Christmas 2025 at Oxford Castle and Prison

Santa’s Teddy Bear Workshop

Santa is coming to town, and he’s setting up shop at Oxford Castle & Prison! Come along to meet Father Christmas himself, and lend a helping hand to our cheerful elves in their magical bear-making workshop.

Get into the festive spirit as you journey through Santa’s enchanting workshop. Some friendly elves will greet you in the candle-lit crypt and take you to their fun-filled workshop, where you’ll:

• Make your very own cuddly bear
• Choose a name and officially adopt your new friend
• Design and personalise a festive top just for them
• But before you meet your new bear, it’s time for a special visit with Santa Claus himself! Share your Christmas wishes, snap a photo, and find out whether you’ve made the naughty or nice list this year.

Dates and times:
Selected dates from Wednesday 19 November to Tuesday 23 December at various times

Ticket prices:

1 child + 1 adult – £20.00
Per additional child – £16.00
Per additional adult – £4.00
Includes admission to the Christmas trail.

Additional information:

• Recommended ages are 3 to 7 years.
• The experience lasts around 50 minutes to 1 hour.
• Additional adult tickets are available to book at checkout.
• Please note that the experience is separate from the Guided Tours. The experience includes all locations at the Castle & Prison except the top of St George’s Tower, as there is no provision of access to children under 5.

Tales of the Tower

Step inside 1,000 years of history for our brand new 40-minute seasonal guided tour, focusing on the oldest and darkest corners of Oxford Castle & Prison, with a chilling twist. Only available on weekend mornings.

Highlights

• St George’s Tower: Climb 101 steps to experience the panoramic views of Oxford’s skyline and learn about life in the tower during harsh winters.
• Punishment Cells: Unlock stories of justice, punishment, and the ghostly legends in the castle and prison’s darkest space.
• Castle Motte: Explore the motte, where you can enjoy more views of the city before or after your tour.

Dates and times:

Saturday 29 November to Tuesday 23 December 2025 from 10.45am to 1.15pm

Ticket prices:

Adult – £12.00
Children – £7.00
Concession – £11.00

Includes a 40-minute seasonal guided tour.

Additional information:

• Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times. The tour is not suitable for children under 5 due to the tower’s stairs. As most of the tour takes place inside the St George’s Tower, it is recommend that children under 5 do not attend.
• The 101-step climb up St George’s Tower makes the tour unsuitable for visitors with limited mobility. Toilets and refreshments are available on site.
• Some sections are outdoors. Please wear warm clothing and suitable footwear.
• The tour combines historical stories with seasonal storytelling.