Holywell Music Room

Holywell Music Room is an octagonal concert hall in Oxford designed to hold about 194 people, featuring large windows and carefully built acoustics for live classical music. The tiered seating arrangement and original architectural design make every seat suitable for hearing performances clearly.

The hall was built in 1748 as the first purpose-built concert venue in Europe, marking a turning point in how music was performed and heard. In the decades that followed, it became a center for sharing new musical compositions and hosting regular public performances.

The room holds deep meaning for English classical music tradition and shows how 18th-century Oxford audiences embraced new compositions and performance styles. Today visitors experience the same close connection between performers and listeners that shaped musical tastes centuries ago.

The venue sits on Wadham College's grounds and hosts various types of events, but it is best to contact ahead before visiting to confirm availability. The intimate size means advance planning helps ensure you can attend a performance or see the space when it suits your schedule.

The hall contains a rare Donaldson organ from 1790, one of the few remaining examples built by this organ maker. The chandeliers hanging in the room have an unexpected royal connection, having once illuminated Westminster Hall during a major state ceremony.

Location: Oxford

Address: Holywell Street, Oxford OX1 3SD

Website: https://music.ox.ac.uk/about/facilities/holywell-music-room

GPS coordinates: 51.75520,-1.25320

Latest update: December 10, 2025 20:02