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| Oxford Castle Unlocked |
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If you thought Oxford was just about elegant spires and world-class academia then think again! Oxford Castle Unlocked reveals Oxford’s less well known history, one that is rich with tales of great escapes, betrayal and even romance - all within the walls of the ancient castle and prison.
Nestled in the centre of this fascinating city, a former royal residence, a centre of justice, and as the county gaol, Oxford Castle Unlocked exposes the stories about Oxford’s past that have been locked inside for centuries – a past that reaches as far back as 1071, when the original castle was built for William the Conqueror, and continues right up until 1996 when the site was finally relinquished and redeveloped.
Perhaps surprisingly, you enter the attraction through a modern and stylish admissions area and gift shop which not only has an excellent selection of Oxford souvenirs but also some fabulous jewellery and gift ideas that you may not expect to find in this hidden gem. What’s more, you don’t have to be visiting the attraction to make the most of the bargains that are on offer in the shop!
After a 10 minute wait (the tours run every 20 minutes) we were called by our costumed guide for the first part of the tour, in this instance a uniformed prison guard, where we climbed the 101 steps of St George’s Tower for the panoramic views over Oxford. The tour continued via an underground tunnel to the atmospheric medieval Castle Crypt before heading up to learn about the original 18th Century D wing cells. Saying goodbye to our guide, we were left to our own devices to explore the rest of the prison at our leisure.
After a very informative but also entertaining insight into the remarkable stories of the gaol’s inhabitants I called in next door to Café 1071 – which is run by the attraction - for a very welcome cup of delicious coffee and slice of cake. Offering both an ‘eat in’ and ‘take away’ service there was a nice selection of homemade sandwiches, soup and locally sourced cakes.
All in all a very pleasurable experience and one that I will be repeating especially with all the special events happening throughout the year, in particular Ghost Fest which returns on the 16th – 31st October – giving me the perfect opportunity to be a ghost hunter for the night!
Reviewed by Monique White
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