Dark Horse Roastery, tucked away at Highlands Farm in Brightwell-cum-Sotwell near Wallingford, is a beautifully grounded example of passion turned into purpose. Founded by Emily, whose journey in speciality coffee spans over two decades in London, the roastery is the natural evolution of a heartfelt vision that began with a converted childhood horsebox. What started as a mobile coffee shop serving carefully sourced brews has grown into a dedicated roasting space driven by quality, ethics and connection.
At the heart of Dark Horse Roastery is a commitment to sourcing exceptional green coffee directly from producers. Emily places great importance on building meaningful relationships with farmers, learning from them and ensuring that every bean is treated with respect from origin to cup. Each roast is approached with care, precision and deep knowledge, resulting in coffees that are both distinctive and consistently excellent.
Beyond roasting, Dark Horse plays an active role in supporting local independent businesses, sharing expertise and helping elevate the coffee experience across the community. It is not just about coffee here, but about storytelling, sustainability and a genuine love for the craft.