Bakeries in Canterbury
Canterbury has 14 bakeries on our map, with the biggest clusters in Canterbury Centre, Blean, Aylesham and Barracks. Hover a bakery to spot it on the map, or tap Route for directions.
Explore Canterbury area by area
All bakeries in Canterbury 1–14 of 14
The baking story of Canterbury
Medieval pilgrims tramping to Becket's shrine needed feeding, and Canterbury's inns, cookshops and bakers grew up to serve them — Chaucer's travellers would have known the smell of fresh bread on these streets. The city sits in the heart of Kent, the Garden of England, surrounded by orchards, hop gardens and cobnut plats. Look out for huffkins, soft oval Kentish rolls with a thumb-pressed dimple in the middle, sometimes filled with cherries or jam. Gypsy tart, a wobbly, toffee-sweet filling of evaporated milk and muscovado sugar in a pastry case, is a bake many Kent locals remember from school dinners. Cherries in summer and apples in autumn turn up in pies, crumbles and batter puddings across the city.
Local bakes to look out for
- Kentish huffkin – A soft, flat oval roll with a dimple pressed into the middle.
- Gypsy tart – A sweet pastry tart filled with whipped evaporated milk and muscovado sugar.
- Kentish cherry batter pudding – Fresh cherries baked into a light, sweet batter, made when the orchards are heavy with fruit.
Bakery hunter's tip: Explore the cobbled King's Mile around Palace Street and Northgate for independent shops, and visit in early summer when Kentish cherries reach the stalls.
Did you know? Gypsy tart is widely said to have originated on the Isle of Sheppey in north Kent.
Bakery types in Canterbury
| Type | Bakeries | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Traditional Bakers | 7 | 50% |
| Cake Shops | 3 | 21% |
| Patisseries | 2 | 14% |
| Eggless Cake Shops | 1 | 7% |
| Doughnut Shops | 1 | 7% |
| Artisan Bakeries | 1 | 7% |
| Cookie Shops | 1 | 7% |
| Bakery Cafés | 1 | 7% |
Early birds: first bakeries to open
| Bakery | Area | Opens from |
|---|---|---|
| Gilda Bakery | Bishopsbourne | 8am |
| Canterbury Bakery | Canterbury Centre | 9am |
| Egg Free Cake Box | Canterbury Centre | 10am |
| Sumo Donuts | Canterbury Centre | 10:30am |
Canterbury at a glance
| Bakeries listed | 14 |
|---|---|
| Busiest area | Canterbury Centre (7) |
| With published hours | 4 |
| Open on Sundays | 4 of 4 |
| Hygiene rated | 12 (92% top rated) |
| Nation | England |
| Local time | Wed 7 Oct, 09:37 |
Bakeries in Canterbury: FAQs
How many bakeries are there in Canterbury?
We currently list 14 bakeries in Canterbury, across 7 areas including Canterbury Centre, Blean and Aylesham. The list includes independent bakeries, cake shops, patisseries and chain branches.
Which bakery opens earliest in Canterbury?
Gilda Bakery has the earliest published opening time at 8am. Opening times can vary by day, so check the bakery's page for the full week.
Are bakeries in Canterbury open on Sundays?
Of the 4 bakeries with published hours, 4 open on Sundays. Each listing shows a live open or closed badge based on UK time.
Do Canterbury bakeries have good hygiene ratings?
11 of the 12 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 Canterbury?
The most common type is traditional bakers (7), followed by cake shops, patisseries and eggless cake shops.