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The Great Escapes of Oxford Prison

  • 21st - 23rd May 2026
  • 18:30 | 20:00
  • Duration: 1 hour
  • Price: Adult £21

Ordinary people. Extraordinary escapes.

Join our prisoners of the past on a tour of Oxford Castle Prison and hear the stories of real escapes that took place on these very grounds.

Great Escapes OCP 1 Solomon

About this Event

Hear all about the daring escapes of some of our Georgian prisoners, including the first escape in over 600 years! Join infamous prison governor Solomon Wisdom as you hear about the escapes from the prisoners themselves and watch as Solomon uncovers an escape plot.

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Great Escapes OCP 4 Visitors

What to Expect

  • Hear real stories of the escapees themselves. Including the first woman to break out since Empress Matilda 600 years earlier; a highwayman whose devilish cunning and twisted sense of chivalry bought him borrowed time; and an escapee whose freedom led to a shocking and unexpected fate. 
  • You’ll also uncover lesser‑known tales of those who tried to escape to freedom and failed.
  • One hour guided tour through selected areas of Oxford Castle & Prison, led by expert storytellers. 

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Elizabeth Boswell smiling behind bars

Plan Your Visit

  • The event is recommended for ages 12+
  • The Great Escapes of Oxford Prison does not include the standard castle guided tour, but you can book a tour separately if you'd like to explore more of the site.
  • This event does not include access to St. George’s tower.

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Frequently Asked Questions

This tour is recommended for ages 12+, due to the subject matter and later start times. Parents and guardians may use their discretion when booking for children under 12.

Each session lasts approximately 60 minutes.

Yes. All children under the age of 16 must attend with an adult aged 18 or above. We reserve the right to refuse entry to unaccompanied under‑16s.

No. The Great Escapes of Oxford Prison is a separate ticketed tour and does not include the daily guided tour or St George’s Tower. If you would like to attend both, we recommend booking one of the last two guided tours of the day to allow time for a break between experiences.

No, a general admission ticket is not required for this tour.

Yes, spaces are limited. We strongly recommend booking in advance to avoid disappointment.

Please aim to arrive around 5 minutes before your session time so the activity can begin promptly and children do not miss any part of the experience. If you arrive more than 10 minutes late, entry may not be possible and refunds cannot be guaranteed. If you think you may be late, please contact us as soon as possible.

If you need to cancel or change your booking, please contact us at info@oxfordcastleandprison.co.uk or call 01865 260663 as soon as possible. Changes may be possible depending on availability. Please note that bookings cancelled within 48 hours of the event are non-refundable.

This tour includes walking up and down steps. Lift access is available to all floors included in the tour.

On arrival, please head to the gift shop desk. Our team will be happy to help check you in and direct you to your activity.

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