Oxford Castle and Prison, Medieval fortress and correctional facility in central Oxford, England.
Oxford Castle and Prison is a medieval fortress in central Oxford that served as a place of detention. The site features a Norman stone tower with a crypt beneath it, alongside prison cells from various historical periods.
The fortress was built between 1071 and 1073 as a wooden stronghold to secure Norman authority following the Conquest. It gradually transformed into a prison and became integral to England's judicial system for centuries afterward.
The site reveals through its varied spaces how daily life changed within prison walls across different centuries. Visitors notice this shift by observing the different types of cells and living conditions from medieval times to the modern era.
Daily guided tours allow visitors to climb the stone tower's stairs for views across the city. The site is accessible to most visitors, though reaching different levels does involve climbing stairs in certain areas.
A famous escape occurred in 1142 when a high-ranking prisoner fled across the frozen river wearing white clothing. This dramatic moment remains well documented in local records and shows the intense events that unfolded here.
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