Venue information

Cornerstone Arts Centre is a purpose-built, professional arts, culture and entertainment venue in the heart of Didcot, brought to you by the South Oxfordshire District Council.

Opened in 2008, it presents a high-quality programme of live performances, participatory activities, exhibitions and outreach work that meet the needs and enhance the experiences of the local community and beyond.

The RIBA award-nominated building comprises a 220-seat auditorium, café bar, art gallery and four studios – perfect for dance and arts activities and meetings. The auditorium is a multi-functional space with retractable bleacher seating and a flat floor stage, providing flexibility as to the best set-up for performances.

Gallery

Each season, the Visual Arts Gallery showcases a diverse programme of work by local and national artists, spanning painting, printmaking, installations and video, with a particular focus on 2D practice. Visitors are invited to discover new and exciting artwork from across the country, with many pieces available to purchase, often alongside more affordable smaller prints.

The gallery offers a calm, welcoming space to pause, reflect and let your imagination wander. Entry is free, and the gallery can be enjoyed at any time during opening hours.

Café Bar

This welcoming café prides itself on creativity, care and a warm atmosphere for everyone. Open Monday to Saturday from 10am, it has built a reputation for serving some of the best coffee and cake in Didcot.

Guests can curl up with a book, work or study in the quiet area, keep little ones entertained in the kids’ corner, or meet friends in a relaxed setting. The menu includes delicious light lunches, cakes from Barefoot of Oxford and Ardington Bakery, alongside Jeeves and Jericho Tea and UE wood-roasted coffee.

Beyond food and drink, the café hosts a lively programme of free events, including regular Friday evening live music, monthly open mic nights and Café Scientifique. From January, visitors can also look out for new Saturday afternoon events such as Makers Markets, Record Clubs and LEGO sessions for children.

Tickets

Booking tickets at Cornerstone is straightforward, with a friendly team on hand to help.

There are three main ways to book: in person, by phone or online. Pre-booked tickets can be collected from the Box Office either in advance or on the night of the performance. For more detailed booking enquiries, contact the Box Office on 01235 515144.

Getting there

Walking or cycling
Cornerstone is very easy to access if you are local. It is situated in a pedestrianised area, and you are encouraged to walk or cycle if you can.

By car
Didcot is accessible via the A34, A417 and A4130. The M40 is around 30 minutes away, and the M4 is 20 minutes away (traffic permitting). There is no parking on-site, but there are two short-stay car parks nearby. Orchard Centre car park (SATNAV: OX11 7ND) is free for the first two hours, after 7.00pm (with a maximum stay of 5 hours) and all day Sunday. Edinburgh Drive off Didcot Broadway (SATNAV: OX11 7HS).
Long-stay parking is available next to Orchard Centre car park (just off Hitchcock Way next to Sainsbury’s) and Didcot Parkway train station.
Disabled parking is available at the top of Station Road, next to the Cineworld cinema, in front of Boots the chemist on Broadway and in the Edinburgh Drive car park.

By train
Cornerstone is just a seven-minute walk away from Didcot Parkway train station. Trains run from Didcot Parkway to Reading, London Paddington, Oxford, Bristol and beyond.

By bus
There are also four bus stops within walking distance. Services are operated by Thames Travel and Oxford Bus Company.

Opening times

Normal box office opening hours:

Monday to Saturday – 10.00am to 5.00pm

Sunday – Closed (or on show days 30 minutes before start of show)

Cafe winter opening times:

Monday to Saturday – 10.00am to 4.30pm

Sunday – Closed (or on show days 30 minutes before start of show)

Accessibility information

Cornerstone Arts Centre is a modern, purpose-built venue designed to be inclusive, accessible and welcoming to all visitors.

The building is fully accessible for wheelchair users, with step-free access, a lift serving all floors, wheelchair spaces available in the auditorium, and accessible toilets on every level. Getting around the venue is straightforward, and the layout has been designed with ease of access in mind.

To help visitors plan their visit in advance, Cornerstone has worked with AccessAble to produce a Detailed Access Guide, created following an on-site assessment by trained surveyors.

Seating in the auditorium is 45cm wide and includes fixed armrests. A limited number of seats without armrests are available; the Box Office team will be happy to assist with reservations if contacted in advance.

For patrons with hearing difficulties, an infrared hearing support system is available in the auditorium. Headsets can be requested from the Box Office. Please note that there is no induction loop.

Accessible parking is available nearby, including spaces outside PureGym on Broadway with step-free access, at Edinburgh Drive car park, and at the Orchard Centre car park. Please be aware that access from the Orchard Centre car park includes steps.

Brochures can be provided in alternative formats on request. For further information or assistance, contact the Box Office on 01235 515144.