THE Sheldonian Theatre is the start and finish of an Oxford University student’s journey through academia but there is a good chance most Oxford residents haven’t been inside the historic building.

Now a series of tours running until October allow visitors to explore the iconic building and 900 years of Oxford University history.

The tours take in the history of the theatre, which opened in 1669, as well as the Clarendon and Bodleian quadrangles, the University Church and Radcliffe Square.

Senior events manager at the university, Kay Hogg, said: “It’s a bit of a cliche but the Sheldonian really is a hidden gem in the sense lots of people who live in Oxford don’t know you can visit it.

“It’s a building very close to the hearts of Oxford University students.”

Tours cost £8 (£6 for concessions) and tour dates appear two weeks in advance on www.sheldon.ox.ac.uk

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