Stratton Audley Barn - Cherwell

The barn cafe is an absolute delight. The staff are extremely friendly and polite and helpful. The food was really tasty and well presented. The decaffeinated latte was hot and delicious. The Christmas shop was very well stocked with wonderful present ideas.

I had heard good reviews of the Barn so when I spotted the sign to Stratton Audley I thought I would detour for a quick snack. I got to the counter at 2.02pm and asked if I could still get a roll from the lunch menu that was available until 2.00pm. An enquiry was made and the response was no everything was turned off I am reassured that in these strange times not every small business needs or wants customers. Best to drive on and find somewhere that values your business

Nice countryside location for this cafe and shop. A reasonable amount of parking and plenty of outdoor seating. But no prices on food drinks list displayed behind counter. No good if you queue at the counter to take food/drink outside. Prices on small print menu which was handed to you if they seated you inside. All very faffy why not let people choose their own table and then queue at counter? Coffee and cake were OK but very slow service. Bacon panini was very bland and boring two small slices of bacon, nothing else (no side salad, crisps or similar on the side). Very average won't bother returning.

The shop had a beautiful selection of Christmas trees, but we opted to have food at the cafe. The hot chocolate was made with water and tasted like warm dishwater - not worth the £3.50 price tag, especially since they had run out of marshmallows. My coffee and walnut cake turned out to be a heavy chocolate cake with coffee icing, which my daughter and I left mostly untouched. The food was overpriced and disappointing. Despite the lovely shop, I would not recommend the cafe. I will not be returning.

I highly recommend the Afternoon Tea at this restaurant. The treats are delicious and the portions are generous. It is a lovely place to dine with a friendly, quietly efficient atmosphere.