If you love the smell of fresh sourdough, warm buttery croissants, or golden-baked scones with clotted cream, you’re in for a treat. From tiny hidden gems tucked away in countryside villages to iconic city bakeries that locals swear by, these are the 10 best bakeries in the UK that every bread and pastry lover must visit in 2025. Whether you’re a traveller seeking a morning bite or a foodie on a flaky croissant quest, these spots are worth the journey. I’ve personally researched and picked each one based on quality, reputation, and the kind of charm that gets people talking — and returning.
1. Pophams Bakery – London
Best For: Croissants, sourdough, and laminated pastries.
Tucked away in Islington and now with multiple London locations, Pophams Bakery is known for its creative twist on traditional viennoiserie. Think bacon and maple swirl croissants, brown butter & sage danishes, and freshly baked sourdough with an impeccable crust.
It’s the kind of place where locals queue out the door on weekends — and for good reason. The flaky layers, perfect proofing, and seasonal ingredients make Pophams a top-tier bakery experience. Pair your pastry with their in-house roasted coffee and enjoy it at a sunlit wooden table.
Pro Tip: Visit on a weekday morning to avoid the crowds and get first pick of the pastry counter.
2. Lovingly Artisan – Lake District
Best For: Artisan sourdough and heritage grains.
Based in Kendal with roots in the heart of the Lake District, Lovingly Artisan lives up to its name. This award-winning bakery specializes in slow-fermented sourdoughs made with heritage British grains, natural fermentation, and an obsessive commitment to craft.
Their red quinoa & chia sourdough and pumpkin seed loaves are hearty, flavorful, and deeply satisfying. You’ll often find bakers here offering classes on sourdough-making — a reflection of their community-first approach to baking.
Awards: Winner of UK Bakery of the Year at the Baking Industry Awards.
3. The Dusty Knuckle – London
Best For: Crusty loaves, focaccia sandwiches, and social impact.
Located in a repurposed shipping container in Dalston and now also in Harringay, The Dusty Knuckle is more than just a bakery — it’s a social enterprise with heart. They work with at-risk youth, offering mentorship and jobs in baking while producing some of the best focaccia and sourdough in the city.
Their signature potato sourdough is incredibly moist and chewy, and their filled focaccia sandwiches (especially the miso mushroom melt) draw a loyal lunch crowd daily. If you’re looking for flavor and a mission, this is it.
What to Try: Caramelized white chocolate cookies and the epic sausage rolls.
4. Baltzersen’s Bakehouse – Harrogate, North Yorkshire
Best For: Scandinavian-style bakes, cinnamon buns, and hearty rye.
Baltzersen’s Bakehouse brings the best of Nordic baking to North Yorkshire. If you’re into cinnamon buns, cardamom knots, or dense rye loaves that taste like they’ve been made in a Norwegian forest cabin — you’ll love it here.
Founded by Paul Rawlinson, this bakery focuses on slow fermentation, sustainable practices, and bakes that balance indulgence with honest ingredients. Their Skolebrød (custard-filled coconut buns) are addictive, and their rye sourdough is one of the best outside Scandinavia.
Fun Fact: The café arm of the bakery sources almost everything locally — from milk to butter to preserves
5. Sugardough – Brighton & Hove
Best For: British scones, jam tarts, and rustic breads.
Set in Brighton’s buzzing bakery scene, Sugardough is an unpretentious artisan bakery that quietly excels at British classics. Their fruit-studded scones, served with clotted cream and homemade jam, are as close to perfect as you’ll get on the south coast.
It’s also a bread-lover’s haven: malt loaves, seeded sourdough, and olive-studded focaccia fly off the shelves daily. Everything is made on-site using traditional methods and organic flour.
Must Try: The treacle tart and almond croissants. Trust me — unforgettable.
6. Hobbs House Bakery – Chipping Sodbury, Gloucestershire
Best For: Traditional British loaves and award-winning sourdough.
Hobbs House Bakery is practically legendary in the artisan baking world. Run by the fifth generation of the Herbert family, this Gloucestershire-based bakery is renowned for its organic wild yeast sourdough — a loaf that’s been fermented with a starter that’s over 60 years old.
