Oxford History: The High

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The present No. 115 dates from the late eighteenth or early nineteenth century. It is a Grade II listed building (List Entry No. 1047255). It was in the parish of All Saints until that church closed in 1971, and is now in the parish of St Michael-at-the-Northgate. It is owned by University College.

R. A. H. Spiers wrote about this shop in Round about “The Mitre”at Oxford (1926):

The large shop in the High Street now occupied by Messrs Rowell & Son was formerly Tom’s coffee-house. The front portion … was the general room, but the back room was the sanctum of dons, and Mr Wyatt (who formerly occupied these premises) used to point out the Chippendale chairs which had been there more than a century, and tell how the room was always known as ‘The House of Lords’, set apart for men like Tom Warton or Dr Johnson. The chairs had been sat on by many a learned talker, while he and his listeners enjoyed their pipes and coffee. In the seventeenth century these premises were known as the King’s Arms. They were occupied in 1751 by a Captain Jolly, a well-known coach owner, who probably also rented the adjoining Coach Offices.

This shop used to have a large room at the back, known as the Long Room, which was accessed from a passage at the side. From about 1829 the Long Room was the first proper home of the Oxford Union Society (founded in 1823), and debates took place here until they moved into their new premises in St Michael Street in 1857. (The Long Room was sold to Lincoln College in 1969 and demolished and replaced by student accommodation.)

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James Wyatt the Elder and Younger at 115 High Street (1806–1885

The Wyatt family sold prints here for most of the nineteenth century. James Wyatt the elder (1774–1853) was the son of Oxford baker Thomas Wyatt, and was apprenticed to the carver and gilder Robert Archer in 1790. In 1806 he set up his own business in this shop. He should not be confused with the shoemaker also called James Wyatt, who had a shop very near until 1816; but there was obviously confusion in the early days, as this announcement in Jackson's Oxford Journal of 3 February 1816 indicates:

JAMES WYATT, Carver and Gilder, High-street, Oxford, has just seen a Circular Letter, from Mr. T. Sadler, which states that Mr. Sadler “intends shortly to recommence the trade of Chemist and Druggist, in the premises now occupied by Mr. James Wyatt, opposite All Saints' Church.” It is very probable it may be imagined that J. Wyatt, Carver and Gilder, is about to relinquish his business, or to remove to other premises; he therefore takes this early opportunity of acquainting his Friends and the Public, that Mr. Sadler is going to the house now occupied by MR. WYATT THE SHOEMAKER, and J. Wyatt, Carver and Gilder hopes for a long continuance of the favours of the University and City, in the house he now occupies.
High-street, Oxford, Feb. 2d, 1816.

In 1823 James Wyatt the elder was listed in Pigot’s Directory as being a printseller in the High Street. He was also a prominent figure in Oxford’s public life, serving as councillor and alderman for nearly 40 years and as Mayor of Oxford in 1842/3.

At the time of the 1841 census James Wyatt  (67), described as a gilder, lived over his shop here with his wife Mary and their three grown-up children: James Wyatt the younger and his wife Eliza, and Ann and Elizabeth, plus two female servants. His wife Mary died later that year at the age of 78, and was buried at St Mary the Virgin Church.

John Everett Millais (1829–96), who stayed here several times between 1846 and 1849, painted a well-known picture of James Wyatt the elder with his granddaughter Mary (born 31 August 1845) in this house.

At the time of the 1851 census James, a widower of 77 described as an Alderman, still lived here with his unmarried daughters Ann (41) and Elizabeth (40) and his son James junior (39), who now ran the business, his daughter-in-law Elizabeth (36), and his grandchildren Mary (5) and Sarah (2), plus three servants.

James Wyatt the elder died in 1853, and the 1861 census shows James Wyatt the younger living here with his wife Eliza and his three daughters Mary, Sarah, and Florence Mildred, and his son James, as well as his unmarried sisters Ann and Elizabeth. In 1871 he was described as a carver & gilder employing five men and one boy, and his three daughters were still at home. At the time of the 1881 census when he was 70 he was described as a JP and printseller, and was still living over the shop with his wife and his youngest daughter Florence. James Wyatt the younger died on 8 August 1882 at the age of 71.

On 7 February 1885 Jackson's Oxford Journal advertised the forthcoming auction of 115 High Street:

THE VALUABLE AND EXTENSIVE FREEHOLD BUSINESS PREMISES,
KNOWN AS 115, HIGH STREET, OXFORD ...
having a frontage of about 33 feet, and extending a depth of about 150 feet, and containing—

On the ground floor—Commanding Double-fronted Shop, Sitting Room (overlooking small garden), large Kitchen and Scullery, &c. The side-passage, giving a separate approach to the House, also leads through an ante-room to two large and lofty Picture Galleries, respectively 22ft. by 55ft., and 22ft. by 16ft., so arranged as to form one large room 22ft. by 77ft., if desired: and

On the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd floors—Seventeen Bed and Sitting Rooms.

Excellent Cellarage and Workshops in the basement.

This Property, situated in the very best part of the High-street, being one of the few remaining Freehold sites, may justly be considered one of the most valuable in the City of Oxford, and is well worthy the attention of those seeking extensive premises for occupation, or a first-class Freehold investment. Early possession can be arranged.

No. 115 was sold for £4,360 at the auction, and it was purchased by Richard Sydenham Rowell.

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Rowell's the jeweller at No. 115 (1887–1986)

In 1885 Rowell & Harris, jewellers, moved from 20 High Street to these premises at 115 High Street. The 1891 census shows the jeweller George Harris (43) living above the premises with his wife Sarah and their servant. By 1893 the firm was named Rowell & Son, and John Harris (61), described as a a college servant, living above this shop with his wife Kate and their daughter Ethel.

At the time of the 1911 census Herbert George Walker (33), described as a jeweller's shop assistant, lived in the nine rooms above this shop with his wife Annie and their son, plus one servant.

The 1921 census shows Herbert G. Walker (43), a jeweller's salesman at Rowell's, living in five rooms above this shop with his wife Annie and their son.

This photograph shows the upper storeys of Rowell & Son Ltd's shop here in 1943. :

In 1986 the jewellery business was closed by the then owners, the Goldie family, who were related to the Rowells.

(Former employees of the original firm then started up a new jewellery business called Rowell’s in Turl Street, retaining the old name-plate, but that in turn closed down in 2020.)

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Since 1986

No. 115 High Street was taken over by the Liberty retail company in 1986, and then by Hobbs Outfitters in 1997.

It became empty in 2017 when Hobbs moved, and in October 2019 Lincoln College obtained planning permission to change the first floor of the shop at No. 115, together with that of Nos. 113 & 114 next door, from retail to office use: 19/02284/LBC

In December 2024 Knead Bakery submitted planning application 24/02846/LBC relating to the building, and the Planning, Design, & Access Statement under the Documents tab gives extra information about this building. It opened on the ground floor in June 2025.