The Radcliffe Infirmary (Main Block)

The Radcliffe Infirmary main block is an infirmary, constructed between 1759 and 1770. It was designed by Stiff Leadbetter and founded on the benefaction of Dr. John Radcliffe. The building is constructed of Headington ashlar with a Welsh slate mansard roof and attics.

The plan comprises a central entrance at ground floor opening into a two-story entrance hall. Longitudinal corridors are located on each of the three storeys, leading to projecting cross-wings at each end. A central room to the rear projects with a bay window; the ground floor originally housed a Board Room on the first floor, with a chapel above.

The exterior presents a five-part facade. Projecting cross-wings, each two windows wide, flank the ends, with a slightly projecting frontispiece, three windows wide, topped by a pediment. A 1933 entrance of round-headed doorway with a keystone, flanked by pilasters, a panel, and finials, replaces the original first-floor entrance. The ground floor appears as a basement with six-over-three sash windows and a prominent plinth. Six-over-six sashes are present on the first and second stories. The sashes have flush surrounds, with salient sills and a first-floor sill band. Segmental arch dormers with three-over-three sashes are located in the mansard attic behind a cornice. A round window is situated within the pediment, and there are narrow, deep ashlar chimneys. A pair of octagonal, full-height sanitary towers, designed by C. Buckeridge in 1869, are positioned at the rear and incorporate water tanks within the attic storey. An outpatients block, constructed in 1911-13 by Edward Warren, is attached and projects to the front left. Later 19th and 20th-century additions are present at the rear.

The interior features tunnel-vaulted corridors on the first floor, constructed with both rough and finished stone, and groin-vaulted ceilings near the entrance to the Board Room. The Board Room contains 18th and 19th century plaster panels inscribed with the names and donations of benefactors. Upper-level rooms are characterised by six-panel doors, transoms, stone fireplace surrounds, and flagstone floors.

The Radcliffe Infirmary Buildings form a group.