Whether you’re searching for the perfect artisan bread or a sweet patisserie treat, you’ll be spoiled for choice at one of Gloucestershire’s best independent bakeries.
SoGlos has risen to the challenge of choosing a baker's dozen of our favourites spread across the county, so you can support local while picking up your sweet treats and freshly baked loaves.
Hetty's Kitchen in Gloucester
Gloucestershire's favourite brownie baker, Hetty's Kitchen bakes all of its 'fudging delicious' brownies at its bakery and cafe on Morelands Trading Estate in Gloucester — with its own store now located at Gloucester Food Dock.
For the purists, the classic fudge brownie is always a winner, but with flavours like cookie dough, marbled cheesecake, chocolate orange, speculoos and sea salted caramel on offer, not to mention seasonal specials like ice-cream inspired brownies in summer, Halloween brownies in autumn and even brownie Scotch eggs at Easter, it'll be hard to resist trying one of each.
The Artisan Baker in Stroud and Cheltenham
SGGLA Food and Drink Producer of the Year 2024, The Artisan Baker at Stroud's Five Valleys Shopping Centre and Cheltenham's Quadrangle is proudly organic and crafts its fresh bread and pastries on site every day.
Choose from an array of incredible bakes, like golden croissants; Painswick sourdough, infused with Earl Grey tea; sourdough baguettes; organic challah; topped focaccia; and a range of vegan pastries, too.
Hobbs House Bakery in Nailsworth, Chipping Sodbury and Tetbury
Founded in the 1920s, Hobbs House has two Gloucestershire bakeries in Tetbury and Nailsworth, as well as nearby Chipping Sodbury, Malmesbury and Bristol too.
Plus, it delivers its delicious bread and cakes to homes, restaurants and cafes across the UK. If you haven’t tried its famous sourdough loaves (or tried to bake your own using their 65-year-old starter) you are truly missing out.
La Boulangerie Artisan in Cheltenham
Cheltenham’s La Boulangerie Artisan has achieved cult-like status — with locals queuing in all weathers at the industrial estate in Battledown, to get their hands on its range of sensational sourdough loaves, baguettes and ridiculously good croissants (especially the almond ones), all freshly-made each day with the best ingredients from France, using a traditional long fermentation process. Vive la slow food revolution!
The Forest Bakehouse in Longhope
Nestled in the village of Longhope, The Forest Bakehouse is a small community cooperative bakery, which makes fantastic long-fermentation breads and pastries using local, organic flour.
Its selection of sourdough breads and croissants look exquisite, too.
Lavender Bakehouse in Stroud
Stroud’s Lavender Bakehouse lovingly bakes all of its cakes and pastries on the premises, with the option to order and enjoy at home or in the coffee shop — which serves up breakfast, lunch and afternoon high tea, too.
Its signature orange and lavender cake is a must try!
Bakery on the Water in Bourton-on-the-Water
Family-run Bakery on the Water is situated in the pretty Cotswold village of Bourton-on-the-Water, baking artisan breads using traditional methods, for a delicious flavour and proper crunchy crust.
It serves up breakfast pastries, brunch, delicious sandwiches and scones in the cafe, as well as homemade picnics to take away.
The Crusty Loaf in the Forest of Dean
Foresters across the land flock to The Crusty Loaf each lunch time for its delicious selection of baked treats.
Proud winner of Britain's Best White Loaf in 2018, the bakery has branches in Cinderford and Newent, stocking everything from juicy sausage rolls to banging baps and baguettes — be sure to give one of its experiments a go, too, including the sourdough kimchi focaccia!
Knead in Cirencester
Cirencester’s Knead opened in December 2020, offering a wide variety of treats from its bakery on Black Jack Street — now it has locations in Tetbury and Elkstone, too.
Its menu includes breads like toasted spelt loaf, confit garlic and red onion focaccia and Dutch crunch; cakes including chocolate and coffee loaf, blackcurrant and star anise teacakes, and blueberry custard brioche; as well as cookies, croissants and doughnuts.
Brew and Bake in Cheltenham
Brew and Bake on Bath Road in Cheltenham is a coffee shop and bakery famous for its cakes.
It offers a staple menu for breakfast and brunch, with the bakery selection changing on a daily basis. Recent offerings include Chinese hoi sin rolls, Creme Egg brownies, Biscoff brondies and gingerbread millionaire’s shortbread.
St George's Bakery in Cheltenham
From classics like buttery, custard-filled pastel de nata; olive and rosemary sourdough; and slow-fermented challah buns, to more creative bakes like date jam, rose and pistachio Chelsea buns; piña colada croissants; chocolate orange and sour cherry babka, St George's Bakery makes something to suit even the most adventurous palettes — with its spectacular creations available at Baker and Graze in Cheltenham and Penny Blacks Bakery in Prestbury.
Salt Bakehouse in Stroud
Stroud artisan bakery, Salt Bakehouse, is famous for its delicious bread, baking everything from classic sourdoughs, baguettes and ancient grains to tasty flavours made from foraged ingredients, like wild garlic; nettle and red onion; roast potato and rosemary; and walnut and dark ale loaves.
It also bakes impressive pastries including classic croissants, Danishes, claws and scruffins — with products available from its kiosk in Stroud and it's ever-travelling bakehouse van.
Cotswold Vegan Bakery in Cheltenham
Offering a wide selection of plant-based cakes and bakes, Cotswold Vegan Bakery hit Cheltenham in January 2024 with its wide array of bespoke cakes, made to order.
Pop in-store for one of its takeaway treats from Thursday to Saturday each week, such as an expertly decorated cupcake, a luxurious loaf cake or a moreish cookie.
