Oxford Castle was built by Robert D'Oyly after the Norman Conquest in 1066. It originally had wooden fortifications but was rebuilt in stone in the 11th century. By the 14th century, its military role diminished and it was used for county administration and as a prison. Most of the castle was destroyed in the English Civil War. A new prison complex was built on the site starting in 1785 and it became HM Prison Oxford, closing in 1996. The site has since been redeveloped as a hotel and heritage complex.

1. Oxford Castle
Virginie Guittard
MBA 1

3. History
Oxford Castle is a large, partly ruined Norman medieval castle
situated on the west edge of Oxford in Oxfordshire, England.
Oxford Castle was built by the Norman baron, Robert D'Oyly who
had arrived in England with William I during the
Norman Conquest of England in 1066.
Oxford had been stormed during the
invasion with considerable damage,
and William instructed D'Oyly to build
a castle to dominate the town
The original moated, wooden
motte and bailey castle was replaced
with stone in the 11th century and
played an important role in the conflict
of the Anarchy.

4. History
In the 14th century the military value of the castle diminished and
the site became used primarily for county administration and
for detaining prisoners. Most of the castle was destroyed
during the English Civil War and by the 18th century the
remaining buildings were used as Oxford's local prison.
A new prison complex was built on the
site from 1785 onwards and expanded
in 1876; this ultimately became
HM Prison Oxford. The prison closed
in 1996 and was redeveloped as a
hotel. Today the medieval remains of
the castle, including the motte and St
George's Tower, are classed as a
Grade I listed building and as a
Scheduled Monument.

5. Role as prison
Oxford Castle was primarily used after the
Civil War as the local prison.
In the 1770s the castle was visited several
times by the prison reformer John Howard,
who criticised the size and quality of the
establishment, including the extent of the
vermin that infested the prison. Partially
as a result of this critique, the decision
was taken to rebuild the Oxford Prison.
In the 19th century the site continued to be developed, with various new
buildings constructed, including the new County Hall, the Militia
Armoury; the prison itself was extended in 1876, growing to occupy
most of the remaining space. In 1888 national prison reforms led to the
renaming of the county prison as HM Prison Oxford.

6. Today
The prison was closed in 1996
and the site reverted to
Oxfordshire County Council
. The remains of the castle
are classed as a Grade I
listed building and as a
Scheduled Monument.Still
visible is the castle motte,
St George's Tower and the
crypt.

7. Today
The Oxford Prison buildings have since been redeveloped as a
shopping and heritage complex, with guided tours of the historic
buildings and open courtyards for markets and theatrical
performances.

8. Today
The mixed-use heritage project won the RICS Project of the Year
Award 2007
The hotel brand was formed in 1994 and is named after the
Château de Malmaison on the outskirts of Paris.
The chain is owned by MWB Group Holdings. Their brand premise is
"Hotels that dare to be different" The group also owns the Hotel du

9. Reviews

10. Reviews

11. Reviews

13. Scoop it Information

14. Scoop it Information