With a name like “Summertown”, this leafy, sophisticated area of Oxford, had to be a happy, feel-good kind of place, didn’t it? We opened our third White Coco shop here in April this year and couldn’t be more thrilled.

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The area, on the north side of this dreamy city, is a bit cool really. We’ve settled into No 13 South Parade, wedged between the Woodstock Road & Banbury Road, and already feel part of the thriving community of restaurants, wine bars, health food shops, patisseries, a farmers market, wine specialists, butchers..and much more.

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If you’re not familiar with this part of Oxford, you really do need to visit. We wandered idly around this week, (fuelled by cups of the most delicious coffee from the many top-class coffee server in the area), filling baskets as we went with goodies to take home for supper. A few chores were accomplished, a few gifts purchased, whilst weaving our way amongst bicycles strapped to lamposts and students making their way excitedly to lectures. Come with us as we take you on a little guided tour of the treasures that this café society area has in abundance…and you'll discover that it's so worth planning a trip to come and see our new baby and all that this bustling area has to offer..

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For Healthy Living - "Wild Honey"

It has to be good for you when your next door neighbour is a health and organic food shop! "Wild Honey" offers the very best in anything from organic sprouting seeds to natural rejuvenating skin toner. The staff here are friendly, know their stuff and always have a tantalising range of sourdoughs & local honeys for sale, as well as being a refill station! They are also examples of the very best of neighbours by happily accepting deliveries for us when they arrive outside our opening hours! Wild Honey, we love you. Thank you for keeping us well and wholesome!

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For a balanced Working Life..."The Cluster"

Summertown's newest co-working space has opened opposite the White Coco shop. Not only does this look like pretty much thetrendiest environment in which to work but there's also the most delightful coffee/cafe/meeting place attached to it, converted from an old barn, enabling you to break away from your desk and meet both other workers using the space and the general public...who are also very welcome to pop in for coffee. You'll see a happy, daily mix of self-employed entrepreneurs sipping delicious bengal coffee on tables next to retired academics and young mothers with babies. Talk about keeping you grounded (no pun intended)

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For Bookworms - "Daunt Bookshop"

We walked into this gorgeous book shop and let ourselves be swallowed up amongst the endless shelves groaning with fiction and non-fiction alike. Whether you're a Bronte or a Dolly Alderton, there's a novel here for you. Whether you're obsessed with Parisien architecture or the politics of south-east Asia, you'll find your bag. And there's something about those green lamps that makes you go all "booky"...

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For a taste of Colombia...

Located on a pivotal corner of the Banbury Road and South Parade, the Colombia Coffee Roasters tempt us daily with the smell of freshly ground coffee wafting from their door. Stock up on a wide range of Colombian specialty coffee and experience the intense flavours at their freshest. Their skilled baristas will prepare a variety of drinks all day and it would be rude not to pick up a litle something to go with...

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For Good Hair Days - Popham Hair Salon

In Summertown to dress shop and have lunch? Why not make a day of it and treat yourself to a new "do" at Popham. You'll find one of their three salons in South Parade, just a few doors away from White Coco. Winners of several prestigious awards, they are such a well-known part of the Oxford hair scene. You'll not be disappointed ...

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For Art's Sake...the Sarah Wiseman Gallery

We love walking past the windows of Sarah's gallery. Just a few doors away from White Coco, the windows are forever changing and embracing contemporary artists who entice you in through the door with their inspiring works of art. A destination for lovers of contemporary art, the Sarah Wiseman Gallery is an inspiring experience for locals and visitors to Oxford alike. And it's not just paintings.....

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For Something Old, Something New, Borrowed Bread & Awning Blue...

Different generations of eateries and coffee houses live happily next to each other along the Banbury Road, each offering their own unique selection of lunches and drinks to wet your whistle

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For Life...

We reckon that an awful lot of people started coming to Summertown during their weekends, pulled in by the laid back, Cafe Society scene and ended up falling in love with the idea of making its lifestyle and bicycle-lined streets, their real life. To live in the roads with pretty cottages which rub shoulders with chunky Victorian villas, all standing amidst the hallowed halls of some great schools, could just be a dream come true. There's a community feel to the area that's rarely found in a city...

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In short, we feel tinged with just a little bit of urban cool being in Summertown.

Do come to see us and all that's on offer here at

White Coco, No 13, South Parade, Oxford OX2 7JN

and if you want to take home a little something from us to remind you of this charming corner of the city of Oxford, snap up one of our "Summertown Candles"! She smells exquisite...