Oxford Castle and Prison, with almost 1000 years of history, remain one of the most ghosts of the UK, where spirits such as Empress Matilda and restless prisoners still linger
Oxford Castle stands as a towering memory of the turbulent past of England, with its old stone walls with a silent witness of a thousand years of bloodshed, betrayal and imprisonment.
Sitting on the west side of Oxford, the castle has seen centuries of history, from medieval warfare to grim prison sentences. And where suffering is, the paranormal never lags far behind.
Oxford Castle, now a popular tourist attraction, is also one of the most ghost places in the country – the long, dark corridors that echo with the spectral footsteps of his many restless souls.
The Spirit of Empress Matilda
Perhaps the most famous spirit related to Oxford Castle is that of Empress Matilda, daughter of King Henry I and rightful heir of the English throne.
Her spooky figure, draped in white, is seen many times on the stairs and the site of the castle, and her story is just as tragic as extraordinary.
In 1142, Matilda was besieged in Oxford Castle by her cousin, King Stephen, known as the anarchy during the bitter civil war.
Caught and without hope for salvation, Matilda orchestrated a daring escape. Everything dressed in white to mix with the snow, she crawled and a small group of knights from the castle, crossed the frozen river Thames and fled the night and eventually came to the safety in Abingdon.
Despite her escape, Matilda never claimed the throne and the years of bloodshed left deep scars on her mind.
To this day, many believe that the spirit of Matilda roams the castle over the castle and relive that desperate escape.
Some visitors report that she climbs her spectral figure, covered in white, or floating the torch trap along the tilting.
Others claim to feel a cold in the air when her presence is nearby, a creepy memory of the fear and despair that she must have consumed on that fateful night.
Shadowable figures and the spirits of the prison of Oxford
The role of the castle of Oxford as prison began in the 18th century and continued until 1996. The cells housed a variety of criminals, from debtors to murderers, and it is not surprising that many of these souls have never left.
Over the years, visitors and employees have reported countless creepy meetings within the prison walls.
One of the most hair -raising encounters comes from a guard who patroled the site late one evening.
Accompanied by his dog, he approached the end of his rounds when the animal suddenly stopped, growled and deteriorated in fear.
Moments later, two large shady figures appeared before the guard and stood running in fear. Unfortunately, the dog died only a few days later, so many believed that it was literally afraid because of the supernatural encounter.
There are also frequent reports of a white fog that rises a staircase just to disappear at the top.
Mirroring footsteps in empty corridors, doors cracking themselves and objects move inexplicably, as if an unseen power still exerts its influence.
And then there is the hair -raising figure of Mary Blandy, a notorious murderer executed in the castle in 1752. Of her mind, the place where she was hung, her sad spirit would still be tied to the place of her death.
Paranormal research
Given the long and grim history of the castle, it is no wonder that paranormal researchers and ghost hunters come to Oxford Castle in search of proof of the afterlife.
Many ghost yachts have been carried out within the walls, with many participants who experience strange phenomena, from inexplicable sounds to the feeling of being monitored.
Séances that are performed in the cells are reportedly activated the activity of Poltergeist so intensely that priests have been invoked to perform exorcisms.
Even the former D-Wing of the prison, now part of a luxury hotel, has not escaped his spooky past.
Guests have reported encounters with shady figures and inexplicable cold places, and the staff remains on their care for certain parts of the building.
Although the prison may have been converted into a hotel, it seems that some of his former residents have never been checked out.
Oxford Castle and Prison are steeped in history, and with such a violent and tragic past it is no surprise that spirits continue to chase his corridors.
Whether it is about the spectral figure of Empress Matilda, the tormented souls of executed prisoners, or the shadow -like appearances that even scare the bravest guards, this is a place where the past is never really dead.
Visitors can come today to learn about history, but many leave with their own ghost stories to tell.
Have you ever visited Oxford Castle and experienced something extraordinary? Share your spooky encounters in the comments below!
Watch Oxford Castle and Prison Video
