There’s few things in life that beat the smell and taste of freshy baked bread, out of the oven that day. Even better if you catch it when it’s been out for literally minutes and it’s still warm… I’m getting hungry just thinking about it!

That being said, we have some amazing bakeries and patisseries around the Northern counties, each bringing their own style, recipes, and flair to baking. Here are just three of some of the great bakeries to be found in our neck of the woods…

Lovingly Artisan, Kendal

Lakeland Food Park
Crook Rd
Kendal
LA8 8QJ

I love Lovingly Artisan bread. Mum and I went up to Kendal a few weeks before Christmas and bought a selection of their bread (and a couple of pastries!), and it was extra specially yummy! One of my particular favourites was the Danish Rye Bread they had on offer – it was very dense, but delicious and filling. It was especially nice with soft cheese (try a local cheese like Ribblesdale Goat’s Cheese) and then a little bit of salmon on top. I had that one or two nights, with a salad, and it made for a light but filling tea.

Lovingly Artisan also have a very environment and farmer conscious way of making their bread, which I touched upon in my introductory article about them. I understand that they’re also undergoing a full renovation of their shop in early 2026, so I’m excited to see what the New Year brings for this wonderful bakery!

Grant’s Bakery and Patisserie, Corbridge

1 Market Place
Corbridge
NE45 5AW

Always a haunt of mine when I go to Corbridge, Grant’s Patisserie really makes me embody the epithet “like a kid in a cake shop” – their display of cakes and goodies certainly makes my eyes bigger than my stomach, as I wonder just how many of these delicious treats I can try in a short space of time. I’m going back up to that part of the world at the end of January, and will definitely be making a stop at Grant’s… lucky me!

I also really like their savoury options, as well as the cakes and buns that are available. Last time I was in for breakfast, I had a Croque Monsieur which was delicious – there was a small amount of mustard added into the bechamel sauce which gave it a little spicy kick. I also would recommend their savoury pasties which are a great buy for dinner.

Hazelmere Bakery, Grange-Over-Sands

Hazelmere Cafe & Bakery
1-2 Yewbarrow Terrace
Grange-Over-Sands
Cumbria, England
LA11 6ED

I’ve been going to Hazelmere Bakery for years, as a special stop off on my way to Holker Hall. My nana especially used to love the cream teas at the café attached to the bakery, so I went here before I even moved to the locality. Personally, I tend to go to The Hazelmere (the café part) for breakfast, rather than afternoon tea, which is equally tasty and really hits the spot. The café is also dog friendly, so it wins extra brownie points in my book for that.

As for the bakery, they make twenty varieties of bread, and over thirty varieties of cakes, in house each day, whilst sourcing ingredients – where possible – from local suppliers. Whenever we head that way for breakfast, we make sure to stock up on fresh baked goods and other homemade items (they also produce jams, conserves, sauces, and teas), to have later at home.

“Here at The Hazelmere we know how important it is to keep things local.”

I love small local bakeries and food suppliers, and want to support as many as I can in 2026, rather than offering my hard-earned money to faceless food conglomerates who don’t care about food miles or local production. I think bringing our food production back (some of it at least!) to these wonderful hard-working establishments is so important, and our high-streets and towns are so much the better for them.

Which other bakeries should I explore in the North in 2026? Are there any really new ones (2023 or younger) that I need to find and shout about? Let me know, either in the comments, on social media (@thenorthishlass on instagram and TikTok), or by sending me an email to bryony@thenorthishlass.co.uk!