1885 Burgers opens first permanent restaurant at Milton Park

Oxfordshire independent 1885 Burgers has opened its first permanent restaurant at Signal Yard, bringing breakfast, smash burgers, chicken sandos and loaded fries to Milton Park.

A local burger business that began with a food truck has opened its first permanent restaurant at Milton Park.

1885 Burgers is now serving customers at Signal Yard, the new food, retail, health and wellbeing destination at the heart of the Oxfordshire science and technology park.

The 826 sq ft restaurant offers an air-conditioned dining area as well as takeaway service, with food available from breakfast through to the evening on Fridays.

The move has also allowed the independent business to create four jobs, expand its menu and introduce seasonal specials.

From food truck to permanent restaurant

1885 Burgers was founded in 2021 by trained butcher Harry Hadland.

The business first began serving Milton Park customers from its food truck in 2025, building a following through regular appearances at the Park’s street-food events.

Its move into Signal Yard gives the business its first permanent restaurant, according to Milton Park, and provides considerably more scope than the mobile operation for breakfast, lunch and takeaway trade.

Harry said Signal Yard had felt like a natural place to grow the business.

He said: “Signal Yard felt like the perfect place to grow the business because it’s creating a real destination where people want to spend time.

“Quality has always been at the heart of what we do, from sourcing great local produce to preparing every burger with care.

“Having a permanent restaurant allows us to expand our menu, welcome more customers and continue building the reputation we’ve worked hard to establish.

“We’re excited to become a permanent member of Milton Park’s community and serve those people who work here and those from further afield.”

What is on the menu?

The restaurant serves its signature smash burgers alongside loaded fries, chicken sandwiches, listed on the menu as sandos, and a new breakfast selection.

The move into permanent premises means the team can prepare a broader range of dishes than was possible from the food truck and offer a more comfortable place for customers to sit down.

Breakfast is aimed partly at people arriving at Milton Park before work, while the later Friday closing time creates the option of an early evening meal or takeaway.

Menu section	What customers can expect
Breakfast	Morning dishes for people starting work, travelling through Milton Park or meeting before the working day.
Smash burgers	Freshly prepared beef burgers cooked by pressing the patties firmly onto the hot grill to create a browned crust.
Chicken sandos	Chicken sandwiches served as part of the expanded permanent menu.
Loaded fries	Fries served with additional toppings and sauces.
Seasonal specials	Limited dishes and changing additions planned during the year.
Takeaway	Food can be ordered to take away as well as eaten in the restaurant.

Harry’s background as a butcher remains central to the business. 1885 Burgers says its meat is butchered in-house, giving the team closer control over preparation, flavour and consistency before it reaches the grill.

The business also says it uses locally sourced ingredients and prepares its dishes fresh.

Its name refers to 1885, one of the years commonly cited in competing accounts of the emergence of the modern hamburger sandwich.

Part of Signal Yard’s growing food and retail offer

The opening is another step in the development of Signal Yard, Milton Park’s new social and retail centre.

The £14 million redevelopment of the former Park Centre has created 17 units for food, drink, health, wellbeing, retail and everyday services, alongside landscaped areas and space for community events.

1885 Burgers joins businesses including Apollo Pharmacy, Bros Barbers, Damira Dental Studios, Flex Health Hub, Milton Post Office and plant-based café Planted Plates.

Tap Social Movement’s Day Release venue, combining a café, bakery, bar, brewery and events space, is also joining the growing line-up.

Clare Fleet, asset manager for Milton Park at Federated Hermes Real Estate, said the burger restaurant reflected Signal Yard’s focus on independent local operators.

She said: “1885 Burgers is a fantastic addition to Signal Yard and reflects our ambition to create a destination, home to passionate independent retailers, that supports both our occupiers and the wider community.

“Harry’s commitment to high quality, local sourcing and outstanding customer service complements the other independent businesses already here, giving people even more reasons to visit Signal Yard and enjoy everything it has to offer.”

Why the opening matters locally

Milton Park is home to more than 280 organisations working across science, technology, healthcare, research and other industries.

That creates considerable weekday demand for breakfast, lunch, takeaway food and places where colleagues can meet away from their workplaces.

Signal Yard is also intended to serve residents from Milton, Sutton Courtenay, Didcot, Abingdon and surrounding villages, rather than operating solely as an amenity for people employed on the Park.

For 1885 Burgers, the permanent restaurant provides a base from which the business can grow while keeping the local identity it developed through its food truck.

For Milton Park, the opening adds another independent food business to a development designed to remain active beyond the traditional working lunch period.

FAQs

Where is 1885 Burgers?

The restaurant is at Unit 5Ai, Signal Yard, Park Square, Milton Park, Milton, Abingdon, OX14 4RR.

Is this 1885 Burgers’ first restaurant?

Milton Park describes Signal Yard as the business’s first permanent restaurant. It previously operated from a food truck and began serving at Milton Park in 2025.

What food does 1885 Burgers serve?

The menu includes breakfast, smash burgers, chicken sandos, loaded fries, takeaway options and seasonal specials.

Can customers eat inside?

Yes. The 826 sq ft restaurant includes an air-conditioned indoor dining area, and takeaway food is also available.

Who founded 1885 Burgers?

The business was founded in 2021 by trained butcher Harry Hadland.

What are the opening hours?

Current online listings give opening hours of 8am to 6pm Monday to Thursday and 8am to 8pm on Friday. The launch release lists Saturday opening from 10am to 4pm, but current Milton Park and 1885 listings say weekends are closed, so customers should confirm before making a special journey.

Is there parking?

Yes. Signal Yard has a dedicated car park with more than 100 spaces, as well as accessible bays and EV charging.

Can people reach Signal Yard by public transport?

Yes. Bus stops serve Signal Yard and Milton Park, with frequent connections from Didcot Parkway and services linking the Park with other local communities.

What else is open at Signal Yard?

The developing mix includes a pharmacy, Post Office, dentist, health hub, barber, plant-based café and other food and drink businesses.