The Sheldonian Theatre (telephone 277299) was built in 1664-9 by Sir Christopher Wren at the cost of Archbishop Sheldon, the then Chancellor of the University. It originally served the dual purpose of providing a venue for University meetings and ceremonies (the conferring of degrees is one of many ceremonies that still take place here - graduates attend in full academic dress which, incidentally, must also be worn for examinations) and of housing the University Press, which was set up in the roof. An easy flight of stairs leads to the cupola from where you can obtain a panoramic view of the city. The painted ceiling of the theatre itself represents Truth casting out Ignorance and Envy.

The Clarendon Building, on the corner of Catte Street and Broad Street, was constructed in 1713 as a new home for the University Press, where it remained until 1830 (when it moved to its present home in Walton Street). Its rooms are now University offices.