In amongst the modern shopfronts of Cornmarket seems an unlikely place to find a beautiful room decorated with flowers, where Shakespeare stayed. But it was due to a happy accident that the wall paintings were panelled rather than painted over and that when they were rediscovered in 1927 their importance was recognised. Since 2013 Oxford Preservation Trust has been working to restore the paintings, and make sure they're open to the public as often as possible.
This weekend sees their opening because of their Shakespearean link: John Davenant, a wine merchant and friend of Shakespeare's, owned the building, and Shakespeare stayed here on his trips between Stratford and London. Was John's wife Jane romantically entangled with Shakespeare? Was William Davenant really a son of the bard's and not just his godson? Only the flowers know the answer to this, but it adds to the intrigue of the painted room.
There's no need to book - just turn up. Entry is free to OPT members, or £5 for non-members. Membership helps the preservation of more of Oxford's unusual or historically important buildings and land, and helps keep places like the painted room open to visitors.
