Britain's best bakeries - Oxford
- Emily Hancock
- Oct 11, 2017
- 4 min read
Before joining myBaker, I lived in Oxford for three years as a student. Now I may be biased, but I think that the city of dreaming spires boasts some of the best independent bakeries in the UK. Oxford is home to a vibrant café culture: in its eclectic mix of cosy tea rooms and modern coffee shops students fuel their latest essay crisis with caffeine or catch up with friends, whilst tourists rest their feet after a day of exploring. This week I’m taking you on a tour of Oxford’s narrow lanes and cobbled streets, directing you to the best bakeries in this historic city.
Start in Jericho. This historic suburb lies alongside the canal and outside of the old city walls, and was originally an industrial area and a sanctuary for travellers. These days it is a bustling residential neighbourhood, popular with locals and students alike thanks to its numerous bars, pubs, cafes and artisan shops.
On the far end of Walton Street, just before the turning to Port Meadow, a cake lover’s paradise is hidden behind a turquoise façade. Barefoot has been my favourite destination for coffee and cake ever since it opened just under two years ago. The window display is enough to turn the heads of passers-by – magnificent double-layer cakes decorated with edible flowers sit perched on stools alongside homely loaves of bread. The cakes on offer change seasonally but a few favourites remain: the ‘Decadent Vegan Chocolate’, ‘Sticky Toffee Apple’ and ‘Flourless Orange’ (to name a few) are available year-round. What’s more, the portions are incredibly generous. If you don’t fancy cake, indulge in a slice of banana bread (toasted and served with Greek yoghurt and honey), or one of Barefoot’s famous gooey brownies. The mismatched furniture and vintage tea cups make Barefoot a cosy retreat from the busy city centre – however if you can’t spare the time to venture to Jericho, you’ll be happy to hear that they supply several other cafes around the city (such as TSK, Quarter Horse Coffee and The Oxford Wine Café). Top tip: get there early for the best selection of cakes, they disappear rapidly!
Stroll back down Walton Street, past the grand pillars of the Oxford University Press and spaceship-like glass atrium of the Blavatnik School of Government, and turn up Little Clarendon Street. Tucked under an archway just before the back gates to Somerville College is the Natural Bread Company, an artisan bakery which specialises in bread but also serves a wide array of cakes and pastries. Try ‘Oxford’, their signature sourdough made of white wheat and rye, or pick up a saffron bun for a smaller snack.
Continue up Little Clarendon Street and up to the junction with St Giles. On the corner you’ll find Taylors, deli-come-café which is an institution in Oxford. They have several other branches across the city which all serve an array of sandwiches, salads and baked goods. My personal favourite? The pecan pie, sold by the slice. Top tip: go in after 2pm to enjoy a free cookie with any coffee!
Walk down leafy St Giles, past the famous Eagle and Child pub (where Tolkien and C.S. Lewis frequented). You’ll come across the Ashmolean Museum and then the Randolph Hotel – both of which serve a delightful Afternoon Tea. Take a left past the Martyrs Memorial and continue down Broad Street, which is overlooked by the grand frontages of Balliol and Trinity colleges. At the Clarendon Building, turn right down Catte Street and stroll past the Sheldonian Theatre and Bodleian Library. Soon you’ll find yourself in Radcliffe Square, under the imposing shadow of the Radcliffe Camera. Opposing the Radcliffe Camera is University Church of St Mary the Virgin, which is the historic heart of the university. Nestled under the spire is The Vaults and Garden, a favourite spot for students taking a library break. The café serves a range of delicious hot dishes which change daily, alongside a selection of cakes and pastries. Their indulgent chocolate cake and a cup of coffee was the perfect comforter after a long day studying in the Rad Cam. I also highly recommend their cream tea: the giant freshly-made scones served with jam, cream and butter are unrivalled in the city. In the summer months you can enjoy your tea outside in the churchyard and enjoy the splendour of the square.
Exit Radcliffe Square down St Mary’s Passage and walk up the High Street to the historic Covered Market. There are several tea-rooms and bakeries in here, but I suggest you head to The Cake Shop to admire the novelty cakes in their spectacular window display, and watch the cake decorators working within. Top tip: often on the counter they sell large bags of cake off-cuts and cupcakes for just £1.
Other favourite spots include Café Loco, which sits on St Aldates opposite the gates to Christchurch Meadows. They sell giant slices of cake and a wonderful selection of tray-bakes (think flapjacks, rocky road and brownies). The Buttery on Broad Street makes a delicious toffee tiffin, and The Rose on the High Street serves a fantastic selection of afternoon teas. And if you can face the trek out of the city centre to the northern suburb of Summertown, visiting Modern Baker is a must: they specialise in refined-sugar, gluten and dairy free sweet and savoury bakes, and make a delicious range of sourdough loaves.
This is by no means an extensive list – you’ll have to go and discover Oxford’s quirky cafes for yourself. If you've been to any of these bakeries, we'd love to hear what you think!