The original Crown Inn was where McDonald's is now and was a tavern from the 14th century and later a coaching inn. The present building was the site of the stables and outhouses and created about 1840. William Shakespeare is reputed to have stayed at the Crown Inn when visiting his friend John Davenant who owned the Crown Tavern which was opposite in Cornmarket Street. The Crown was bought by Morrell’s in 1943, then Bass Charrington, and was the first Nicholson’s pub in Oxford and like the others, offers a range of real ales, with tasting notes provided, and food is served all day. The histories of the three pubs have become somewhat entwined, particularly by Nicholson's.