No. 6: Vacant
This building next-door to Boswell House dates from about 1800. It is Grade II listed (List Entry No. 1047342), and is owned by Oxford City Council. It is in St Michael-at-the-Northgate parish.
In 1772 a survey of every house in the city was taken in consequence of the Mileways Act of 1771. The house that then stood on this site was in the occupation of a Mr George, and its frontage measured 7 yards 2 feet 6 inches.
The premises extend as far south as Ship Street and include a bastion of the former city wall.
By 1822 the solicitor Crews Dudley moved his office to 6 Broad Street and lived upstairs with his family. The 1841 census shows him here with his wife Jane and their unmarried daughter, also Jane, plus two servants. He died here at 6 Broad Street on 19 December 1846.
His son John Crews Dudley moved into 6 Broad Street on his father's death with his wife and children, and they can be seen here in the 1851 census (but with this house at No. 6 given the numbered 7). His first wife Elizabeth died 3 March 1850. leaving him with five children including a baby, George Dennis Dudley, who was to take over the business from his father in 1875. The 1861 census shows Dudley occupying both 6 & 7 Broad Street, and although the 1871 census lists Dudley simply at No. 6 with his son George, now an articled clerk, and his two daughters, plus a cook and housekeeper, it is likely that he occupied the upstairs of No. 7 as well, as there was no listing for that number, probably because at this point it was part of No. 6.
At the time of the 1881 census No. 6 Broad Street was occupied by Joseph A. Muir (a tailor & outfitter employing twelve men). He lived over his shop with his wife and five young daughters, looked after by a cook and housemaid. The shop can be seen in 1881 on the right of this photograph (Historic England HT00122), with a girl looking out of the first-floor window:
William Baker had moved into No. 6 by 1882.
On 25 June 1887 Mallam's inserted the following advertisement in Jackson's Oxford Journal for the sale by auction of 6 and 7 Broad Street:
Very valuable long-leasehold property comprising a large and convenient PRIVATE RESIDENCE, exceedingly well-built and arranged, and in the best possible order and repair, with Garden, Conservatory, &c., in the occupation of Mr. William Baker; also TWO SETS of commodious OFFICES, in the occupation of Mr. Arthur E. Ward and Mr. J. Drakeford, situated and being 6 and 7, Broad-street, Oxford.
Nos. 6 and 7, BROAD STREET.—No. 6 contains extensive cellarage, kitchen, scullery, larder, pantry, etc., in the basement; entrance hall, large dining room and morning room, with charming conservatory, on the ground floor; a large and lofty drawing room, lighted by three windows, bed room, and w.c., on the first floor; two bed rooms, bath room, and dressing room, on the second floor: and two large attics over; also two good bed rooms and an attic over the offices adjoining. The Garden is nicely laid out at the back of the two houses. No. 7, Broad-street was formerly part of the above premises, but the communication is now cut off. There are capital cellars throughout the basement, two convenient and well lighted offices on the ground floor, and two large ditto above the rest of the house, being part of No. 6.
The Property is one of the most central and desirable positions in the City of Oxford, immediately opposite Balliol College, and within a few steps of the principal streets of the City. It is held by Lease under the City of Oxford for a term of 40 years from 29th Sept. 1879, at a yearly rental of $4 7s. 6d. and 8d. acquittances by equal portions on 25th March and 29th September, and also two couple of good fat capons or 3s. in money on 29th September.
At the time of the 1891 and 1901 censuses the General Practitioner of Medicine Mark Dugald Stark (38) was living here with his wife and three daughters, and their governess, cook, parlourmaid, and housemaid.
The 1911 census shows Richard Henry Hawkins (6) and his wife Sarah (33), who had three young children, running a lodging house in the twelve rooms of accommodation here at 6 Broad Street. There were no lodgers on census night, which was during the university vacation.
Various government departments were housed here between 1921 and 1947.
From 1949 until 1970 it was the Broad Street post office (which was formerly at No. 12).
- See the memories of Connie Coppock, who worked here during the Second World War.
From 1974 the shop was used as Blackwell’s Children’s bookshop, which moved next door in 1986 when this building was taken over by the Oxford Story.
It has been a shop again since 2008, and the upper floors and back have been Jesus College's Ship Street Centre since 2010.
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Occupants of 6 Broad Street listed in directories |
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1823–1875 |
Solicitors 1823–1846: Crews Dudley & Son |
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1875–1881 |
Joseph Alison Muir |
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1882–1889 |
William Baker |
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1890–1906 |
Mark Dugald Stark, Physician & Surgeon |
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1907–1909 |
Charles Hadland |
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1910–1914 |
Richard Hawkins (Mrs Hawkins from 1912), University lodging house |
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1918–1920 |
Oxfordshire Women’s Agricultural Committee |
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1921–1947 |
Numerous Government Departments, e.g. |
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1949–1970 |
Broad Street Post Office |
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1972–1973 |
Carmita, Bahay Kubo Enterprises Ltd Gift shop |
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1974–1986 |
Blackwell’s Children’s Bookshop (moved from No. 22, and moved on to No. 8) |
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1986–2007 |
The Oxford Story |
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2008–2009 |
ExStore |
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2010–2017 |
Cath Kidston |
At the back: |
2017–2026 |
Mountain Warehouse |
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2026– |
Vacant |
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