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Oxford Castle

Oxford Castle was originally one of the many castles built by the Normans following their invasion of England in 1066. Building work on this Norman motte and bailey castle began in 1071, the motte referring to the huge mound which was built to protect the wooden fortification placed at the top. The mound, twenty feet high, still survives. As the Norman period continued stone towers and walls were added, the castle serving as a prison as well as a defensive position. Oxford Castle is then thought to have played a role in the turbulent power struggle that marked the end of William the Conquerors direct line. The Conqueror's grandson Henry the First died without a surviving son, and the throne passed to his daughter Mathilda. Henry's nephew Stephen seized the throne in 1135, with Mathilda lurking threateningly in the background. It is thought that Stephen caught up with Mathilda at Oxford in 1142, burnt the town and laid siege to Mathilda and her supporters who had taken refuge in the castle. The story goes that she escaped during a cold snowy night, in a white nightdress that offered camouflage against the snow.

St George's Tower, and the crypt of St George's Chapel survive from this time.

Oxford Castle continued as a prison and little used royal palace, until it was purchased by Christ Church College. During the seventeenth century, the English Civil War saw the castle defenses strengthened as Oxford became a royalist stronghold. Parliament took its revenge on the defeat of the royalists by destroying nearly all of the castle.

Since that time Oxford Castle has been used as a prison, finally closing in 1996. Today the site is a shopping, hotel, residential and leisure complex, with surviving parts of the castle open as a tourist attraction known as Unlocked Oxford Castle.

Today the austere remains of Oxford Castle sit in a town full of colleges and churches, which have the appearance of fairy tale castles. As ever the search for spiritual security takes place in buildings which look like those designed for physical security. A castle becomes idealised, a perfect setting for romance in fact. As Oscar Wilde, who attended Magdalen College Oxford in the 1870s, wrote: "Venice like Oxford, had kept the background for romance, and, to the true romantic background was everything, or almost everything." (The Picture of Dorian Gray P183)

Opening Times: Unlocked Oxford Castle is open everyday except Christmas Day, 10am - 5.30pm, with the last tour at 4.10pm. These times may be subject to change. Check before you visit using contact details below.

Directions: Oxford Castle is on the western side of Oxford, off New Road. There are car parks in Oxford, but in our experience space is limited and prices are high. Use the park and ride facilities on the main roads into Oxford if you can. The castle is only a short walk from Oxford railway station. Click here for an interactive map centred on Oxford Castle.

Access: Some areas are not accessible to wheelchair users. Access is restricted to the Main Entrance, the Key Learning Centre, and the Prison Wing. A virtual tour of the Oxford skyline as seen from the top of the building. Adapted toilet facilities are provided.

Contact:

telephone: 01865 260666

web site: http://www.oxfordcastleunlocked.co.uk/home.htm