10 Places To Enjoy The Sunshine In Oxford
When the sun comes out in Oxford, there’s no better place to be! Surrounded by beautiful buildings, lush parks and winding waterways, we’re spoilt for choice for places to lap up the rays.
However, if you’re keen to support your favourite Oxford independent businesses when you’re out and about (or even from the comfort of your own garden), here’s our top 10 places to enjoy the sunshine with social distancing in mind.
Alfonso Gelateria
Alfonso Gelateria is Summertown’s own artisan gelato food truck! Bringing you an authentic Italian gelato with an ever-changing choice of great flavours.
While gelato simply means “Ice-cream” in Italian, everyone knows it is so much more than that. The creamy texture and lasting flavour are characteristics unique to gelato, which is why the word is known all over the world.
They only use fresh ingredients of the highest quality sourced locally and/or sustainably whenever possible, and make their gelato fresh every morning – offering traditional flavours and some exciting alternatives too!
Perfect to cool down a summer stroll in Oxford.
Celia’s Cafe
Celia’s Cafe is the UK’s only mobile cafe bakery, specialising in Dutch baked treats. Travelling around Oxfordshire in Cora the Coffee Van, and currently set up at Harcourt Arboretum, it’s the place to be if you want to treat yourself to something Lekker. Using local businesses such as Jericho Coffee Traders, Jeeves & Jericho, and Team Tea for drinks, you can celebrate the best of Oxfordshire with a taste of Netherlands on the side!
Find Siobhan at the Arboretum Wednesday – Sunday: 10:00 – 16:00.
Pompette
The French word for tipsy — Pompette is a stylish wine bar and restaurant in Summertown, Oxford. Their terrace is a great place to catch some rays and soak up the European vibes.
Quod Restaurant & Bar
On Oxford’s bustling High Street, looking out onto St Mary’s Church and the iconic Radcliffe Camera, Quod Restaurant with its unrivalled location forms the lively hub of the Old Bank Hotel. They have created a broad menu of European classics with an emphasis on British produce, sourced locally wherever possible.
The courtyard to the back of the restaurant is lovely for afternoon tea or a cocktail or two!
St Michael’s Street
To create more outside seating in the city centre, the Oxford City Council have cordoned off a section of St Michael’s Street in the heart of Oxford so you can enjoy indies like The Handle Bar and Society Cafe in the sunshine.
The Folly Restaurant
The Folly relishes its status as one of Oxford’s independent, family owned restaurants. They offer an excellent dining experience in a unique location on the river. The Folly strives to be a sustainable business and offer a constantly evolving seasonal menu to take advantage of the freshest local produce and to reduce ‘food miles’ as much as possible.
The Magdalen Arms
The Magdalen Arms is a great gastro pub in the heart of East Oxford, serving sharing plates and Italian recipes straight from owner Tony’s family kitchen. The outside area is perfect for catching the sun in the evening.
The Oxford Artisan Distillery
The Oxford Artisan Distillery is the only distillery in the world to be using ancient populations heritage grain, all sustainably grown exclusively for TOAD on organic farms within a 50 mile radius of their site.
The Distillery is nestled amongst trees at the top of South Park, and there spacious outside space makes a great place for socially distanced drink. Book your table in advance to enjoy this gorgeous space.
The Perch
The Perch is one of Oxford’s oldest pubs, and a great place to stop for a relaxing refreshment after a stroll along the River Thames, across beautiful Port Meadow.
This is such a great spot for afternoon drinks or a leisurely meal. The large garden is a beautiful spot to while away a few hours in the summer.
Truck Store
Truck Store is Oxford’s independent music hub, a proper record shop in the heart of the city’s music scene, yet they’re so much more than just a record shop!
They always strive to make the store a friendly, welcoming environment where their enthusiasm for new music can be shared with the local community and beyond: they aim to be the place to come to pick up exciting recommendations and discover new music.
It’s a great place to grab a coffee and catch up with friends on Cowley Road.
If you’re out and about today, tag us in your Instagram posts using #indieoxford and you might be featured in our stories!
Love, Rosie xxx
