Bullingdon Prison
Source: gov.uk (2025-10-31)

Bullingdon is a men’s prison near Bicester in Oxfordshire.

Help us to improve this page. Give us your feedback in this 2-minute survey (https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/bullingdon/).

Book and plan your visit to Bullingdon

To visit someone in Bullingdon you must:
- be on that person’s visitor list
- book your visit at least a day in advance
- have the required ID (#entering-bullingdon) with you when you go
At least one visitor must be 18 or older at every visit.

There may be a limit to the number of visits a prisoner can have. You can check this with Bullingdon.

Contact Bullingdon (#contacts) if you have any questions about visiting.

Help with the cost of your visit

If you get certain benefits or have an NHS health certificate, you might be able to get help with the costs of your visit (https://www.gov.uk/help-with-prison-visits), including:
- travel to Bullingdon
- somewhere to stay overnight
- meals
How to book family and friends visits

You can book your visit online (https://www.gov.uk/prison-visits), by phone or by email to, xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx)

Telephone: 01869 353 176 Monday to Friday (except public holidays), 9:30am to 11:30am, 1:30pm to 4pm. Find out about call charges (https://www.gov.uk/call-charges)

To cancel a visit, call 01869 353 176 or email xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx)

Visiting times:
- Monday to Thursday, 1:45pm to 3:45pm
- Saturday, 1:45pm to 3:45pm
- Sunday, 1:45pm to 3:45pm
We only guarantee maximum of 1 hour but will give more, if possible.

Visitors can arrive at the visits centre from 12:15pm.

How to book official visits

To arrange an official visit you can:
- email for official video, xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx)
- telephone for official video, 01869 353 154
- email for official face to face, xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx)
- telephone for face to face visits call, 01869 353 414
Official video visit times:
- Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 12:30pm and 1:30pm to 5pm
Official face to face visits:
- Monday to Thursday, 9am to 11:30am and 2pm to 4:30pm
- Friday, 9am to 11:30am
- Bank holidays, no visits
Getting to Bullingdon

Find Bullingdon on a map (https://consent.google.com/m?continue=https://xxx@xxx.xx,-1.xx-xxxx-xxxx,15z/data%3D!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0xb09bcfa8852e0ca3!8m2!3d51.8491718!4d-1.xx-xxxx-xxxx?shorturl%3D1&gl=IE&m=0&pc=m&uxe=eomtm&cm=2&hl=en&src=1)

Bullingdon is about 5 miles from Bicester Village station and about 6 miles from Bicester North station. A regular bus runs from both stations to the prison.

To plan your journey by public transport:
- use National Rail Enquiries (https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/)
- use Traveline for local bus times (https://www.traveline.info/)
There is a visitors car park, including space for Blue Badge holders.

Entering Bullingdon

All visitors, aged 16 or older must prove their identity before entering the prison. Read the list of acceptable forms of ID when visiting a prison (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/management-of-security-at-visits-policy-framework-open-estate/acceptable-forms-of-identification-id-when-visiting-a-prison-in-england-and-wales-annex-a).

All visitors will need to be given a pat-down search, including children. You may also be sniffed by security dogs.

Bullingdon has a family-friendly dress code policy which means visitors should dress appropriately. You may be turned away if you are wearing see-through or revealing clothing like vests, low-cut tops, high-cut shorts or dresses or ripped jeans. Additionally, you cannot wear hoodies or anything with offensive patterns or slogans. You will be asked to remove jackets, gloves, scarves and headwear other than that worn for religious reasons.

Each group of visitors are allowed to take in a maximum of £30 in coins (bank notes are not allowed). The money can be used to buy food and drink in the visit’s hall.

There are strict controls on what you can take into Bullingdon. You will have to leave most of the things you have with you in a locker or with security. This includes pushchairs and car seats.

You will be told the rules by an officer at the start of your visit. If you break the rules, your visit could be cancelled and you could be banned from visiting again.

