Scheduled MonumentsEnglandOxford city walls

Oxford city walls

England
List entry 1003648
Nation
England
Boundary

Scheduled area

© Mapbox · © OpenStreetMap contributors · Boundary data © Historic England (NHLE)

Overview

History & significance

Oxford city walls are a scheduled ancient monument comprising the defensive fortifications that once enclosed the medieval city of Oxford. The walls were substantially constructed during the late Saxon period, with major development and reinforcement occurring in the Norman and medieval periods, particularly from the eleventh century onwards. Fragmentary sections of the original stone walls survive today, incorporated into later buildings and streetscapes, including notable portions near the city gates and along the eastern perimeter. These fortifications served to protect the growing settlement during a period of increasing urbanisation and strategic importance, though much of the original circuit has been lost to urban development over subsequent centuries.

Oxford city walls is a scheduled monument protected by Historic England under reference 1003648. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Oxford city walls?

Oxford city walls are a scheduled ancient monument comprising the defensive fortifications that once enclosed the medieval city of Oxford. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic England (NHLE) under reference 1003648.

Who is responsible for protecting Oxford city walls?

Oxford city walls is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, legally protected by Historic England (NHLE) — the body responsible for designating and safeguarding heritage sites in England. The official designation reference is 1003648.

What other scheduled monuments are near Oxford city walls?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Romano-British pottery site, prehistoric ring-ditches and enclosures, including medieval ridge and furrow, Lower Farm, Nuneham Courtenay (6.3 km), Garsington village cross (7.4 km), Settlement site E of Goose Acre Farm (8.1 km).

Aubrey Research

Generate a full report for this location

Aubrey generates in-depth historical research for any address in the UK — drawing on scheduled monument data, Domesday records, Roman heritage, PAS finds and medieval history to reveal the complete story of a landscape.

Research the area around Oxford city walls