Oxford Castle Unlocked is a visitor attraction with a past stretching far beyond your imagination. For hundreds of years the site has held both famous and infamous residents, serving time as a religious site, a home for royalty, a centre of justice and as the County Gaol.

Visitors to the attraction can explore the austere confines of the 18th century Debtors’ Tower and Prison D-wing; experience the atmospheric 900 year old underground Crypt, the only surviving remains of St. George’s Chapel where it is said, began the education for which Oxford is famed; marvel at the Mound of the 11th century motte and bailey castle with vaulted well chamber; climb St George’s Tower and enjoy the unique 360° panoramic views over the dreaming spires.

The secrets of Oxford Castle’s turbulent past have finally been unlocked, and visitors to the ancient building can journey through the past as they wander around, learning about the real people linked to the site including: Geoffrey of Monmouth, who penned the famous legends of King Arthur and Merlin on-site in 1136; Marshall William Smith, the King’s prison keeper, who in the 1600s made Oxford Prison as feared and as notorious as Colditz; Mary Blandy a convicted murderess, who became an 18th century celebrity; Isaac Darkin, a dashing highwayman, who wouldn’t wait for the hangman and performed his execution himself; and Anne Green, who survived her own hanging and narrowly escaped being anatomised by an Oxford medical student in 1650!

In addition, the visitor attraction has a rolling calendar of enthralling events for visitors to take part in, including England’s premier ghost festival Ghost Fest, as Oxford Castle Unlocked is reputed to be one of Britain’s most haunted sites.

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