Castle Prison

Up and Coming Events at the Castle:

All talks take place at The Key Learning Centre, Oxford Castle - Unlocked, 44-46 Oxford Castle, Oxford OX1 1AY.  To book, call 01865 260668 or visit Oxford Castle - Unlocked

  • Artweeks at Oxford Castle Unlocked
    Saturday 03 May 2008 11am - 4pm
    The Oxford Castle complex will be hosting a spectacular Art Fair where local artists will be portraying the ancient buildings.
  • Bones, Burials and Beheadings: the contribution of burial archaeology to understanding Oxfordshire’s past
    Thursday 15 May 2008 6pm-7.30pm
    Dr Louise Loe of Oxford Archaeology explains how specialists decipher the mysteries of excavated skeletons, including those found at Oxford Castle, and offers a fascinating insight into past burial practices. £5pp.

What's there?

Carluccio's Caffe

42 Oxford Castle

01865 249738

Tootsies Burgers

41 Oxford Castle

01865 791715

Ha!Ha! Bar & Canteen

40 Oxford Castle

07890 292764

Malmaison Brasserie

3 Oxford Castle

0845 365 4247

O3 Art Gallery

Oxford Castle

01865 201782

Pizza Express

6 Oxford Castle

01865 723400

Prezzo

2 Oxford Castle

01865 791748

La Tasca Tapas Bar

5 Oxford Castle

01865 246464

Malmaison Hotel

3 Oxford Castle

0845 365 4247

Krispy Kreme Doughnuts

Entranceway

01865 794211

Cafe Food

Adjacent to Mound

01865 205034

History of the Castle Prison:

The castle was originally built in 1071 for William the Conqueror, to enable the Normans to control the area. A prison was built within the castle, which continued to be in use until 1996.

The prison was mainly used to house prisoners from Oxfordshire and Berkshire, and also the University's 'rebellious scholars' (as recorded in 1236). From 1613 until 1785, the prison and castle were owned by Christ Church, who leased the jail (gaol) to prison keepers. In 1785 it was redeveloped into a prison and house of correction, with a tower on which they held public executions. The last execution was in 1863.

A large, grassy mound, St. George's Tower, and the base of a round tower still remain, and will be included in the design of the area.

* Events listed in purple denote child friendly activities



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