About Boswell & Co, Oxford
Francis Boswell opened his portmanteau and luggage shop at 50 Cornmarket Street, Oxford in 1738 (approximately where Clarks Shoes now stands), decades before Captain Cook’s exploration of the Southern Hemisphere, and 17 years before Dr Johnson’s dictionary was first published. It really has been around for a very long time indeed!
The company remained in the Boswell family until 1890, when it passed to Arthur Pearson, who owned the Oxford Drug Company at 31 Cornmarket Street (which is now the Cornmarket entrance to the store). In 1929 Boswells moved to Broad Street, into brand new, purpose built premises, and there you’ll find us today!
Boswell & Co, Oxford remains an independent, family owned store to this day, and, according to Russell Ash’s Top 10 of Britain, it’s also the second oldest established department store in the UK! Yes, Boswells has had the very great pleasure of serving generations of Oxonians, and they certainly look forward to being here for many many more generations to come!
We’d like to think that Francis Boswell would be proud to see his business still alive and well.
Opening times
Store opening times
Monday – Friday except Thursdays: 9.30am to 6pm
Thursday: 9.30 am to 6:30 pm*
Saturday: 9.00 am to 6.00 pm
Sunday: 11:00 am to 5:00 pm
Bank Holidays: 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
* Pharmacy closes at 6pm.
Closed Christmas Day & Easter Sunday
1738 Tea Room opening times
Monday – Friday 9.30am to 5:00 pm
Saturday: 9.00 am to 5:00 pm
Sunday: 11:00 am to 4:00 pm
Bank Holidays*: 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
* Except where specified
Broad Street Cafe opening times
Monday – Friday: 7:00 am – 5:00 pm
Saturday: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Sunday: 9:30 am – 3:30 pm
Bank Holidays*: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
* Except where specified
