Oxford Castle

Oxford, United Kingdom

Open to visitors

The interior is normally open, possibly ticketed.

Strollie cannot guarantee access — always check before you travel.

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Oxford Castle is a large, partly ruined medieval fortress on the western side of central Oxford, built largely in stone during the late 12th or early 13th century, replacing an earlier Norman motte and bailey structure. Constructed of coral rag and gravel, the castle played a significant military role during the Anarchy but declined in strategic importance by the 14th century, when it transitioned to administrative and penal use. The surviving rectangular St George's Tower, now believed to predate the main castle, originally served as a watch tower guarding the Saxon west gate. Heavily damaged during the English Civil War, the site was converted into Oxford's county prison from 1785, expanded in 1876 as HM Prison Oxford, and operated until 1996. The medieval remains—including the motte, St George's Tower, and crypt—survive as Grade I listed buildings and a Scheduled Monument, and the site has since been redeveloped as a hotel and visitor attraction.