The Sheldonian Theatre is a Grade I listed building in the Oxford local planning authority area, England. First listed on 12 January 1954. A 1664-69 Theatre. 8 related planning applications.
The Sheldonian Theatre
- WRENN ID
- stony-glass-scarlet
- Grade
- I
- Local Planning Authority
- Oxford
- Constituency
- Oxford West and Abingdon MP: Layla Moran (LD)
- Country
- England
- Date first listed
- 12 January 1954
- Type
- Theatre
- Address
- The Sheldonian Theatre, Broad Street, OX1 3AZ
- OS grid reference
- SP 515 064
- Coordinates
- 51.75432, -1.255
- Source
- Historic England listing
Description
The Sheldonian Theatre, located on Broad Street, was built between 1664 and 1669 at the expense of Archbishop Sheldon, based on designs by Sir Christopher Wren. The master mason was Thomas Robinson, and the master carpenter was Arthur Frogley. The stone for the ground storeys came from Headington, Burford, and Barrington, while the upper stages were constructed using Taynton Stone. The entire south elevation features original Barrington stone in the upper stage and Windrud stone in the lower stage. The upper stage of the semi-circular north elevation was refaced in Bath stone, likely in 1838, and has since been partly refaced in Clipsham stone. Various repairs to the cornices and balustrades have also been made using Clipsham stone over time. The original stone-carving was done by William Byrd, and the woodwork was crafted by William and Richard Clere. The ceiling was painted by Robert Streater, showcasing an early example of English illusionist decoration. The Sheldonian Theatre is part of a group that includes Exeter College, The Old Ashmolean Building, and The Old Clarendon Building, along with The Indian Institute on Catte Street.
Local climate
The Sheldonian Theatre 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 — 8 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
Matched applications, energy data and sale records are assembled automatically and may contain errors. Flag incorrect data.
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- Walling, Railings at Sheldonian Theatre and Ornamental Piers Fronting Broad Street
- Wall Between the Old Bodleian and Exeter College
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- The Old Clarendon Building
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- The White Horse Public House