Hidden gem coffee shop near Bicester celebrates milestone

The Village Coffee Shop in Launton, near Bicester, was launched by Jen Walker after a pop-up venture at the pub revealed strong local demand.

They converted an unused family pool house into the café.

Ms Walker said: “I’ve always had a dream to run a coffee shop, and after a pop-up in the pub for six months, we saw a real need.”

With help from the community, including a petition and letters of support to planners, they secured permission to create the café, reflecting the area’s rural charm with repurposed materials and eco-friendly ideas.

“We’ve been kindly gifted items to repurpose,” Ms Walker said. “And the local Island Pond Wood committee gave us the idea to dead hedge the perimeter instead of replacing broken fencing panels, which all adds to our sustainability ethos.”

The café, which operates off-grid and is not connected to mains utilities, has proved popular despite its tucked-away location on a no-through road.

Ms Walker said: “We are tucked away down a no-through road, and it’s been wonderful to see so many people find us and then repeatedly visit.”

Visitors include cyclists, dog walkers, families, and people working remotely.

The shop also hosts community groups such as a knit-and-natter group, a book club, and a Rummikub group.

Ms Walker said: “The atmosphere from day one has been fantastic and gets better and better.

“We’ve added some light lunches—and puppuccinos, as we get lots of dog walkers.

“We have regulars who come alone for lunch and a chat.”

The most popular drinks are lattes and cappuccinos, while a mango and raspberry cake, made by a local supplier, has become a customer favourite.

The team say they are proud to support other small businesses, sourcing tea, coffee, cakes, and ice cream from the area.

While space and menu options remain limited by the off-grid setup, the cafe has introduced light lunches and kept the offering deliberately small and sustainable.

Visitors are encouraged to walk or cycle, and there is an emphasis on parking responsibly.

First-time visitors often express surprise and delight at finding a hidden gem in the countryside, Ms Walker said.

She said: “Every day, new people find us, and it’s always the same lovely reaction.

“We wouldn’t be here without the support of our customers, and we are so grateful.”

There are no immediate plans for expansion, with Ms Walker saying the team are happy to continue doing what they love for a second year of business.