The Best Bakeries to Visit in Real Bread Week
Bluebird Bakery
Malton YO17 7FT York YO1 7LY
Leeds LS2 7HY 01904 627706
www.bluebirdbakery.co.uk
There’s something for every loaf-lover here, from seven-seeder sourdough to Parisian baguettes. As expected, they’re proud Real Bread Week campaigners, dedicated to bringing artisan bread back to the UK consumer.
Bread and Roses
Alnwick NE66 4HL 01665 578125
www.breadandroses.co.uk
Of all the breads here, you must try their rye sourdough loaves including the Borodinsky, the molasses and coriander-flavoured ‘Prince of Breads’. Local stockists include The Jolly Fisherman in Craster and The Ship Inn at Low Newton, and you’ll also find them at Hexham farmers’ market.
The Bread Shed
Beverley HU17 8BH 07769 785580
www.breadshed.co.uk
No two days are the same at the Bread Shed, as they bake different loaves from Tuesday to Saturday. Find them on Twitter to see what’s on the menu before you head down – they do everything from Chelsea buns, to walnut loaves and a herby, cheesy garlic bread.
Geordie Bakers
Newcastle NE3 2EF 0191 286 9375
www.geordiebakers.co.uk
We’d be surprised if you haven’t already come across this family-run business, as they supply their artisan bread to loads of delis and restaurants around the North East. You can also catch them at Living North LIVE at Newcastle Racecourse, 11–13 May.
The Great Northumberland Bread Company
Cornhill-on-Tweed TD12 4TP 01890 820562
www.greatnorthumberlandbread.co.uk
For over 10 years, The Great Northumberland Bread Company has been baking artisan breads, sourdoughs and brioche in their unique wood-fired oven. You won't find any artificial additives, flavours or preservatives here.
Haxby Bakehouse
Haxby YO32 3SA 01904 765878
www.haxbybakehouse.co.uk
These artisan bakers caused a bit of a stir last summer when they became possibly the first bakers to use their loaves as political billboards. Find them at farm shops and markets every week, and monthly at York Farmers Market in St Samson’s Square, where they dish out sourdoughs, slow-fermented yeasted breads and patisserie for the many, not the few.
Lovebread
Brighouse HD6 1DA 07842 073888
www.lovebread.org.uk
This community-supported bakery in Brighouse is open from Monday to Saturday morning, baking breads with organic ingredients and traditional methods. They also run a Saturday morning pay-as-you-can café onsite with volunteers. Here you can pick from products such as orange and cranberry loaf, chilli, cheese and onion rolls and rosemary and sea-salt focaccia.
Manna Bakery
Harrogate HG2 0NA 01423 313720
www.mannabakeryharrogate.com
Naming your bakery after bread which literally came from heaven does rather invite pressure, but this lot are very good nonetheless. Their plain white loaf is delicious dunked in their daily soup.
Mary Lambert Bakery and Café
Hartlepool TS26 9DD 01429 279077
www.mary-lambert.co.uk
With more than half a century of artisan baking experience, this café continues to serve up top-notch treats, which are also available from their online shop. Start with their artisan bread sampler basket, which gets you two classic sourdoughs, two chia loaves and six chia rolls for a tenner.
Pink Lane Bakery
Newcastle NE1 5DY 0191 261 0606
www.facebook.com/pinklbakery
This small independent bakery in the centre of Newcastle, formerly known as Sugar Down Bakery, makes delightful sourdough bread, including the recently launched Tyne Bridge sourdough. We’d also strongly recommend their croissants.
Roger’s Bakery
Marsden HD7 6AB 01484 842141
www.rogersbakery.com
Over a thousand loaves are produced weekly at this micro-bakery. Roger adds more to the mix to create an array of continental bakes, including brioche and Italian focaccia topped with olives and sun-dried tomatoes. Find them at restaurants, cafés and pubs around Marsden, Slaithwaite and Huddersfield, or get them delivered directly to your door.
Seven Hills Bakery
Sheffield S11 8ZP 0114 267 0133
www.sevenhillsbakery.co.uk
Seven Hills is a bakery, greengrocers and café all-in-one. Long-fermented artisan bread is the speciality here, and you can grab a slice of their sourdough pizza on Fridays and Saturdays.
