The Prison Story | Unlocked

The 18th century prison buildings tell the story of the gaol over four centuries. Explore D Wing and its round Debtors’ Tower from cell to cell, where the changing times and prison conditions are told through the lives and words of real characters from the past.

The Civil War
During the Civil War, Oxford Castle was used to detain parliamentarian prisoners, Edmund Chillenden and John Lilburne among them. Listen to their stories and learn about the terrible prison conditions in the 17th century.

The Georgian Prison
Become immersed in an authentic 18th century ‘whodunnit’ with Mary Blandy’s story: murderer or innocent pawn? Make up your own mind… And find out about the grim reality of executions and the use of bodies for anatomical research.

18th and 19th century reform
Daniel Harris, governor of Oxford Gaol, was a pioneer of prison reform – learn about the reformers’ new ideas, how conditions changed in Oxford and why the buildings look the way they do today.

Victorian times
Discover and live out the realities of Victorian prison life, from trial to conviction, and from imprisonment to hard labour, and walk out onto the bridge link to look into the 19th century prison wing, now a hotel.

20th Century
Turn to the recent past and listen to the contemporary voices of former prisoners and prison officers reminiscing about their memories of the prison, taking you right up to the present day.