Overview

The Vaults and Garden Café is a self-service café located on the ground floor of the University Church of St Mary the Virgin, with step free access. It serves amazing and reasonably priced food, the staff are very friendly and supportive and the location next to Radcliffe Camera, the iconic domed building which is part of the famous Bodleian Libraries. There is indoor seating in the fourteenth-century vaulted restaurant or outside with an iconic Oxford view. I love this place and visited twice during my stay in Oxford.

Transport & Parking

The University Church of St Mary the Virgin which houses the café is located on the High Street, where you will find buses stops close by. Oxford Railway Station is about a 15-20 minute walk away.

Access

The café is inside the church, but I approached it directly via its own entrance through the gardens that face the Radcliffe Camera. The main entrance into the gardens has steps, see photo. There are three quite shallow steps with a handrail on both sides. However, there is a step free entrance in the side street called Catte Street, it’s on the left as you stand standing facing the church with your back to the Radcliffe Camera, see photo. From the step free route the first door you come to is the café’s exit and the second door is the café’s entrance, which is step free. There is a short interior corridor, where the lift is and a left turn into the vaulted café room. Both times I visited it was busy and I had to queue, but the queue moves quickly. Inside the restaurant there is a counter to one side, at standing height, where you can see the food on display, order and pay. Next to where you pay is an area to collect your cutlery. There are free standing tables and chairs inside the café. The step free exit takes you out into the garden. There is also additional seating in Catte Street, which is where I sat for both my visits as the main garden was full. There is free standing table and chairs in the main garden area, I have posted a photo from a previous visit so you get an idea of the lovely view from the garden. The seating in Catte Street is a mixture of free standing tables and chairs and fixed picnic table seat and benches.

Toilets

There is an accessible toilet which I didn't visit. It is accessible by lift.

Staff

Staff are amazingly helpful and friendly. It is a very welcoming place. On my first visit the waiter asked if I would like someone to carry my tray, as he saw my crutch. He rang a bell and someone came quickly to help. They asked me what I wanted from the cutlery area and then carried my tray outside, found and table and because a picnic table was all that was left, he went away and brought me a regular chair so I could sit with ease. It felt so lovely to be “seen” and my access needs being proactive provided for. On my second visit I asked at the counter for assistance and again it was quickly and cheerfully provided. Thank you all so much.

Anything else you wish to tell us?

This is my go-to place to eat when I am in Oxford. I love it. Everything is perfect food is delicious, sitting in the gardens is delightful. If you are in Oxford just go you won’t be disappointed. Just remember it’s open daily from 8.30am and closes at 5.30pm on Sundays and 6pm on the other days.

Photos