From beautifully crafted loaves to sensational pastries, there’s a wide array of independent bakeries that stand out for their commitment to traditional techniques and top-quality ingredients. But the joy of British baking doesn’t stop at London – venture a little further afield and you'll discover an embarrassment of riches when it comes to indie bakeries, sweetly scattered from Scotland to the south coast.
Here, we explore the best independent bakeries in London, and highlight our top out-of-town gems.
The Best Independent Bakeries in London
Bread Ahead, Borough Market
Bread Ahead has become synonymous with London's doughnut craze – but pay a visit and you’ll soon discover it’s much more than that. Based in the always-vibrant Borough Market, it’s an independent bakery known for its excellent sourdough, focaccia, and indulgent sweet treats. Even better, beyond selling bread and pastries, Bread Ahead runs a bakery school, where you can learn the secrets behind their perfect loaves and iconic custard-filled doughnuts, thus enabling you to recreate the magic at home. Expect traditional techniques and innovative flavours, a pairing that has cemented their status as a must-visit for locals and tourists alike.
Must Try: Vanilla Custard Doughnut, Focaccia with Sea Salt
Pophams Bakery, Islington
Pophams Bakery, right in the heart of Islington, has garnered recognition for its creative take on classic Viennoiserie. This independent bakery has a real knack for pairing bold, sometimes surprising flavours in its pastries, such as the much-loved maple and bacon croissant. While their pastries are what draw their soon-devoted customers in, their range of breads, such as the rosemary and sea salt loaf, are just as hard to resist. The space itself has a warm, minimalist charm, making it an inviting spot to savour your pastry with a coffee.
Must Try: Maple & Bacon Croissant, Rosemary & Sea Salt Loaf
E5 Bakehouse, Hackney
For those seeking sustainability along with their slice of mouth-watering bread, E5 Bakehouse is the go-to. Tucked under a railway arch in Hackney, this independent bakery is committed to using organic and locally sourced grains. Their artisanal breads, particularly the Hackney Wild sourdough, are the product of slow fermentation techniques that result in rich, complex flavors. E5 Bakehouse is also known for its commitment to sustainability, milling their own flour on-site, which ensures high-quality grains are used in every loaf.
Must Try: Hackney Wild Sourdough, Rye & Caraway Loaf
The Dusty Knuckle, Dalston
Located in a converted shipping container in Dalston, The Dusty Knuckle is one of London's most beloved independent bakeries. Known for its superb sourdough and commitment to community outreach, it has deservedly developed a cult following. The bread is baked daily using simple, high-quality ingredients, and the pastries – including buttery croissants and rich brownies – are made fresh on-site. The Dusty Knuckle also runs a café where you can sit and enjoy one of their delicious sandwiches, made with their own freshly baked bread.
Must Try: Sourdough Loaf, Almond Croissant
Jolene Bakery, Newington Green
Jolene is another addition to the growing wave of sustainable, grain-focused independent bakeries scattered across London. Located in Newington Green, Jolene works closely with local farmers and mills its flour in-house. With a daily changing menu, Jolene offers fresh loaves, pastries, and seasonal specials like fruit tarts or simple cakes. Its beautifully crusted loaves, baked in an open kitchen, are as visually enticing as they are delicious. Everything about Jolene is centred around simplicity and quality, making it a great place for those who appreciate the true craft of baking.
Must Try: Pain au Levain, Kouign-Amann
The Best Out-of-Town Independent Bakeries
Beyond London, the UK has a wealth of small, independent bakeries, many of which focus on artisanal breadmaking and high-quality pastries. Here are five of the best, where traditional baking methods and fresh local ingredients take centre stage.
Aran Bakery, Dunkeld, Scotland
In the idyllic setting of Dunkeld, Scotland, Aran Bakery offers a slice of rustic, small-town charm. Owned by Flora Shedden, a former Great British Bake Off contestant, Aran Bakery focuses on producing artisanal loaves, pastries, and cakes using locally sourced ingredients. The menu changes with the seasons, but you’ll always find something delightful to take away, from beautifully crusty sourdough to delicate fruit tarts. Simple, cosy and atmospheric, it’s the perfect pitstop after exploring the nearby Highlands.
Must Try: Rosemary Focaccia, Raspberry & Almond Tart
The Flint Owl Bakery, Lewes, East Sussex
A cornerstone of the vibrant town of Lewes, The Flint Owl Bakery is a must-visit for those in search of expertly crafted sourdough and pastries. Known for its organic, hand-crafted breads, this independent bakery emphasises the use of high-quality ingredients and slow fermentation techniques. Their range of breads includes everything from classic sourdough to flavourful specialty loaves, such as olive and thyme – it’s no wonder, then, that so many restaurants and cafes across Sussex have bread supplied daily from The Flint Owl Bakery. It also offers a lovely café space where you can enjoy your pastry with a coffee while soaking up the small-town charm of Lewes.
Must Try: Olive & Thyme Sourdough, Almond & Raspberry Cake
Hamblin Bread, Oxford
Hamblin Bread in Oxford is a small, independent bakery that focuses on slow-fermented, wood-fired breads. Priding itself on keeping things simple, it uses just flour, water, and salt in its signature sourdough loaves. The bakery’s minimalist approach extends beyond the menu to its design, making it a blissfully serene spot to savour high-quality baked goods. The cinnamon buns, flaky pastries, and perfectly crusty loaves are worth the visit to this charming Oxford bakery, which began in the east of the city and recently added a shop in the famous Covered Market in the centre of town.
Must Try: Signature Sourdough, Cinnamon Bun
Hart’s Bakery, Bristol
Tucked under the arches of Temple Meads station, Hart’s Bakery is a must-visit for anyone sampling the foodie scene in Bristol. Known for its superb sourdough, handmade pastries, and seasonal bakes, this independent bakery is beloved for both its traditional and innovative creations. From flaky croissants to expertly crafted loaves, it is a master of the art of combining classic techniques with fresh, local ingredients. What’s more, its open-plan bakery allows visitors to watch the magic happen, while their spacious café provides a cosy spot to demolish sweet treats with a coffee.
Must Try: Sourdough Loaf, Almond Croissant, Sausage Rolls
Pump Street Bakery, Orford, Suffolk
Pump Street Bakery in the coastal village of Orford, Suffolk, is a true gem. Known for its award-winning bread and pastries, as well as its celebrated bean-to-bar chocolate, it has garnered national recognition through specialising in slow-fermented sourdoughs, buttery pastries, and hand-crafted chocolates, all made using local and sustainably sourced ingredients. Pump Street’s bread and chocolate have gained such a following that they’re often featured in high-end restaurants across the UK. With a strong focus on traditional techniques and a commitment to quality, these are goodies worth travelling for.
Must Try: Sourdough Loaf, Eccles Cake, Single-Origin Chocolate