Assistance Dogs

The admission of guide dogs for the blind will be subject to a risk assessment and approved by the Governing Governor. All other assistance dog requests will only be considered in exceptional circumstances, with final approval also resting with the Governing Governor. Application forms can be requested by email, xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx).

Visiting facilities

There is a visitors centre run by the Prison Advice and Care Trust (PACT) (https://www.prisonadvice.org.uk/prisons/hmp-bullingdon/) charity.

There are refreshments available in the visit’s hall.

Family days

Family day visits/celebration days will take place monthly at HMP Bullingdon as part of the prisons’ children and family strategy and wider reducing reoffending strategy. They are designed to help prisoners and their families cope with the pressures that long term separation may have on the relationships between family units in particular the relationship between the children and their Father. They will give a better quality of interaction between men and their children. To help develop closer bonds with their children and help realise how criminality impacts upon them both.

Prisoner Eligibility

In order to ensure that prisoners and their families are able to enjoy the day in a relaxed atmosphere there is a criteria that the men must meet, this will be made to clear to the men in the application phase.

Visitor Eligibility

The relaxed regime of family day visits is to allow prisoners to develop and maintain closer relationships with their children, grandchildren or nieces / nephews. There must be a credible relationship to the child (ren) however each application will be judged on its own individual merit. That said the children of prisoners will always be given priority. Therefore, all prisoners attending the family day should have children visit otherwise there is no difference to a normal social visit. The visitors visiting with children should be:
- Wife
- Mother of Prisoners’ children
- Mother / Father
- Step Father / Mother
- Brother / Sister
- Legal guardian
- Court appointed appropriate adult
- Social worker
The Maximum number of visitors to attend is three adults (children over 10 are classed as adults for the purpose of visits) and three children under 10. Applications for numbers outside of these limits will be taken on an individual basis.

Keep in touch with someone at Bullingdon

There are several ways you can keep in touch with a prisoner during their time at Bullingdon.

Secure video calls

To have a secure video call with someone in this prison you need to:
- Download the Prison Video app (https://prisonvideo.com/app)
- Create an account
- Register all visitors
- Add the prisoner to your contact list.
How to book a secure video call

You can request a secure video call with someone in this prison via the Prison Video app.

You will receive a notification when your request has been accepted.

Read more about how it works (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/visit-a-prisoner-using-a-video-call)

Phone calls

Prisoners have phones in their cells but these do not accept incoming calls. They are able to make calls every day between 7:30am and 11pm. They have to buy phone credits to do this.

They can phone anyone named on their list of friends and family. This list is checked by security when they first arrive so it may take a few days before they are able to call.

You can also exchange voicemails using the Prison Voicemail service (https://prisonvoicemail.com/).

Officers may listen to phone calls as a way of preventing crime and helping keep people safe.

Email

You can send emails to someone in Bullingdon using the Email a Prisoner service (https://www.emailaprisoner.com/).

You might also be able to attach photos and receive replies from the prisoner, depending on the rules at Bullingdon.

Letters

You can write at any time.

Include the person’s name and prisoner number on the envelope.

If you do not know their prisoner number, contact Bullingdon (#contacts).

All post, apart from legal letters, will be opened and checked by officers.

National Prison Radio’s Family and Friends request show

National Prison Radio broadcasts into prison cells across England and Wales 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Family and friends can stay connected with their loved ones in prison by sending song requests, written messages and voice recordings. They are then read and played out on weekly episodes.

You can send in a message, and hear the show, at nationalprisonradio.com (https://prison.radio/national-prison-radio/#songrequest)

Send money and gifts

You can use the free and fast online service to send money to someone in prison (https://www.gov.uk/send-prisoner-money).

You can no longer send money by bank transfer, cheque, postal order or send cash by post.

If you cannot use the online service, you may be able to apply for an exemption (https://send-money-to-prisoner.service.gov.uk/help/apply-for-exemption/) - for example if you:
- are unable to use a computer, a smart phone or the internet
- do not have a debit card
This will allow you to send money by post.

