The Golden Cross Hotel

The Golden Cross Hotel, located at 5 Cornmarket Street, dates back to 1485. The building is set back from the street and is accessed through a 15th-century gateway that leads to a courtyard. The hotel consists of three main ranges: the North range from the 15th century, the South range which was mainly rebuilt in the late 17th century, and the East range from the 19th century.

The outer 15th-century gateway features moulded wood jambs and a four-centred arch within a square head, adorned with leaf carvings in the spandrels. The North spandrel displays a shield of arms from New College, while the South shield has been damaged by the installation of telephone cables.

The North range is a two-storey structure with plastered timber framing and attics beneath a Welsh slate roof. It includes a red brick chimney from the 18th century that rises at eaves level. The upper floor projects and contains five original moulded wood oriels, which are supported by moulded coved cornices. The front lights of these oriels appear to be late 17th-century additions. Inside, there are some moulded ceiling beams, and the oriels feature internal four-centred arched heads. The west side of the second floor has notable late 16th-century wall paintings, partially overlaid by some from the early 17th century. The interior was remodeled in 1968.

The South range is a three-storey timber-framed structure with four gabled projecting bays. The first and second floors feature original three-light windows with semi-circular keystoned centre lights in the three westernmost bays. The ground floor has undergone some modernization. Inside, there is 17th-century panelling and a late 17th-century staircase. This range's interior was also remodeled in 1968.

Historical references include a drawing by J.C. Buckler from 1824. The Golden Cross Hotel is part of a group that includes Nos 1 to 3, 5, and 8 to 10 on High Street.