Oxford Union Society Old Library is a Grade II* listed building in the Oxford local planning authority area, England. First listed on 12 January 1954. Library. 2 related planning applications.

Oxford Union Society Old Library

WRENN ID
gaunt-gravel-meadow
Grade
II*
Local Planning Authority
Oxford
Constituency
Oxford West and Abingdon MP: Layla Moran (LD)
Country
England
Date first listed
12 January 1954
Type
Library
Address
Oxford Union Society Old Library, St Michaels Street, OX1 3JB
OS grid reference
SP 512 062
Coordinates
51.7529, -1.25932
Source
Historic England listing

Also on this page: related consents · flood risk · radon risk · weather exposure · detailed attributes ↓

Description

The Oxford Union Society Old Library, built in 1856 by B Woodward, is a notable structure located on the south side of St Michael's Street in Oxford. The interior features mural paintings, which have been extensively restored, created by prominent artists including Rosetti, William Morris, and Burne-Jones. The building is adorned with rose windows on the first floor, with two on each face, and is topped with a conical roof. The Union buildings are recognized as a group of architectural significance.

Local climate

Oxford Union Society Old Library sits in a drier-than-average part of the UK, with an average of 730 mm of rain a year. This makes it drier than 77% of listed buildings in the UK. Its exposure to wind-driven rain is lower than that of 70% of listed buildings.

It experiences an average of 34 freeze-thaw cycles a year, more than 50% of listed buildings. Of these, 15 follow at least 1 mm of rain in the preceding 48 hours. Average temperatures at this location have risen by 0.3°C per decade since 1991.

Averages for 1991–2020; temperature trend 1991–2025. Figures describe the wider area (a grid cell of roughly 10 km), not the individual site. Contains modified Copernicus Climate Change Service information 2026.

More on this building

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  • No EPC on record for this property
  • No sale records on file
  • Related listed building consents — 2 applications
  • Detailed attributes — period, style, materials, features
  • Flood risk assessment
  • Radon risk assessment
  • Weather exposure and heating demand — rain and frost month by month and year by year, wind direction, solar and humidity
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Nearby listed buildings

  1. Oxford Union Society Main Block Grade II* 17 m
  2. Frewin Hall Grade II* 29 m
  3. Oxford Union Society Debating Hall Grade II* 36 m
  4. Wall of the Oxford Union Society Fronting St Michaels Street Grade II 51 m
  5. Oxford Union Society New Buildings Oxford Union Society Stewards House Grade II 51 m
  6. 11, St Michaels Street Grade II 57 m
  7. Vanburgh House Grade II* 65 m
  8. 22, St Michaels Street Grade II 66 m
  9. The North Gate Hall Grade II 68 m
  10. 41 and 42, Cornmarket Street Grade II 69 m