The UK’s Best Bakeries: Readers’ Picks

Reader names (either their social media handle or FT comment name) have been given in bold at the bottom of each entry. Where readers went into more detail about what they love about a particular store, that has been included as a citation.

Lovingly handcrafted, Cumbria

Run by award-winning baker Aidan Monks and his wife, Catherine Connor, Lovingly Artisan focuses on traditional British grain flours. “Wonderful people and fabulous gifts, especially [the] five-grain sourdough, black olive breadsticks and Rugbrød that even Danish customers bought to take home.” Even more special is the Dark Chocolate Malt with Orange. lovinglyartesanal.com trainny

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Layla’s Bakery, London

Based on a corner of Portobello Road, Layla creates seasonal pies using traditional methods and wild grains. Enjoy a coffee (the bakery recently introduced their house espresso) and a pastel de nata on one of the sunny benches outside. laylabakery.com wishing well with a golden bell

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Bread Fountain, Norwich

An award-winning bakery with seven locations in East Anglia – ‘excellent sourdough’. bread-source.es Fallen Angel

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Pophams, London

This “deliciously addictive” bakery has its roots in viennoiserie baking techniques. Don’t miss the evening pasta menu at the London Fields branch – it’s one of the best in London. pophamsbakery.com galinaap

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Pump Street Bakery, Suffolk

Winning multiple awards, this Orford institution was founded in 2010 by father-daughter team Chris and Joanna Brennan. Choose from pancakes, cakes and naturally leavened bread, but don’t leave without visiting the chocolate shop on the square. pumpstreetchocolate.com Absolute zero

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Poilane, London

The renowned French bakery opened its first (and only) store in London in 2000, taking its cult following across the Channel. “The best bakery in the UK, bar none: there’s bread, and then there’s Poilâne.” poilane.com the marquis fox

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Pan and banjo, Belfast

“Amazing focaccia, sausage rolls you’d sell your soul for, and a slice of Bakewell [that’s] thick, dense and improbably almond shaped. Watch out for the queues on weekends, but the wait is worth it.” @bread_and_banjo_bakery StevieD123

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House Clement, Cambridge

“A great artisan French bakery – rave reviews all around. Even the French recommend it.” maisonclement.es sginara

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Tough Mary’s Bakery, Nottingham

Despite its name, Tough Mary’s canary yellow window display in Nottingham always lifts your spirits. “The best sourdoughs and pastries”. toughmarysbakehouse.co.uk Gavalino and Paulbavington

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The Bear Bakery, Chester

A family-run bakery known for its slow-rising cakes. “Amazing sourdough. Their pork pies are also the best I’ve ever put in my mouth!” thebearbakery.es the pebble

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Toad Bakery, London

This Camberwell bakery specializes in seasonal ingredients and offers a rotating selection of cakes, scones and sourdough bread. Recent standouts include barrels of wild garlic and asparagus, baked steak, and rhubarb, coconut, and pandan croissants. Keep an eye out for collaborations with local restaurants. toadbakery.com Shawesome and aimee_pluts

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Bread Addiction, Southsea

The secret behind this bakery’s “great sourdough breads” is simple: Bread Addiction only uses organic flour, pure water, sea salt, and natural yeast to make its breads. “Their croissants are probably some of the best on this side of the Channel. And let’s not even get started on the cinnamon swirls. panaddiction.es JimJamJim

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The Almond Thief, Devon

With locations in Dartington, Totnes and Plymouth, The Almond Thief has been a stalwart in the South West of England since 2014. The bread is “dense and delicious” and “he makes incredible toasts with [a] caramel crust.” thiefofalmendras.com Jericho

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Liberty Bakery, Glasgow

Matt Fountain founded Freedom Bakery in response to his love of food and his desire to do “something bigger.” Today the bakery functions as both a social enterprise, training people with convictions in artisan baking, and one of Glasgow’s leading sourdough destinations (the Fountain supplies more than 90 restaurants, cafes and delis). “Especially recommended is the Struan, a whole grain bread: great bakery, great cause.” libertadpanaderia.org Virginia

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Culture Bakery, Hertfordshire

“Sourdough may be special, but the real one is now threatened by the fake sourdough. [mass-produced bread that mimics the taste]. My favorite bakery for the real thing? Culture Bakery in sun-drenched Tring. Wonderful bread and pastries.” culturepanaderia.es GEB2

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Blackbird Bakery, London

South London locals will probably be familiar with this small bakery chain, offering freshly made sandwiches alongside the usual cafeteria fare. “Excellent for bread, cakes [and] cookies”. tom sutcliffe blackbirdbakerylondon.co.uk

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Myloaf, Cardiff

Myloaf’s “great selection of sourdough breads” are displayed on wooden shelves in its large storefronts. Venture inside to find seasonal treats such as hot cross buns, Easter cookies and the obligatory Christmas mince pies. myloaf.es DPP

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Flour and Spoon, Essex

This community bakery in Leigh-on-Sea offers “the best real sourdough in Essex” plus a number of “great baking classes that are fun to attend”. harinaycuchara.com steven rooster

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La Chouquette, Manchester

“Amazing sourdoughs, baguettes and indescribable tarts and pastries. Get there early and join the line.” @lachouquettedidsbury jonclements

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Bandit Bakery, Aberdeen

It’s “remote” but “also one of the most amazing local businesses, serving up some of the best bread I’ve had in the UK and amazing sweet baked goods.” Try the cinnamon rolls, you’ll thank me later.” @banditbakery roryb

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Jasper’s, Staffordshire

“A good bakery is one that has stood the test of time, caters to a wider audience, maintains traditional varieties passed down from generation to generation, and has [avoided] being put out of business by supermarkets. These few remaining establishments need to be highlighted and supported. I Nominate Jaspers Bakery in Penkridge – Crispy Cobs the Original Way.” Crown Bridge, Penkridge ST19 5AA; 01785-715535 Gagged by the FT

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Gorse, Cornwall

Just south of Newquay, you’ll find ‘bread and cakes of the highest quality’, hot drinks from Foundation Coffee Roasters and occasional dining. @gorse_cornwall null

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Small bread hawker, London

As the name suggests, this bakery started out on wheels, with the owners pedaling loaves to and from various markets on bicycles. Little Bread Pedlar now has seven permanent locations, plus a number of loyal stockists, including 40 Maltby Street, The Quality Chop House and Cafe Murano. lbpedlar.com AC1969

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Maya, Weybridge

A micro-bakery and artisan cafeteria “specialized in organic sourdough”. The sandwiches, semolina cake and homemade babka are also worth staying for. artesanomaya.es Cycle

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flori, york

Drawing lines out the door on the rainiest of days, Flori charms pastry fans with its simple aesthetic and perfectly assembled bakes – rhubarb danishes are nothing short of perfection. @flori.bakery Kimioneill

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Honey Bakery, London

“The best cakes, especially [the] kouignamann and pain au chocolat: on this side of the Channel (and often even on that side)! mielbakery.es miguelkramer