Oxford
Medieval Oxford history

Visiting The Painted Room in Oxford

A rare glimpse into medieval Oxford through surviving Elizabethan wall paintings.

ArtHistoryArchitectureLocal heritage

Located upstairs at 3 Cornmarket Street, this historic chamber features remarkable sixteenth-century wall paintings. Once part of the Crown Tavern, the room is famous for its preserved Elizabethan murals and its associations with William Shakespeare, who regularly stayed at the property.

A historic Elizabethan room in Oxford famous for its rediscovered sixteenth-century wall paintings and frequent visits by William Shakespeare.

The Painted Room
About The Painted Room

Located in the city centre of Oxford, The Painted Room is an exceptional Elizabethan chamber famed for its sixteenth-century wall paintings. Hidden beneath oak paneling for centuries and rediscovered in 1927, these rare murals offer a glimpse into the region's artistic past. The venue also features historic ties to William Shakespeare, who stayed in this building during his journeys.

Historic interior room with large painted wall panels showing ornate geometric patterns in warm tones, topped with inscribed text, alongside dark wood paneling and a window draped with red curtains.
Locating The Painted Room in Oxford

Situated at 3 Golden Cross in Oxford's City Centre, The Painted Room is positioned in a highly accessible historic district. This central venue was once part of a sixteenth-century tavern where William Shakespeare regularly stayed on his journeys. Finding this preserved chamber offers a convenient and enriching stop for visitors exploring the literary and architectural heritage of the city.

© OpenStreetMap contributors

Golden Cross 3

OX1 3EU Oxford

City Centre, England, GB

Elizabethan Art and History at The Painted Room

The Painted Room offers a historical glimpse into Elizabethan heritage in Oxford City Centre. Located upstairs in a timber-framed former tavern, this historic site preserves remarkable sixteenth-century wall paintings that were hidden behind wood panels for centuries. Visitors can slide back seventeenth-century oak panels on rollers to reveal the vibrant frescoes underneath. The chamber also features a brickwork fireplace from 1350 and carries deep literary ties as a frequent lodging place for William Shakespeare. This unique space provides an intimate encounter with local art and heritage.

Two people standing before medieval wall paintings with Latin inscriptions and decorative patterns inside The Painted Room, with a wooden door visible to the right.

History of The Painted Room

Located in Oxford, The Painted Room was constructed as part of a timber-framed building in the mid-16th century. Around 1600, its *rare Elizabethan wall paintings* were covered by wooden paneling. After being hidden for over three centuries, these historic murals were finally rediscovered in 1927.

  • Built in the mid-16th century

    1565Construction

    The timber-framed room was constructed during the 1560s or 1570s in Oxford, England. It is a notable medieval heritage site located specifically at 3 Cornmarket Street.

  • Wall paintings concealed by panels

    1600Milestone

    Around 1600, the decorative wall paintings within the room were covered by wooden paneling, effectively hiding them from view for several centuries.

  • Rediscovery of the wall paintings

    1927Milestone

    After remaining hidden for three hundred years, the decorative wall paintings were finally rediscovered in 1927.

The Painted Room FAQ: Finding Oxford's Hidden Gem

Curious about visiting The Painted Room in Oxford? While we can tell you exactly where to find this historic gem at 3 Golden Cross, trying to call or email them is a bit like trying to chat with the Elizabethan painters themselves—as no active phone or email exists! Luckily, finding the physical address in the City Centre is much simpler.

How do I contact The Painted Room?

Direct contact details for The Painted Room are currently not provided. There are no active phone numbers, emails, or websites listed for inquiries.

What is the phone number for The Painted Room?

An official phone number for contacting The Painted Room is currently unavailable.

Does The Painted Room have an email address for visitor information?

No official email address is currently listed for visitor information or customer support at The Painted Room.

What is the address of The Painted Room?

The Painted Room is located at 3 Golden Cross, Oxford, OX1 3EU, England, GB.

Visual Highlights of The Painted Room

Images of The Painted Room in Oxford reveal rare Elizabethan wall paintings preserved on weathered historic plaster. These previews showcase intricate floral scrollwork, interlocking ogee arches, and centuries-old Gothic blackletter text rendered in warm red, orange, and beige tones. Visitors can expect to see how these sixteenth-century murals sit alongside historic wooden framing and ancient brickwork.

Close-up of Elizabethan wall paintings featuring interlocking ogee arches with floral motifs in reddish-orange and cream, with a fragment of blackletter text visible at the top.
Close-up of Elizabethan wall paintings showing Gothic blackletter text reading 'gods servants for that hold' above ornate red and cream floral scrollwork patterns on aged plaster
Historic interior room with large painted wall panels showing ornate geometric patterns in warm tones, topped with inscribed text, alongside dark wood paneling and a window draped with red curtains.
Close-up of Elizabethan wall paintings showing red and orange floral patterns with Gothic text inscriptions at the top
Close-up of medieval wall painting showing blackletter text reading 'of thi rest be thou' framed by decorative painted borders on aged plaster
A long interior wall covered in Elizabethan painted decorations with repeating floral motifs, quatrefoil shapes, and scrollwork in orange, brown, and white, with a wooden floor below and inscribed text along the top edge.
Two people standing before medieval wall paintings with Latin inscriptions and decorative patterns inside The Painted Room, with a wooden door visible to the right.
Close-up of ornate Elizabethan wall paintings featuring repeating lobed panels with floral motifs in warm orange, terracotta, and white tones
Close-up of faded medieval wall paintings with decorative patterns and inscribed text on a weathered plaster surface
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