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Oxford Castle

Oxford Castle: Our most recommended tours and activities

City Sightseeing Oxford Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour

1. City Sightseeing Oxford Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour

Home to the oldest University in Britain, Oxford is an architectural marvel. You'll get fantastic views of its honey colored buildings as well as tantalizing glimpses of the hushed courtyards of its many Colleges. Visit the International award winning Oxford Castle Heritage area and you'll travel by the Ashmolean, the Sheldonian, the historic Carfax junction - see this and more on the City Sightseeing tour of Oxford. Your Tour Itinerary Stop 1 - Railway Station Stop 2 - Park End Street Stop 3 - Bus Station Stop 4 - New Road Stop 5 - West Gate  Stop 6 - Speedwell Street Stop 7 - Christ Church Stop 8 - Brasenose College Stop 9 - The Queens College Stop 10 - The Plain Stop 11 - St. Cross Road Stop 12 - South Parks Road Stop 13 - Wadham College Stop 14 - Trinity College Stop 15 - Parks Road Stop 16 - Banbury Road Stop 17 - Woodstock Road Stop 18 - Browns Restaurant Stop 19 - Magdalen Street East Stop 20 - Randolph Hotel

Oxford Castle and Prison: Guided Tour

2. Oxford Castle and Prison: Guided Tour

Step into 1,000 years of Oxford’s history with a costumed tour guide. Climb the Saxon St. George’s Tower, descend deep underground into the 900-year-old Crypt, explore the Victorian Prison D-Wing and Debtors' Tower, and scale the Mound of the 11th-century Motte-and-Bailey castle. Built in 1071 and only closed in 1996, Oxford Castle & Prison is a site with so many fascinating tales to tell. From the modern day stretching all the way back to the barbaric medieval era. The site has links to the birth of education in Oxford, the famous legends of King Arthur, the valiant escape of Empress Matilda and the infamous modern-day cases of murderers and criminals. For hundreds of years, the site has held both famous and infamous residents, serving time as a religious site, a home for royalty, and a center of justice as the county jail. After your 50-minute tour, you will be led into the exhibition wing where you can explore at your own leisure.

From London: Guided Day Trip to Oxford and Windsor Castle

3. From London: Guided Day Trip to Oxford and Windsor Castle

Our day will start in London, where we will head to Windsor Castle on our comfortable bus. Here you will have the chance to visit this royal palace and residence built in the 11th century after King William I the Conqueror's conquest of England. Since the time of Henry I of England, it has been inhabited by kings and monarchs. This fact makes it the second-oldest occupied European royal residence. You will be able to know the inside of the castle itself if you choose the option that includes the entrance, or if you prefer it, have some spare time to walk around Windsor Castle on your own. Feel like a king and discover all the stories that this iconic place hides! From here, we will move to Oxford, known as "The City of Dreaming Spiers", due to its pointed towers that transport us to medieval times and the stories of castles and dragons. The tour leader will show us the highlights of this medieval-style city. You will have the chance to see places like Oxford University itself, the University Church of Saint Mary the Virgin, or Brasenose College. If you are a Harry Potter fan, be attentive and identify the most iconic places of Hogwarts. After the guided visit, you will have some free time to enjoy Oxford and walk through its streets. In short, it is a cultural and architectural trip that you cannot miss since we will visit two of the most iconic places in the history of England!

Oxford Day Trip from London: City Tour, Colleges & Lunch

4. Oxford Day Trip from London: City Tour, Colleges & Lunch

Travel back in time on this Private Day Trip Tour into one of the world's most academic and intellectual cities. Get away from busy London and tour Oxford with a private local guide. Admire not only the city's medieval architectural beauty and its river and natural environment, but also its traditional English cuisine. Learn about the history of Oxford Castle, an ancient castle over 1,000 years old, famous for having once been a prison. Visit the only 12th-century tower still standing in the city. Take the opportunity to enter the History of Sciences Museum to see the famous blackboard that Einstein once used during a lecture at some Oxford University, and which still preserves its formulas. Relax and enjoy a delicious British lunch with a typical English beer in a traditional 14th-century tavern. Enjoy the best views of this university city by climbing to the top of the 13th-century tower of the University Church of St Mary. See the most prestigious colleges in the world, from Balliol College (the oldest in Oxford) to the most important college in the city: Christ Church College. Enter and breathe the university and intellectual air of Oxford. Get to know its beautiful Gothic building and discover how its students live. Enjoy Oxford in-depth, with its History, its Culture, Gastronomy, Colleges, and local’s lifestyle in this amazing Private Day Tour.

Oxford: Town & Gown and Universities Walking Tour

5. Oxford: Town & Gown and Universities Walking Tour

Discover charming and historic Oxford, renowned for being home to the prestigious University of Oxford, one of the oldest universities in the world. The city boasts a wealth of stunning architecture, picturesque scenery, and fascinating cultural attractions, like the Bridge of Sighs and the Carfax Tower, that you will discover in our walking tours. Discover the iconic Bodleian Library and the Ashmolean Museum, the oldest public museum in the world. Hear the stories about the University of Oxford and its 38 colleges, marvel at their stunning Gothic and Baroque architecture and learn about the famous alumni who studied there. After the tour, download the Vox City app (included in your tour) to discover more of Oxford and its incredible history with curated audio-guided routes through the main quarters. Our walking tours main sights: Radcliffe Camera Bodleian Library The Tower of the Five Orders Bridge of Sights Hertfort College Clarendon Building University of Oxford The Wenston Library The Old Schools Quad The White Horse Carfax Tower Christ Church The Old Tom St. Aldates Tavern Oxford Town Hall Swindlestock Tavern High Street University Church of St. Mary the Virgin Bodleian Library Alice's Shop The Crown Covered Market St. Micheal at the North Gate Oxford Martyrs Cross The bear Inn The Wheatsheaf St. Aldates Tavern History of Science Museum Sheldonian Theatre Holywell Music Room New College All Souls College Our self-guided route's main sights: St. Margaret's Well Port Meadow Folly Bridge Oxford Castle and Prison Trill Mill Stream Nuffield College Martyrs Memorial Ashmolean Museum Jericho University Parks Rhodes House Headington Shark

Other Sightseeing Options in Oxford Castle

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What people are saying about Oxford Castle

Overall rating

4.5 / 5

based on 401 reviews

John was amazing! Highly recommend this tour. I enjoyed it a lot and learned new things. We were a group of 10 and were able to ask questions too. John answered them all… what a knowledgeable guy!! The app worked well too. It was nice to walk around on your own and explore the remaining Oxford sights. Totally recommended!

Fascinating tour, and engaging guide with lots of interesting info about Oxford’s historic past. Impressive tower with great views of Oxford from the top and a grim insight into prison life!

I really enjoyed this tour, well two tours! it was a great way to see this beautiful city and a real bargain! Loved it.

It is a great way to avoid long walks and you are able to see much of the city.

The experience was great but I expected to see more of Oxford.