Herts &amp; Beds


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-flour-twenty-one-hitchin"><a href="https://www.flour21microbakery.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Flour Twenty-One</a>, Hitchin</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/09/Flour21-1000x1000.jpg" alt="Flour 21 cake" class="wp-image-92288" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/09/Flour21-1000x1000.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/09/Flour21-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/09/Flour21-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/09/Flour21-500x500.jpg 500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/09/Flour21-1100x1100.jpg 1100w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/09/Flour21.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Make your life a whole lot sweeter with a bake from Flour21. This Little Wymondley micro-bakery, run by personal chef and baker Simone Zambiasi, is a hidden gem. From melt-in-your-mouth cinnamon buns and buttery blueberry almond croissants to pistachio knots and other irresistible treats, each bake is crafted with his signature Italian skill and flair. Find Simone’s fresh bakes at Hitchin Market every Friday and Saturday. Can’t wait until the weekend? His sweet creations are also served daily at Hermitage Rd Coffee Shop, Hitchin.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-flourish-craft-bakery-watford"><a href="https://www.flourishbakery.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Flourish Craft Bakery</a>, Watford</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/09/Flourish-1000x1000.jpg" alt="sourdough bread" class="wp-image-92291" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/09/Flourish-1000x1000.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/09/Flourish-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/09/Flourish-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/09/Flourish-500x500.jpg 500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/09/Flourish-1100x1100.jpg 1100w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/09/Flourish.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Hidden away in an unassuming industrial estate in Watford you&#8217;ll find the fabulous Flourish. Known as a wholesale bakery it also has a superb bread counter plus café and pizzeria (The Loading Bay) serving breakfast, brunch, lunch and takeaways. Want something utterly delicious? Try their sourdough. It&#8217;s just been crowned Gold Winner at Britain’s Best Loaf 2025. Now you know!</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://www.fancybakery.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Fancy Bakery</a>, Bedford </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/09/Bedfordbakery-1000x667.jpg" alt="Fancy Bakery Cake" class="wp-image-92300" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/09/Bedfordbakery-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/09/Bedfordbakery-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/09/Bedfordbakery.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Founder Saffron started up the biz from her home kitchen back in 2002, following 14 years working as a food scientist. Soon she started supplying her bakes to local restaurants and cafés before selling to the public from a window hatch. Now you&#8217;ll find the bakery and café in the Old Saddlery in Black Tom where you can enjoy a light lunch, seasonal bakes, scones, tarts and puds that are too good to share. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-redbournbury-watermill-and-bakery-st-albans"><a href="https://www.redbournburymill.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Redbournbury Watermill and Bakery</a>, St Albans</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/09/Redbourneburymill-1000x667.jpg" alt="Redbournbury Mill" class="wp-image-92294" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/09/Redbourneburymill-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/09/Redbourneburymill-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/09/Redbourneburymill.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Enjoy a slice of history with your freshly baked bun or baguette at Redbournbury Watermill and Bakery. Dating back to the 16th century, this working watermill still produces a range of stoneground organic flours, which are then transformed into utterly delicious breads in the bakery. Visit the bakery stall every Saturday morning from 9am–1pm, or take things a step further and join 8th-generation baker Steven Mansbridge for a full-day baking lesson that will put you through your paces. On your marks, get set… bake!</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://cinnamonsquare.com">Cinnamon Square</a>, Rickmansworth</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/Cinnamon-square-ricky-sticky-bun-1000x1000.jpg" alt="Cinnamon Square Ricky Sticky Bun" class="wp-image-86124" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/Cinnamon-square-ricky-sticky-bun-1000x1000.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/Cinnamon-square-ricky-sticky-bun-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/Cinnamon-square-ricky-sticky-bun-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/Cinnamon-square-ricky-sticky-bun-500x500.jpg 500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/Cinnamon-square-ricky-sticky-bun-1100x1100.jpg 1100w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/Cinnamon-square-ricky-sticky-bun.