St George's Tower

Older than the castle?

Robert D'Oyly built Oxford Castle in 1071–73, but the tower is believed to have survived from late Saxon times. In 1074 D'Oyly and Roger d'Ivry endowed a chapel with a college of priests next to it, dedicated to St George. The chapel was demolished in the late 18th century, but part of its crypt was rebuilt in 1794 and survives.

Climbing the tower

The tower is part of the Oxford Castle & Prison attraction and is reached on its guided tours, which also take in the crypt and the castle mound. The only way up is a narrow 101-step spiral staircase, so it is not accessible for wheelchair users, but the reward is a view across Oxford's rooftops and spires. Wear sensible shoes and expect a tight squeeze on the stair; the tour guides set the pace and explain the castle's prison history as you go.

Around the castle quarter

The tower stands in the redeveloped Castle Quarter, where the old prison buildings now hold a hotel, Malmaison, and a cluster of restaurants. It is a short walk from the Westgate shopping centre and the station, so it fits easily into a first afternoon in the city.

Highlights

• Believed to date from late Saxon times
• Tallest tower of Oxford Castle
• 101-step spiral staircase to the top
• Linked to the 11th-century chapel of St George and its surviving crypt

Good to know

• Access is via Oxford Castle & Prison guided tours
• Spiral stairs only: not wheelchair accessible
• The crypt has a platform lift

Frequently asked questions