Everything here feels handcrafted and rooted in tradition. Their gluten-free brownies, malted wheat loaves, and Brioche burger buns have won multiple Great Taste Awards. The bakery also runs regular bread-making classes and even supplies bread to restaurants around the UK.
Tip: Their Sherston loaf (a pillowy white sandwich bread) is a nostalgic British classic.
7. Yellow Door Bakery – Portadown, Northern Ireland
Best For: Irish soda breads, spelt loaves, and baked delicacies.
Based in Northern Ireland, Yellow Door Bakery has earned a solid reputation for its rustic, hearty loaves and traditional Irish baking. Their treacle wheaten bread, spelt soda farls, and Guinness and molasses loaf are beloved both locally and nationally.
Founded by chef Simon Dougan, this bakery sources ingredients from nearby farms and mills — a strong E-E-A-T signal for quality and sustainability. The bakery is part of a larger deli operation, which makes it a great stop for fresh meals too.
Local Favourite: The oat-topped soda bread served with Irish butter and homemade soup.
8. Coombeshead Farm Bakery – Lewannick, Cornwall
Best For: Farm-to-table loaves, country-style sourdough, and wood-fired baking.
Hidden in the Cornish countryside, Coombeshead Farm Bakery isn’t just a bakery — it’s an experience. Set within a working farm and guesthouse, this bakery produces naturally leavened breads using grains grown on-site or sourced locally from small producers.
Their country loaf is rustic, chewy, and perfectly blistered from their wood-fired oven. The entire experience here is slow, thoughtful, and centered around the land.
Insider Tip: Stay overnight at the farmhouse to enjoy freshly baked bread at breakfast — straight from the oven.
9. Arôme Bakery – Covent Garden, London
Best For: French-Asian fusion pastries and bold flavours.
Arôme brings a Singaporean twist to French patisserie, right in the heart of Covent Garden. Every pastry here is a visual and sensory masterpiece — from the Gula Melaka coconut morning buns to their famous honey butter toast and pandan madeleines.
This bakery blends precise French techniques with Southeast Asian flavours, and the result is jaw-dropping. Expect long lines (especially on weekends), but the food is worth every minute of the wait.
Try This: The signature Arôme Honey Butter Toast — a thick, golden-crusted square that melts in your mouth.
10. Twelve Triangles – Edinburgh, Scotland
Best For: Sourdough, doughnuts, and inventive seasonal pastries.
Twelve Triangles has become a household name in Edinburgh’s food scene, with multiple locations across the city. This bakery is obsessed with fermentation — not just in their bread, but in everything from jams to cruffins.
They use locally milled, organic flours and embrace a seasonal approach. Their custard-filled brioche doughnuts are iconic, and their spelt sourdough is tangy, crusty, and full of depth. They also serve an excellent brunch if you have time to linger.
Don’t Miss: The seasonal jam doughnuts — flavours like rhubarb and elderflower change weekly.
Wrapping Up
From Cornish farms to urban London bakeries, the UK is packed with exceptional places where bread, butter, and creativity meet. These 10 bakeries aren’t just about feeding people — they’re about telling stories through flour, fire, and time. Whether you’re planning a food trail, looking for a memorable gift, or just chasing the perfect croissant, these spots deliver.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the most famous bakery in the UK?
A: While several bakeries like Pophams and The Dusty Knuckle are beloved in London, Gail’s and Greggs are among the most nationally recognized chains. However, for artisanal quality, the smaller independents featured above offer a more authentic experience.
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Q: Where can I get the best scones in the UK?
A: Try Sugardough in Brighton or Bettys in York and Harrogate (honourable mention!) — both are known for their traditional British scones served with jam and clotted cream.
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Q: Are these bakeries vegetarian-friendly?
A: Yes. Most of them offer a variety of vegetarian pastries, breads, and sweet treats. Pophams, for instance, has a great range of veg-friendly danishes and croissants.
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I am Sabiq Rasel is an Entrepreneur and broadcaster. I believe that every sip of coffee holds the potential for a moment of inspiration, creativity, and every cup tells a story.
