Bakeries in Bedford
We list 23 bakeries in Bedford, spread across 9 areas. Each one has its own page with hours, directions and its food hygiene rating.
Explore Bedford area by area
All bakeries in Bedford 1–23 of 23
The baking story of Bedford
Bedford, on the Great Ouse, is the county town of Bedfordshire, and its most famous food is the county's own: the Bedfordshire clanger, a long suet-crust roll with a savoury filling — pork, bacon or minced meat with onion — at one end and jam or apple at the other, giving farmworkers a two-course meal in one. After the Second World War, the brickworks around Bedford recruited thousands of workers from southern Italy, and the town still has one of the largest Italian communities in Britain, with delis, cafés and bakeries to match. Bedford's riverside Embankment is perfect for a stroll, and John Bunyan, author of The Pilgrim's Progress, lived and preached in the town.
Local bakes to look out for
- Bedfordshire clanger – A suet pastry roll, savoury at one end and sweet at the other.
- Sfogliatella – A crisp, shell-shaped layered pastry from southern Italy, filled with sweet ricotta.
Bakery hunter's tip: Walk the Embankment along the Great Ouse, then explore the town centre for Italian delis, cafés and bakeries.
Did you know? Bedford's large Italian community dates largely from the 1950s, when local brickworks recruited workers from southern Italy.
Bakery types in Bedford
| Type | Bakeries | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Traditional Bakers | 11 | 48% |
| Cake Shops | 6 | 26% |
| Bakery Cafés | 5 | 22% |
| Patisseries | 4 | 17% |
| Italian Bakeries | 2 | 9% |
| French Bakeries | 1 | 4% |
| Artisan Bakeries | 1 | 4% |
| Sourdough Bakeries | 1 | 4% |
| Doughnut Shops | 1 | 4% |
| Eggless Cake Shops | 1 | 4% |
Early birds: first bakeries to open
| Bakery | Area | Opens from |
|---|---|---|
| The Bakery | Castle | 7am |
| The Cottage Bakery | Fenlake | 7:30am |
| Frescoes | Bedford Centre | 9am |
| Gunns | Bedford Centre | 9am |
| Say | Bedford Centre | 9am |
| Fancy Bakery | Harpur | 9:30am |
Bedford at a glance
| Bakeries listed | 23 |
|---|---|
| Busiest area | Bedford Centre (10) |
| With published hours | 6 |
| Open on Sundays | 2 of 6 |
| Hygiene rated | 13 (85% top rated) |
| Nation | England |
| Local time | Thu 8 Oct, 00:16 |
Bakeries in Bedford: FAQs
How many bakeries are there in Bedford?
We currently list 23 bakeries in Bedford, across 9 areas including Bedford Centre, Castle and Harpur. The list includes independent bakeries, cake shops, patisseries and chain branches.
Which bakery opens earliest in Bedford?
The Bakery has the earliest published opening time at 7am. Opening times can vary by day, so check the bakery's page for the full week.
Are bakeries in Bedford open on Sundays?
Of the 6 bakeries with published hours, 2 open on Sundays. Each listing shows a live open or closed badge based on UK time.
Do Bedford bakeries have good hygiene ratings?
11 of the 13 bakeries with a published inspection result hold a top rating (4–5, or Pass in Scotland). Ratings come from the Food Standards Agency register.
What kind of bakeries can I find in Bedford?
The most common type is traditional bakers (11), followed by cake shops, bakery cafés and patisseries.