This view of The Sheldonian Theatre with the Clarendon Building to its left is from Broad Street. ‘The Sheldonian’ is used for music concerts, lectures and University ceremonies such as such as graduation and matriculation (the formal process of entering a university). The University wanted a separate building specifically for graduation and degree ceremonies because these had become too rowdy to be held in the University Church of St Mary the Virgin as they previous had. The University approached the then Archbishop of Canterbury Gilbert Sheldon, who ultimately financed nearly the entire cost.

It’s another building designed by the prolific Christopher Wren, built between 1664 to 1669.