133: Hay’s Accountancy Personnel
No. 133 was rebuilt in 1937. With a frontage of 6ft 6in, it is one of the narrowest buildings in Oxford.
There is little today on the ground floor, but the offices upstairs spread over to 134 next door.
The building is owned by Oxford City Council and was put up for sale in December 2001.
In 1772 a survey of every house in the city was taken in consequence of the Mileways Act of 1771. No. 133 was then in the occupation of a Mrs Green, and its frontage measured a minuscule 2 yards 2 feet 10 inches.
The tiny building on this site was a pub for many years. The Split Cow was here from 1731, and in 1810 was renamed the Vine (although it is marked on maps as The Grapes). It is listed in an 1846 directory as still having a coach office.
The 1851 census shows George Baker, the landlord, living here with his wife and baby daughter and a young girl of 11 as their general servant.
In 1861 the inn was occupied by Joseph King and his wife.
In 1881 the then landlord, Edward Elson, lived here with his wife and daughter and a boarder.
The Oxford Chronicle of 11 October 1884 (p. 7e) reported that a new oak front, designed by H. J. Tollit and with the work carried out by J. Ward, was fitted to the Vine.
The Vine was bought by Halls in 1888, and closed in 1905.
| Occupiers of 133 High
Street Grey background = former building now demolished | |
| 1810–1904 |
The Vine Inn Richard Smith (1817) |
| 1905–1907 | Oxford
Geographical Institute (William Stanford & Co. Ltd.) |
| 1908–1915 | Sherratt
T. Scott Auctioneer & estate agent & valuer |
| 1916–1937 | William
R. Rose Ltd. Photographers |
| 1937–1964 | William
R. Rose Ltd. Photographers |
| 1967–1998 | Automobile
Association (with 134 next door by 1993) – Guardian Royal Exchange |
| 1998–present | Hay’s Accountancy Personnel |