The Nuffield Institute For Medical Research the Radcliffe Observatory
THE NUFFIELD INSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL RESEARCH, WOODSTOCK ROAD
Listed on the National Heritage List for England. Search over 400,000 listed places
Overview
- Heritage Category:
- Listed Building
- Grade:
- I
- List Entry Number:
- 1047070
- Date first listed:
- 12-Jan-1954
- List Entry Name:
- The Nuffield Institute For Medical Research the Radcliffe Observatory
- Statutory Address:
- THE NUFFIELD INSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL RESEARCH, WOODSTOCK ROAD
Location
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Images of England Project
- Date:
- 2002-07-03
- Reference:
- IOE01/06518/12
- Rights:
- © Miss Jennie Anderson. Source: Historic England Archive
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Discover moreOfficial list entry
- Heritage Category:
- Listed Building
- Grade:
- I
- List Entry Number:
- 1047070
- Date first listed:
- 12-Jan-1954
- List Entry Name:
- The Nuffield Institute For Medical Research the Radcliffe Observatory
- Statutory Address 1:
- THE NUFFIELD INSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL RESEARCH, WOODSTOCK ROAD
- Statutory Address 2:
- THE RADCLIFFE OBSERVATORY, WOODSTOCK ROAD
The scope of legal protection for listed buildings
This List entry helps identify the building designated at this address for its special architectural or historic interest.
Unless the List entry states otherwise, it includes both the structure itself and any object or structure fixed to it (whether inside or outside) as well as any object or structure within the curtilage of the building.
For these purposes, to be included within the curtilage of the building, the object or structure must have formed part of the land since before 1st July 1948.
The scope of legal protection for listed buildings
This List entry helps identify the building designated at this address for its special architectural or historic interest.
Unless the List entry states otherwise, it includes both the structure itself and any object or structure fixed to it (whether inside or outside) as well as any object or structure within the curtilage of the building.
For these purposes, to be included within the curtilage of the building, the object or structure must have formed part of the land since before 1st July 1948.
Location
- Statutory Address:
- THE NUFFIELD INSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL RESEARCH, WOODSTOCK ROAD
- Statutory Address:
- THE RADCLIFFE OBSERVATORY, WOODSTOCK ROAD
The building or site itself may lie within the boundary of more than one authority.
- County:
- Oxfordshire
- District:
- Oxford (District Authority)
- Parish:
- Non Civil Parish
- National Grid Reference:
- SP 50904 07163
Details
WOODSTOCK ROAD 1. 1485 (West Side) The Radcliffe Observatory (Now the Nuffield Institute for Medical Research) SP 5007 SE 2/100 12.1.54. I 2. Built to the designs of Henry Keene from the benefaction of Dr John Radcliffe in "a calm and retired locality". The first stone was laid June 27, 1772 but in consequence of Keene's death the whole was not completed until 1795. The dwellinghouse, the 2 wings and the central part up as far as the platform were built of Headington Stone before Keene's death in 1776. James Wyatt, who succeeded Keene as architect, altered some of the external parts and raised the upper octagon building, basing it on the design of the Tower of the Winds; James Pears, of Oxford, was the contractor. The front extends 175 feet, each of the wings being 69 feet long and the top of the tower is about 106 feet from the ground. The 3rd storey consists of the octagonal tower, with 8 sculptures of the winds on the entablature and a large globe supported by bronze figures of Hercules and Atlas at the top, executed by John Bacon, RA (DNB). The bas reliefs, under the platform, represent the signs of the zodiac and the rising moon and setting sun and were modelled in Coade stone by Rossi, RA (DNB). The interior has contemporary and notable fittings including furniture designed by Wyatt. A curved covered way on the ground floor joins the East wing of the Observatory with the dwelling house on the East (see Oxf His Soc. XLI (1901) 319).
Listing NGR: SP5098107222
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
- Legacy System number:
- 245947
- Legacy System:
- LBS
Sources
Books and journals
Oxford History Society in Oxford History Society, Vol. 41, (1901), 319
Legal
This building is listed under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 as amended for its special architectural or historic interest.
Map
This map is for quick reference purposes only and may not be to scale. This copy shows the entry on 25-Jun-2026 at 01:47:22.
Download a full scale map (PDF)End of official list entry
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