AN HISTORIC Oxford room that once played host to William Shakespeare will open to the public on the Bard’s birthday.

The Cornmarket Street room above clothes shop Republic was once part of a 17th century inn which hosted the playwright.

He is believed to have stayed there when travelling between London and Stratford-upon-Avon when it was the Crown Inn. It was run by friend John Davenant, who was Mayor of Oxford in 1621.

Last year the Oxford Preservation Trust took on the lease to find a way to make it more accessible to the public. And to celebrate Shakespeare’s 449th birthday on Tuesday, April 23 it will open for a week of guided tours by Oxford Castle Unlocked

Trust director Debbie Dance said: “It is hugely important to Oxford’s history, with links to Shakespeare. We want to share it with as many people as we can.

“We are at an early stage of finding a permanent solution to giving the public access, but in the meantime people can enjoy a taster of what could be in store.”

Oxford Castle Unlocked’s Ellie Stokes said: “The trust has asked us to take on the Painted Room and use our experience of giving guided tours.

“We will see how this goes. It is an awareness raising exercise as well.”

The playwright’s birthday will also be celebrated with the revival of a ceremony which began in the 1930s. It will see a procession from the Lord Mayor’s chambers at Oxford Town Hall, St Aldates to the Painted Room itself.

Costumed guides will run tours from the Bard’s birthday to Sunday April 28 from 10am to 4pm.

The room was put up for rent by Oxford City Council in 2011 on condition it be opened to visitors by arrangement. Entry will be £3 and tours will run every 20 minutes.

HISTORY OF THE SITE

  • The earliest building recorded on this site was established in about 1260, as part of Oseney Abbey.
  • It was the property of New College from around 1400 and passed to the City of Oxford in 1921. For much of that 500-year history, it was an inn.
  • The Painted Room itself is thought to have been reserved for important guests.
  • More recently is has been home to a firm of tailors and the Oxford Preservation Trust itself.
  • Its wall paintings, which date from the 16th century, were rediscovered in 1927 after having been covered with oak panelling.
  • On its walls are decorations of fruit and flowers, as well as warnings such as “Serve god Devoutlye” and “Feare god above allthyng”.