5 brilliant bakeries
Some of the flakiest pastries in the south-west
The professionals
Landrace Bakery
61B Walcot St, Bath, BA1 5BN
Open: Tue-Fri 8.30 - 3.30 / Sat-Sun 9 - 3
Hot-from-the-oven bakes (recognised by Michelin for their tastiness), and laid-back Roundhill coffee. The ever-changing menu at Landrace sports the likes of roast apricot and thyme-infused cream buns, and their infamous cardamom and cinnamon buns – all made using heritage Somerset wheat grown and milled at Landrace Milling.
Nearby: Rummage the vintage clothes at The Yellow Shop, peruse the eclectic homeware at Rossiters of Bath and stock up on handprinted stationery from Meticulous Ink.
Words: Vishaka Robinson
Photography: David Watts
Coffee & donuts
Heartbreak Hotel Coffee
Unit 4, West Cross, 4 Caen St, Braunton EX33 1AQ
Open: Daily 8-2
What started as a coffee spot in a converted horse box in Woolacombe is now a bricks and mortar café in Braunton, serving up unbelievably tasty pastries. The delicious bakes are made using ethical ingredients: flour from Wildfarmed regenerative farming, local free-range eggs and Pump Street chocolate, who support cocoa farmers.
Nearby: You’re moments away from the the Museum Of British Surfing. Gnarly.
The red & blue one
Leola
6 High St, Stroud GL5 1AU
Open: Tues to Sat 8-4
You can’t miss Stroud’s new neighbourhood bakery on the High Street. A beacon in blue and red, it beckons in weary shoppers in for freshly baked cardamom and cinnamon buns. The colourful design was by Dapple Studio, who have brought to life owners Andy Strang and Ruth Batham’s vision for a welcoming community hub. Fun fact: The name Leola is a combination of the owners’ daughters’ names.
Nearby: You’re on Stroud High Street, head to new haberdashery, The Fold on George Street.
The micro bakery
Pipit
Silver Street, Bradford on Avon, BA15 1JX
Open: Tues - Sat 8-3
Named after the small, brown songbird – Pipit opened to local fanfare in March 2024. Go here to stock up on full-flavoured country sourdoughs and deeply dark ryes. More specifically though, it’s about the buns. A double espresso is really the coffee hit you need in the morning, but rather than a liquid concoction this is a fluffy mound of coffee cream in and amid folds of buttery sweet dough.
Nearby: This cute river-hugging town is dotted with appealing places to discover (see Little Rituals coffee and Little Barn café), so get exploring.
Words: Katharine Sohn
Photography: Ed Schofield
The one in a van
Hilda
St John’s Court, Whiteladies Rd, Bristol BS8 2QY.
Open: Whiteladies Rd: Wed-Fri 8-12, Clouds (St Werbergs): Sat 9-12
Named after owner Will Prosser’s grandmother, Hilda is a charming breakfast-on-wheels, currently popping up at everyone’s favourite Bristol restaurant Cor, in Southville. Go here for proper coffee and magnificent pastries. Will, who previously baked for The Little Shop and Pantry in Westbury Park, makes the staples – croissants, pain au chocolat and cinnamon buns, but also specials including a sensational apricot Danish with whipped Greek yoghurt and thyme.
Nearby: Walk up the hill to The Downs for a post-pastry stomp.
@hilda.bakery