything from Viking raids to Victorian justice.

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About the Tour

Royals, Rogues, and Rebels

Our expert guides lead you on an immersive walk through legends and life behind bars. 

Hear vivid stories of those who lived, worked and served time within these ancient walls. From the castle’s early military origins, it became a prison in the 1500s before finally closing in 1996.

Discover how Oxford’s educational heritage began, how law and punishment evolved, and why this remains one of the city’s most fascinating attractions.

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OCP Guided Tour 10

What to Expect

Inside the Labyrinth

  • Guided Experience: Tours run frequently throughout the day - about 50 minutes for the core tour, with extra time available to explore exhibitions afterwards.
  • Candle‑lit Crypt: Descend into the atmospheric Norman crypt with connections to King Arthur. 
  • Prison Cells: Step inside 18th‑century cells once home to desperate criminals and infamous inmates.
  • Stunning Views: Climb the 101 steps of the Saxon St. George’s Tower for panoramic views across Oxford.
  • Prison Mug Shot: Be captured red-handed on camera. 
  • Gift Shop: Spoil yourself with unique souvenirs and treats. 

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OCP Guided Tour 3

Plan Your Visit

The Finer Details

  • Tour Times: Every 20-30 minutes from 10am to 5pm. Runs daily. 
  • Tour Length: The Oxford Castle Prison guided tours last around 50 minutes - 1 hour, with time afterwards to explore exhibitions. 
  • Tour Size: Maximum 20 people. Group offers available. 
  • Booking Advice: Pre‑booking is recommended to secure your preferred time and save on admission.
  • Location: OX1 1AY In Oxford’s Castle Quarter. Just a short walk from Oxford's rail and bus stations. 
  • Accessibility: As a historic building, there are uneven floors and steep steps; alternative viewing options are available. Please visit our accessibility page for more information. 

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Frequently Asked Questions

The guided tour itself lasts around 50 minutes to 1 hour, and afterwards you can explore the exhibition and prison at your own pace.

Tours run daily from around 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, with multiple start times throughout the day.

When you arrive, go to the Gift Shop where a member of the Guest Services team will check you in. It’s best to arrive about 10 minutes before your tour.

Yes. The tour includes a climb up 101 steps of St. George’s Tower for panoramic views of Oxford. However, children under 5 cannot climb due to safety reasons.

Children under 5 go free but must be registered for safety reasons, and they cannot climb St. George’s Tower.

Tours are conducted in English, but translation sheets are available in several languages (e.g. French, German, Italian, Spanish, Chinese).

Due to the historic nature of the site, not all areas are accessible, including the tower and some cells, so please read our accessibility page before booking.

On the guided tour you’ll ascend St. George's Tower, descend into the candle‑lit crypt, explore 18th‑century prison cells, and learn about over 1000 years of history from Vikings and Normans through to Victorian justice.

It’s recommended to book your guided tour online in advance because tour capacity is limited, though walk‑up tickets may be available on the day.

Before your tour, arrive about 10 minutes early, check your confirmation email for booking details, and note that there's no on‑site car parking available, so you’ll need to use nearby city or park & ride parking. Please visit our Know Before You Go page for full details.

Guide dogs and assistance dogs are allowed within the prison and the Mound. However, for health and safety reasons, no dogs are allowed to climb St. George’s Tower.

Prams & pushchairs do not fit through all our doors, so they need to be left in the reception area where they will be looked after by a member of the team.

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