Oxford Town Hall

This is Oxford Town Hall. The beautiful stone façade you are now looking at reveals the third building designed to house Oxford’s town council. The very first, already on this site, dates back as far as 1290, and was later replaced by a new building, designed by Isaac Ware in the Italian style in 1752. Over a century later, a new architectural competition was launched to rebuild City Hall once again. Architect Henry Hare won the competition with plans in a style later called Jacobethan, an uncertain mix of Jacobean and Elizabethan styles, hence the name. The new building was inaugurated on May 12, 1897 by the Prince of Wales himself, and is described as the most beautiful town hall in the kingdom. A few years later, however, World War I broke out, and the site was included in the facilities of the Military General Hospital, accommodating over 200 beds. From 1916, it specialized in treating soldiers suffering from malaria. On a much happier note, the Great Hall of Oxford Town Hall also hostes the Rolling Stones, David Bowie and Nelson Mandela, to whom the city presented the Freedom Award. Oxford Town Hall is rich in history and has a spectacular setting, while maintaining its civic function. Today, it’s also a leading event and concert venue, hosting countless weddings and events every year. But the Town Hall is also a cultural and tourist destination, welcoming thousands of visitors to the Oxford Museum, the Town Hall Café and numerous concerts and festivals. Don’t hesitate to visit the museum. As is often the case in England, admission is free, and you’ll gain a better understanding of the city’s history while discovering its sumptuous interior.