We recognise that an historic site can present access difficulties for people with disabilities. This section explains the accessibility facilities we have in place.
Oxford Castle – Unlocked also offers free entry for one-to-one carers accompanying disabled visitors.
The main entrance, Gift Shop, Café 1071 and The Key Learning Centre are all fully accessible. All floors of the Prison Wing are accessible by lift, and information throughout is provided through a mix of displays and multi-media solutions.
For example:
Visitors unable to climb St. George’s Tower may wait at the bottom of the tower in the seating area. An interactive touch screen which shows views from St. Georges Tower and the Mound can be used whilst your tour group are in the tower. You will then be able to rejoin your group and continue with your tour throughout the castle.
Throughout the year, we hold many events in the Castleyard which are all accessible to wheelchair users.
We have accessible toilet facilities equipped with emergency call alarms. Theses are located in Café 1071 and The Key Learning Centre (left/angled and right hand transfer).
Unfortunately, we are unable to provide wheelchairs for our visitors. There is a shopmobility scheme in Oxford for visitors who wish to hire wheelchairs. For further details please visit http://www.oxford.gov.uk/PageRender/decC/How_to_Book_Shopmobility_occw.htm
There is no parking available on site although drop off’s can be permitted via prior arrangement. Details of parking arrangements in Oxford for disabled visitors may be found at http://www.oxford.gov.uk/PageRender/decC/Disabled_parking_occw.htm
There are no strobe lighting effects in Oxford Castle - Unlocked.
We regret no dogs can be admitted in the castle or on the Mound except for registered assistance dogs. Dogs are permitted in the Castleyard.
Unfortunately for health and safety reasons, we are unable to admit children under 5 years of age up St. Georges Tower which has 101 steps on a steep, narrow and winding staircase. For families with children under 5, there is a waiting area with children’s play quarter and an interactive touch screen which shows views from St. Georges Tower and the Mound for adult visitors.
For this reason, we do not charge admission to children who are under five years of age.
Unfortunately we are unable to accommodate pushchairs inside the castle due to the uneven flooring in the Prison Wing and particularly the historic Castle Crypt. We are happy to store all pushchairs, prams and buggies at the attraction.
If you have any specific requirements, please contact us prior to your visit on 01865 260666.
Oxford Castle – Unlocked also offers free entry for one-to-one carers accompanying disabled visitors.
The main entrance, Gift Shop, Café 1071 and The Key Learning Centre are all fully accessible. All floors of the Prison Wing are accessible by lift, and information throughout is provided through a mix of displays and multi-media solutions.
Wheelchair Users
Regrettably, due to the historic nature of the building not all areas of the attraction are accessible by wheelchair.For example:
- St George’s Tower (which has 101 steps on a steep, narrow and winding staircase).
- The Mound which has some steep steps and gradients.
- Some of the prison cells which have 620-640mm wide doorways.
Visitors unable to climb St. George’s Tower may wait at the bottom of the tower in the seating area. An interactive touch screen which shows views from St. Georges Tower and the Mound can be used whilst your tour group are in the tower. You will then be able to rejoin your group and continue with your tour throughout the castle.
Throughout the year, we hold many events in the Castleyard which are all accessible to wheelchair users.
We have accessible toilet facilities equipped with emergency call alarms. Theses are located in Café 1071 and The Key Learning Centre (left/angled and right hand transfer).
Unfortunately, we are unable to provide wheelchairs for our visitors. There is a shopmobility scheme in Oxford for visitors who wish to hire wheelchairs. For further details please visit http://www.oxford.gov.uk/PageRender/decC/How_to_Book_Shopmobility_occw.htm
There is no parking available on site although drop off’s can be permitted via prior arrangement. Details of parking arrangements in Oxford for disabled visitors may be found at http://www.oxford.gov.uk/PageRender/decC/Disabled_parking_occw.htm
Other Information
We have lifts in both the castle and Key Learning Centre. Both our lifts have tactile and Braille controls, and voice announcements. The doors are 900mm clear opening, and the internal dimensions are 1360x1360mm.There are no strobe lighting effects in Oxford Castle - Unlocked.
We regret no dogs can be admitted in the castle or on the Mound except for registered assistance dogs. Dogs are permitted in the Castleyard.
Families with Young Children
Café 1071 is equipped with highchair facilities for babies. Changing facilities are available in the toilets located in the café and the Key Learning Centre.Unfortunately for health and safety reasons, we are unable to admit children under 5 years of age up St. Georges Tower which has 101 steps on a steep, narrow and winding staircase. For families with children under 5, there is a waiting area with children’s play quarter and an interactive touch screen which shows views from St. Georges Tower and the Mound for adult visitors.
For this reason, we do not charge admission to children who are under five years of age.
Unfortunately we are unable to accommodate pushchairs inside the castle due to the uneven flooring in the Prison Wing and particularly the historic Castle Crypt. We are happy to store all pushchairs, prams and buggies at the attraction.
If you have any specific requirements, please contact us prior to your visit on 01865 260666.
