The Sheldonian Theatre
THE SHELDONIAN THEATRE, BROAD STREET
Listed on the National Heritage List for England. Search over 400,000 listed places
Overview
- Heritage Category:
- Listed Building
- Grade:
- I
- List Entry Number:
- 1047350
- Date first listed:
- 12-Jan-1954
- List Entry Name:
- The Sheldonian Theatre
- Statutory Address:
- THE SHELDONIAN THEATRE, BROAD STREET
Location
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Images of England Project
- Date:
- 2003-04-18
- Reference:
- IOE01/04042/26
- Rights:
- © Mr John O'Brien. Source: Historic England Archive
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Official list entry
- Heritage Category:
- Listed Building
- Grade:
- I
- List Entry Number:
- 1047350
- Date first listed:
- 12-Jan-1954
- List Entry Name:
- The Sheldonian Theatre
- Statutory Address 1:
- THE SHELDONIAN THEATRE, BROAD STREET
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 SHELDONIAN THEATRE, BROAD STREET
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 51521 06443
Details
1. BROAD STREET 1485 (South Side) The Sheldonian Theatre SP 5106 SE 9/148 12.1.54. I GV 2. RCHM 2. Built in 1664-69 at the cost of Archbishop Seldon to the designs of Wren. Thomas Robinson was master-mason with Arthur Frogley, master- carpenter. The stone used came from Headington (the ground storeys,) Burford and Barrington, while the upper stages were built in Taynton Stone. The whole South elevation is in original Barrington stone in the upper stage with Windrud stone in the lower stage. The upper stage of the semi- circular North elevation was refaced in Bath stone, probably in 1838, and since partly refaced in Clipsham stone. The cornices and balustrades have also been repaired in Clipsham stone at various times. The originai stone-carving was by William Byrd and the wood-work by William and Richard Clere. The ceiling was painted by Robert Streater; an early example of English illusionist decoration.
Exeter College, The Old Ashmolean Building, The Sheldonian Theatre and The Old Clarendon Building form a group with The Indian Institute, Catte Street.
Listing NGR: SP5151906448
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
- Legacy System number:
- 245362
- Legacy System:
- LBS
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 07-Jun-2026 at 02:08:38.
Download a full scale map (PDF)End of official list entry
All text content is available under the Open Government Licence v3.0 , except where otherwise stated. Any supplied maps are © Crown Copyright [and database rights] 2026 OS AC0000815036 and may not be reproduced without permission.