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ABOUT US
Situated in the heart of the picturesque and peaceful village of Blockley in the Cotswolds, we provide a retreat for the local community, foodies and those exploring the stunning area of outstanding natural beauty which surrounds us.
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Just a short drive from popular tourist hot-spots, villages and towns including Chipping Campden, Moreton-in-Marsh, Stow-on-the-Wold, Bourton-on-the-Water and Broadway Tower, we provide an all-year-round peaceful haven, away from the hustle and bustle, for foodies and families alike. We are disabled friendly.
There is free Wi-Fi throughout and we allow well-behaved dogs in downstairs.
Our menus, inspired by the seasons and the ‘local produce on our doorstep’ feature something for everyone. We are proud to work with some of the finest supplier’s and artisans, cooking as much as we can from scratch in our kitchen, making us far more than just a café, whatever time of the day.
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Whether it’s a coffee, breakfast, brunch, lunch, doughnut, pastry, dinner evening or a glass of wine, to dine in or take away, we can cater for all tastes. We are also open for all day dining Wednesday to Saturday so you can enjoy our varied menus at any time of the day, relax with a Gin and Tonic or feast on our artisan boards. As well as gourmet dinner evenings, we hold workshops combined with a meal.
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Our Cotswold stone home adjoined with Blockley Village Shop, was built six years ago, funded by the local community and Lottery Fund. The Shop and Café now continue to flourish under separate private owners who lease the building from a committee which represents the community.
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Craig Stanley became the proprietor of Blockley Café in 2017, with his passion for providing a great place for all to enjoy delicious, seasonal and local food, stemming from his upbringing in the village combined with the knowledge and experience gained from working in some of the Cotswolds finest country hotels. This also means Blockley Café is a chef-lead business, one of the key attributes that we believe set it apart from many others with attention to detail and a meal that’s not only delicious but achieved with as much skill as the artisans who supply our ingredients.
2021 sees Craig acquire an additional property in Moreton-in-Marsh with new business partners Simon and Julia Wright. He is inspired by all that’s been achieved here so far and by his desire to expand. This new venture will be separate from Blockley Café but the businesses will work to complement each other and reflect Craig’s ethos of local and seasonal produce throughout. As a Blockley born and bred lad, Blockley Café will always have a special place in all that he does.
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Craig and his team can also cater for a whole host of occasions from parties, baby showers, hen parties, birthday meals, weddings and many more, creating tailored catering solutions to your desired taste and budget to offer unforgettable experiences. This can be at the Café, a local venue or your home.
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We hope we can welcome you soon.
Meet The Team
The Boss
CRAIG STANLEY
Blockley born and bred, Craig got his first job, at the age of fifteen, as a kitchen porter in a local pub. Loving the buzz and seeing first-hand the chef’s creativity and passion, cooking and developing flavour combinations loved by customers, inspired him to move from the dishwasher to behind the stove and the rest is history. He went on to work at Buckland Manor and The Slaughters Manor House before helping to open the acclaimed SOHO Farmhouse in Oxfordshire where he was one of the senior kitchen team, until the opportunity arose for him to take on Blockley Café. Five years’ later, as the business continues to develop, Craig’s drive and enthusiasm continues with 2022 seeing the opening of an additional property on Moreton-in-Marsh High Street with new business partners Simon and Julia Wright, who, after seeing his work at Blockley Café, were enthused by his passion & dedication. When Craig’s not in the kitchen you will normally find him putting his skilful mind to work on his Nissan Skyline or on a drifting track in his BMW. His most recent project is taking on the restoration of a Ford Capri, this may take a little while as he fits it around his busy work life, but he is in no rush and looking forward to seeing it become his new pride and joy when it’s finished. When he wants peace and quiet some time by the lake fishing is a great way to unwind.
Right-hand man
JAMIE TOMS
Growing up on a Devon farm and spending his childhood tending his flock of pure breed poultry, Jamie always wanted to be a chef. His first job was in the Michelin starred kitchens at Gidleigh Park under Michael Caines. It was here his passion for using the best ingredients possible and being a true perfectionist was instilled in him. After spending five years there, Jamie moved to the Cotswolds (an area he had always been fond of) to be based at The Slaughters Manor House where he first worked alongside Craig. Becoming the best of friends, the opportunity arose for Jamie to join Craig at Blockley Café in the summer of 2019, allowing them to share their passion for creating and enjoying great food and drink, using local & seasonal produce. Jamie is instrumental in all areas of the café’s development and business growth. His and Craig’s aligned focus and understanding has allowed them to accelerate plans recently and an exciting future lies ahead. Very much obsessed about food and hospitality, when Jamie wants to relax he loves visiting the many wonderful restaurants & cafés that we are spoilt with here in the Cotswolds & surrounding counties.
Commander in chief
AMY STRINGER
With a love of the country and dog walks, where else in the world would you choose to live? Originally from Hartlepool, Amy moved to the Cotswolds to work at The Slaughters Manor House (where she first met Craig) to continue her cooking career as a chef. Now Mrs Stanley, it is easy to say we know how the tale unfolded. Giving birth to their son Edmund in January 2022, means Amy is a full time Mammy but looking forward to returning to ‘café life’ very soon. Amy’s passion for good food, drink and service, eating out and stylish interiors, means she is key to working on developing the café. Along with looking after Edmund, Amy can also be found pressing flowers or checking out somewhere great to eat and drink as well as exploring the Cotswolds with her and Craig’s dog Trooper.
NICKY
With many years of experience working in the hospitality industry, from hotels in Switzerland and London to running her own business in the Cotswolds, Nicky is an expert at hospitality admin and business development. She is the lady who looks after your reservation for special dinners, celebrations and events. When Nicky’s not at work she loves nothing more than enjoying brunch in the cafe or a 'cheeky' cheese scone after a long walk with her dogs.
ASH
Raised in the Vale of Evesham, a renowned market gardening town known for its exceptional asparagus, Ash’s love for cooking began at an early age. He has fond memories of baking with his Nan and helping his dad with the family dinners. Ash’s began his career in hospitality washing up in a local village pub, then went on to work in various roles from pot wash to front of house in a busy restaurant and bar. Realising his true passion lay in the kitchen Ash has worked ever since as a creative and skilled chef, sharing the Blockley Café passion for fresh and flavourful local produce. ​When not at work Ash enjoys a round of golf and catching up with friends over a beer.
ANNIE
With a passion for food, drink and country pursuits, Annie has loved living in the Cotswolds since moving here as a child. The two biggest things in her life have always been horse riding and hospitality, helping her parents to run their B&B and riding her horse Toby for the North Cotswold Hunt. ​She is very proud to be part of Blockley Café, taking care of customers and working alongside a wonderful team.
EMILY
Having lived in Blockley for most of her childhood, Emily always saw the café as the centre of the community and is very proud to be playing a role in growing the business. She loves being part of a vibrant team and has made some lovely friends. ​When not at the Cafe Emily often ventures out of the village to enjoy drinks with friends.
DILYA
Following a multinational education in Hungary, Germany and South Korea, and a successful and varied career, Dilya has found happiness in customer-facing roles. This has made her the perfect addition to the Blockley Café team, where she gives a warm welcome to visitors and makes a thorough fuss of their four-legged friends. Dilya is always keen to provide the highest levels of customer service and loves meeting people and experimenting with latte art (don't ask!). In her spare time, Dilya loves hiking and has tackled some of the highest peaks across the UK.
