• HOME
  • ABOUT
  • FOOD & DRINK
  • MENU
  • WHAT’S ON
  • PHOTOS
  • CONTACT US

About

Want to get to know us better? Read on to find out who we are, how we got here, and what we’re all about.

Our Story

It’s a long story, but it’s a good one. If you go back 300 years and more, these barns were built as part of Northcourt Farm. The farm itself dates back almost  1,000 years, when it was started by the monks of Abingdon Abbey. Right up to 1945 the farm barns were working buildings, full of crops, machinery, and animals. And then until the 1990s, a dairy.

The old barn

Then for several years they stood empty, until the people of Christ Church (that’s the church in the big barn just behind the café) decided it was time to bring them to life again — to buy them, rebuild them, and create something special for the community. And after years of hard work, the vision became a reality.

All those centuries ago, the monks of Abingdon Abbey were big on offering hospitality to all. So what we’re doing now is following in their footsteps – opening up a place that’s full of good things.

Meet the Team

We’re a big team of friendly part-time volunteers supported by some paid staff; our full-time manager, Phil and part-time supervisors, Jo, Hannah and Emma and part-time administrator Jo.

The café opened in May 2013, and since then has been staffed by over 70 volunteers from churches in and around Abingdon – some for a short time, some for years! We gather and pray as small teams regularly, and as a whole team three times a year. We work hard to be able to provide the best food and drink we can.

Each person brings their individual gifts and skills, a love for Jesus, and a heart for the community of North Abingdon. It’s why the café is the way it is today – it is shaped by the love and care of each volunteer.

Christ Church

Tucked behind the café is another beautiful barn that dates back to the 13th century. It doesn’t have a pointy steeple, but it really is a church – or rather it has been since the 1960s. Like the café, it was restored and transformed by a group of Christians who wanted to create a place for the fast-growing population of North Abingdon.

Christ Church

If you haven’t ever been in, do take a look. You’ll find that there’s lots going on there during the week, for every age from pre-school to retired. And on Sundays, hundreds of people come here and to the ‘daughter church’ that meets in Long Furlong School. We’re Church of England, working closely with numerous other churches in Abingdon.

Latest Tweets

  • What is happening this week... We look forward to welcoming you into the cafe. #Abingdon #thebarnscafe #communiTea https://t.co/9R1SvxK0hd 2 days ago
  • How do you cheer up a gloomy Friday? With cake of course! Orange and Tumeric Loaf - A bright and sunny orange loaf… https://t.co/Z9wEO6AgVC 5 days ago
  • Have a project on the go? Why not pop along to the café today from 12.45 and enjoy some company and a cuppa... We a… https://t.co/Q6WLjG18Bb 6 days ago
  • Would you like to share a royal memory? We have an open submission call for our exhibition space - please share.… https://t.co/A4YuR7uQmx 8 days ago
  • Our summer menu is in full swing - we are loving serving you iced drinks, cream teas and salads. We just need a lit… https://t.co/u21gnIv1j7 9 days ago
  • Come along this morning for some paper folding and learn how to make these little roses. Tomomi will be here from 9… https://t.co/1u9YXtjaGu 14 days ago
  • **Open Submission Call** We are opening up our micro exhibition space for the Jubilee. Do you have a special memory… https://t.co/12yLYZlBTR 15 days ago
  • It's a full week for our amazing community groups - Why not pop along and give one a try!? A huge thanks to our wo… https://t.co/JKGGEV416Z 16 days ago

Our Address

The Barns Café, Christ Church
Northcourt Rd, Abingdon, OX14 1PL

There is plenty of free car parking behind us.

Latest Tweets

Visit us at Twitter: @thebarnscafe
  • What is happening this week... We look forward to welcoming you into the cafe. #Abingdon #thebarnscafe #communiTea https://t.co/9R1SvxK0hd
  • How do you cheer up a gloomy Friday? With cake of course! Orange and Tumeric Loaf - A bright and sunny orange loaf… https://t.co/Z9wEO6AgVC
  • Have a project on the go? Why not pop along to the café today from 12.45 and enjoy some company and a cuppa... We a… https://t.co/Q6WLjG18Bb
  • Would you like to share a royal memory? We have an open submission call for our exhibition space - please share.… https://t.co/A4YuR7uQmx
  • Our summer menu is in full swing - we are loving serving you iced drinks, cream teas and salads. We just need a lit… https://t.co/u21gnIv1j7
  • Come along this morning for some paper folding and learn how to make these little roses. Tomomi will be here from 9… https://t.co/1u9YXtjaGu
  • **Open Submission Call** We are opening up our micro exhibition space for the Jubilee. Do you have a special memory… https://t.co/12yLYZlBTR
  • It's a full week for our amazing community groups - Why not pop along and give one a try!? A huge thanks to our wo… https://t.co/JKGGEV416Z

Get in touch

Phone: 01235 534 465
Email: [email protected]
facebook
twitter

Opening Hours

  • MondayClosed
  • Tuesday9:00am - 4:00pm
  • Wednesday9:00am - 4:00pm
  • Thursday9:00am - 4:00pm
  • Friday9:00am - 4:00pm
  • SaturdayClosed
  • SundayClosed
 
Restaurant Guru 2021Best cafeThe Barns Cafe
©Copyright 2015 The Barns Cafe