THE traditional procession celebrating William Shakespeare’s birthday took to the streets of Oxford yesterday.

University scholars and local dignitaries joined forces to mark the occasion in true Oxford style.

The Lord Mayor Colin Cook lead the way as the procession snaked through the city streets from Oxford Town Hall.

The parade, complete with various dignitaries dressed head to toe in full costume, made its way from the Lord Mayor’s Parlour through to the Painted Room in Cornmarket Street – where Shakespeare is believed to have stayed when it was the Crown Tavern. Shoppers stood by to take pictures and applaud the procession, complete with musical accompaniment.

The Painted Room is one of the city’s hidden gems among the hustle and bustle of shoppers and tourists.

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The 14th century timber-framed Crown Tavern features panelled walls, an early fireplace and Elizabethan wall paintings.

William Shakespeare is believed to have been born on April 23, 1564, and baptised on the 26th. He was close friends of tavern owner John Davenport, a London vintner and would often stop off in Oxford to stay at the Crown on his way between Stratford and London.

The room, is now a prime focus of Shakespeare’s birthday, and, under the Oxford Preservation Trust, open to the public just a few days annually.