Who doesn’t love bread? Alice Cairns chooses the very best local bakeries
Bread, they say, is the staff of life. It’s delicious, it’s versatile and it’s wholesome. Sometimes a supermarket sliced loaf does the job nicely. But there are times when only the best will do – when we crave a cottage loaf with a crunchy crust and a cloudily soft interior, or long to spread honey on a slab of dense, nutty rye bread. Luckily we’re spoilt for choice in the Royal Borough…
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Heidia Bakery
This bakery and café is tucked away inside Daniel department store. The buttery, flaky croissants are to die for – if you’re lucky enough, you might arrive just when they’re being pulled, still warm, from the oven. There are also mounds of cakes, meringues, quiches and salads. Everything is made entirely from scratch in open kitchens, so you can watch the bakers at work.
When it comes to bread, the bakery is known for its gorgeous French staples – the white baguette is a family favourite. The menu is constantly changing, so expect seasonal specials...
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Bakedd
Bakedd is relatively new (it opened in Maidenhead in September 2017), but it’s already a firm local favourite for its friendly service and delicious, artisanal products. The bakery has Mediterranean roots, so expect rich Turkish coffees, crisp borek and fresh Turkish flatbreads. But it also sells a variety of breads from around the world – Bakedd’s extensive range includes sourdough, wholemeal, olive and walnut breads, bloomers and spelt loaves.
The savvy bread buyer would make a beeline for the Swiss Paillasse, a long-fermented bread with a crisp crust and a soft, honeycombed crumb. Bakedd is the first and only bakery in the UK to serve this traditional loaf, so stock up for a rare treat.
While you’re on the premises, grab one of Bakedd’s freshly made soups into which you can dip hunks of its bread, or enjoy a tasty vegan croissant topped with a sprinkling of crunchy quinoa seeds. It also boasts the best coffee in town!
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McCarthy's Country Store
Windsor Yards , Windsor, SL4 1TH
McCarthy’s Country Store
McCarthy’s market stall comes to Windsor every Friday and Saturday, selling freshly baked bread packed with quirky flavours: think loaves studded with fresh garlic, or slabs of soft white bread filled with roasted potatoes, rosemary and nigella seeds. The stall draws inspiration from all kinds of baking traditions, offering everything from a Bavarian rye to an organic Irish soda bread. It also sell pies, cakes and samosas.
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The German Bakery
The German Bakery prides itself on serving up ‘German engineering you can actually taste’. Clearly it’s onto a winner, as its bread is in international demand. It delivers all over the UK and ships its products as far away as India.
It’s easy to see why its bread is so popular. Pretzels, rolls and loaves are made from scratch and by hand, using traditional German methods. At the helm is Stefan Hamann, who is descended from a long line of master bakers and has six years of training and over 40 years of experience to his name.
Expect challenging, complex flavours: your loaf might come sprinkled with pumpkin seeds or fragrant with aromatic caraway. Whichever bread you choose, however, rest assured that it won’t contain frozen or pre-mixed flour, chemicals, additives or preservatives.
Need further persuasion? The bakery was awarded the TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence (2016), named Best Bakery in Berkshire (2016) and is an official supplier to the German Embassy!
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The Windsor Farm Shop
By now you’ve probably accumulated masses of bread – but what should you do with it? Try popping down to the Royal Farms Windsor Farm Shop and filling your basket with locally produced jams to spread on a slice of hot buttered toast. The shop sells a whole range of quirky curds in flavours like Banoffee and Bucks Fizz, as well as the more conventional ginger and lemon. You could also try one of its multi floral honeys, produced by bees living in the gardens of Royal Lodge and drawing nectar from rare flowers and specimen trees.
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