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>If you&#8217;re partial to a cinnamon bun make tracks to this multi award-winning artisanal bakery for a cinnamon square bun or the locals&#8217; fave &#8211; the Ricky sticky bun. From buns to bloomers and brownies to bakes, you can pick up your order in store or have it delivered to your door. This family-run biz is led by Founder and Master Baker, Paul Barker, who has taught his craft to thousands of budding bakers. And don&#8217;t miss <a href="https://cinnamonsquare.com/the-bread-shed/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Bread Shed</a> &#8211; three actual sheds, stocked with freshly baked loaves to purchase by cash or QR code from 9.30am every Saturday. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://daysbakery.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Days Bakery</a>, various Herts locations</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/09/DAYS-1000x667.jpg" alt="strawberry tartlet" class="wp-image-92295" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/09/DAYS-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/09/DAYS-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/09/DAYS.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Originating in Ashwell (where the baking still happens today), and dating back to 1741 you might say this is one of the most authentic and oldest bakeries in the county! Now with bakeries or food halls in 11 locations &#8211; most in Herts plus Cambs and Essex too &#8211; you&#8217;ll find artisan baguettes, gourmet sandwiches, pastries and tarts, cakes and doughnuts in store. Perfect for that sweet pick-me-up you didn’t know you needed.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-proto-artisan-bakery-ware-amp-st-albans"><a href="https://protoartisanbakery.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Proto Artisan Bakery</a>, Ware &amp; St Albans</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/09/Proartisan3-1000x1000.jpg" alt="PROTO ARTISAN CAKES" class="wp-image-92297" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/09/Proartisan3-1000x1000.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/09/Proartisan3-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/09/Proartisan3-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/09/Proartisan3-500x500.jpg 500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/09/Proartisan3-1100x1100.jpg 1100w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/09/Proartisan3.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Husband and wife team, James and Jo-Anne, started making sourdough when Jo-Anne realised she had a gluten intolerance and heard that sourdough could be a good alternative, being easier to digest, more nutritious than shop-bought alternatives and gut friendly too. Now with two stores, you&#8217;ll find plenty of sourdough, plus foccacia, croissants, doughnuts, sandwiches and other sweet treats all freshly baked and ready to delight. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-hertford-cake-co-hertford-and-buntingford"><a href="https://www.hertfordcakeco.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Hertford Cake Co</a>, Hertford and Buntingford</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/09/Hertfordcake-1000x1000.jpg" alt="Hertford Cake shop" class="wp-image-92301" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/09/Hertfordcake-1000x1000.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/09/Hertfordcake-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/09/Hertfordcake-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/09/Hertfordcake-500x500.jpg 500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/09/Hertfordcake-1100x1100.jpg 1100w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/09/Hertfordcake.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>From a kitchen table business baking birthday cakes and selling at local markets, The Hertford Cake Co opened its first bricks and mortar store in 2019. Everything is baked fresh at the Bakery HQ in Buntingford, the coffee they serve is produced in Herts and the Jersey cow&#8217;s milk ice cream is made just two miles from the Hertford Store. From celebration cakes and brownie stacks to personalised cupcakes and cookie pies, you&#8217;ll find all your sugar cravings catered for here. Pop in to the Hertford store for a coffee and baked goodies or keep an eye on socials for the cake counter opening times in Buntingford.</p>



<p><strong>IN THE MOOD FOR MORE?</strong></p>



<ul>
<li><a href="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/podcasts/best-foodie-podcasts/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ear candy: 9 foodie podcasts to feast on (without lifting a fork)</a></li>



<li><a href="https://herts.muddystilettos.co.uk/afternoon-tea/clink-the-best-afternoon-teas-in-herts-and-beds/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Clink! The best afternoon teas in Herts, Beds and beyond</a></li>



<li><a href="https://herts.muddystilettos.co.uk/eat-out/review-ember-hertford/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Review: Ember, Hertford</a></li>
</ul>


8 Herts & Beds bakeries we love, in honour of GBBO

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