Gifts and parcels

People in Bullingdon can apply for permission for visitors to hand in items during a visit.

All property will be opened and checked by officers. Make sure to include the person’s name and prisoner number on the parcel.

Friends and families of prisoners are permitted to send books directly to their loved ones, or can order books from approved retailers, which can source and send the books on to prisoners.

For the full list of approved retailers, you can read Prison education and library services, Annex A (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/prison-education-and-library-services-for-adult-prisons-in-england/annex-a-sending-and-handing-in-of-books-to-prisoners).

Contact Bullingdon (#contacts) for more information on what’s allowed.

Life at Bullingdon

Bullingdon is committed to providing a safe and educational environment where men can learn new skills to help them on release.

Security and safeguarding

Every prisoner at Bullingdon has a right to feel safe. The staff are responsible for their safeguarding and welfare at all times.

For further information about what to do when you are worried or concerned about someone in prison visit the Prisoners’ Families helpline website (https://www.prisonersfamilies.org/pages/category/need-urgent-help?Take=24).

Arrival and first night

When a prisoner first arrives at Bullingdon, they will be able to contact a family member by phone. This could be quite late in the evening, depending on the time they arrive.

They will get to speak to someone who will check how they’re feeling and ask about any immediate health and wellbeing needs.

Induction

Each prisoner who arrives at Bullingdon gets an induction that lasts about a week. They will meet professionals who will help them with:
- health and wellbeing, including mental and sexual health
- any substance misuse issues, including drugs and alcohol
- personal development in custody and on release, including skills, education and training
- other support (sometimes called ‘interventions’), such as managing difficult emotions
Everyone also finds out about the rules, fire safety, and how things like calls and visits work.

Accommodation

Around 1,100 prisoners are at Bullingdon across 6 houseblocks (A to F). Most prisoners share cells.

Education and work

Prisoners have access to a broad programme of learning opportunities provided by Milton Keynes College (https://www.mkcollege.ac.uk/). These range from basic skills, such as English and maths, to distance learning with the Open University.

The programme includes training in a variety of trades and professions, including:
- printing
- industrial cleaning
- construction
- information and communications technology (ICT)
- barbering
- music
- cookery
- hospitality
- health and wellbeing
- nutrition and healthy eating
- business
Work is available throughout the prison in areas such as the laundry and the farms and gardens. Prisoners can earn qualifications while working.

Bullingdon also runs a number of accredited offending behaviour programme (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/offending-behaviour-programmes-and-interventions) courses.

Support for family and friends

Find out about advice and helplines for family and friends (https://www.gov.uk/support-for-families-friends-of-prisoners).

Support at Bullingdon

PACT’s family services team can provide information, guidance and support to families and friends of prisoners. Ask in the visitors centre to learn more.

Telephone: xx-xxxx-xxxx

Concerns, problems and complaints

In an emergency

Call 01869 353 100 if you think a prisoner is at immediate risk of harm. Ask for the Orderly Officer and explain that your concern is an emergency.

Find out about call charges (https://www.gov.uk/call-charges)

Problems and complaints

If you have any other problem contact Bullingdon (#contacts).

Inspection reports

HM Prison and Probation Service publishes action plans for Bullingdon (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/bullingdon-prison-action-plan) in response to independent inspections.

Contact Bullingdon

Governor: Amanda Thomson

Telephone: 01869 353 100 Fax: 01869 353 101 Find out about call charges (https://www.gov.uk/call-charges)

Address

HMP BullingdonPO Box 50BicesterOXONOX25 1PZ

See map (https://consent.google.com/m?continue=https://xxx@xxx.xx,-1.xx-xxxx-xxxx,15z/data%3D!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0xb09bcfa8852e0ca3!8m2!3d51.8491718!4d-1.xx-xxxx-xxxx?shorturl%3D1&gl=IE&m=0&pc=m&uxe=eomtm&cm=2&hl=en&src=1)

Help us to improve this page. Give us your feedback in this 2-minute survey (https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/bullingdon/).