High Street, Oxford facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
High Street

The High Street from St Mary's, looking east
Other name(s)	The High
Location	Oxford, England
Postal code	OX1
Coordinates	51°45′09″N 1°15′07″W / 51.7525°N 1.252°W / 51.7525; -1.252
East end	Magdalen Bridge
West end	Carfax
South	M
Other
Known for	Oxford colleges and buildings

The High Street in Oxford, England, is a famous road often called the High. It stretches from Carfax, which is like the city's main square, all the way to Magdalen Bridge in the east.

Discovering Oxford's High Street

A 19th-century photo of the High Street looking west. You can see University College on the left and the spires of University Church of St Mary the Virgin and All Saints Church in the distance.

Many people say the High Street is one of the most beautiful streets in the world. It has a gentle curve, which makes it a popular subject for artists and photographers. A favorite view shows the street looking west towards Carfax, with University College on the left and The Queen's College on the right.

This street is home to many historic buildings. A lot of these belong to the famous University of Oxford.

Famous Buildings on the High Street

The High Street is lined with amazing colleges and university buildings.

Buildings on the North Side

As you walk from west to east on the north side, you'll see:

• Lincoln College: Its main entrance is on Turl Street. It includes All Saints Church, which is now Lincoln College's library.
• Brasenose College: Its main entrance is in Radcliffe Square.
• St Mary's: This is the University Church.
• All Souls College
• The Queen's College
• St Edmund Hall: Its main entrance is in Queen's Lane.
• Magdalen College: This includes the tall and famous Magdalen Tower.

Buildings on the South Side

Walking from west to east on the south side, you'll find:

• Oriel College
• University College: Look for a special plaque outside, called the Boyle-Hooke plaque.
• The Examination Schools: Where university students take their exams.
• The Ruskin School of Drawing and Fine Art: A place for art students.
• The Eastgate Hotel: Located where one of the original city gates used to be.
• The Botanic Garden: A beautiful garden with many plants.

Shopping and History on the High Street

A view along the south side of the High Street, starting from the Carfax end.

The High Street has a mix of old and new shops.

Magdalen College with its famous tower, located at the eastern end of the High Street.

Historic Coffee Houses

The Queen's Lane Coffee House, found at the corner of Queen's Lane, opened in 1654. It might have been Oxford's very first coffee house! However, 'The Grand Café' Coffee House, which is across the street, also claims to be the oldest, saying it started in 1650.

Unique Shops and Businesses

Even though many big chain stores have moved into nearby Cornmarket Street, the High Street still has many special, independent shops. These include:

• Shepherd & Woodward: They sell clothing and items for university students.
• Payne & Son: Goldsmiths who make and sell jewelry.
• Sanders of Oxford: They sell prints and old maps.
• Waterfield's Books: A bookshop.

At the western end, between Cornmarket and Turl Street, you'll find the historic Covered Market. It has been a place to shop since 1774.

Famous People and Businesses

• William Henry Butler, who later became the Mayor of Oxford, had a wine shop on the High Street in the early 1800s.
• Edward Bracher, a very early photographer from the Victorian era, had a shop at 26 High Street. Another famous photographer, Henry Taunt, worked for him for a while.
• At 83 High Street, there's a special blue plaque. It remembers Sarah Cooper (1848–1932), who was a marmalade maker. Her husband, Frank Cooper, started the famous Frank Cooper jam business from shops at 83–84 High Street. They made "Oxford Marmalade" famous around the world!
• In 1879, George Claridge Druce, a well-known botanist and later mayor, opened his chemist's shop, Druce & Co., at 118 High Street.

Modern Additions

The Old Bank Hotel was the first new hotel built in central Oxford in 135 years. It also has a restaurant called Quod Restaurant & Bar.

Streets Connected to the High Street

Many other important and historic streets branch off from the High Street:

Images for kids

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  View down to buildings on the south side.

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  View eastwards towards The Queen's College.

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  All Saints Church, now Lincoln College's library

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  The Mitre Hotel

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  The Rhodes Building of Oriel College on the south side of the High Street.

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  Carfax, at the western end of the High Street.

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  Magdalen College and the High Street on May Morning, 2007.

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  Night view of the High Street with Christmas lights, looking east from Carfax.

Panoramic view of the High Street looking south from the tower of St Mary's Church.