MACDONALD RANDOLPH HOTEL - OXFORD

History - Macdonald Randolph Hotel, Oxford

The Randolph Hotel was built in 1864, the architect being William Wilkinson, who was responsible for the plans of many larger homes in North Oxford. At the same time there was much debate over the design of the building. Ruskin was in favour of Sir George Gilbert Smith's gothic revival, e.g. the martyrs' memorial. The city council advocated the classical design and did not want to see the neo-gothic style extended into Georgian Beaumont Street. Eventually, a compromise was reached and a simplified gothic design was accepted, described as Scottish Early English, following the example of the University Museum and the Union Debating Society.

Contrary to popular belief, the hotel was not named after Randolph Churchill (who had connections with nearby Blenheim Palace). It received its name because of its close proximity to the Randolph Gallery, part of the new Ashmolean Museum. This gallery was built as a result of a £1000 benefaction left by Dr Francis Randolph, Principal of St Albans Hall (part of Merton College since 1882). He died in 1796.

Due to this connection with the Randolph family, the hotel has adopted the family crest which is described in Fairburns' Crest as antelopes' head, erased (i.e. severed from the body) in gold. Burke gives the shield of the family as gules (crimson), on a cross of argent (silver), five mullets pierced sable (black). A mullet in heraldry, was Old French for a spur, rowel and was portrayed as a star with five points.

A notable member of the family was Dr John Randolph, who held four professorships and three bishoprics in turn and was known at the end of the eighteenth century because of his reputation for lecturing by candlelight to slumbering students.

On 23 April 1864 a builder stated that the Randolph Hotel had been designed with a view of making it a first class hotel...with several suites of rooms... which will possess all the comfort and the quietude of private dwellings. Due to constant care and major refurbishment in 1952, 1978, 1988 and 2000 and regular modernisation, the Randolph endeavours to maintain this tradition.