Bakeries in Reading
Reading has 31 bakeries on our map, with the biggest clusters in Reading Centre, Battle, Caversham and Kentwood. Hover a bakery to spot it on the map, or tap Route for directions.
Explore Reading area by area
All bakeries in Reading 1–30 of 31
Krispy Kreme Doughnuts at The Oracle
R15 the Riverside the Oracle Bridge Street, Reading Centre RG1 2AG
Rodeo Doughnuts
Vue Cinema the Riverside the Oracle Bridge Street, Reading Centre RG1 2AG
The baking story of Reading
Reading was once famous for its 'three Bs' — beer, bulbs and biscuits — and the biscuits were the biggest of all. A Quaker biscuit-making business founded in the town in the 1820s grew into the largest biscuit manufacturer in the world by the early 20th century, employing thousands of people and sending decorated biscuit tins across the globe. Reading Museum holds a large collection of those tins and tells the story of the factory. Long before that, Reading Abbey, founded by Henry I in 1121, made the town a pilgrimage and market centre. Today Reading is a busy, diverse town with Caribbean, South Asian and Eastern European bakeries alongside sourdough specialists.
Local bakes to look out for
- Biscuits – Plain and fancy biscuits, the product that made Victorian Reading famous.
- Lardy cake – A rich, sticky fruited bread found across southern England.
- Jamaican patty – A spiced pastry turnover from the town's Caribbean bakeries.
Bakery hunter's tip: Visit Reading Museum for its collection of decorative biscuit tins, then explore the Abbey Quarter and the independent cafés around Market Place.
Did you know? By the early 1900s, Reading's biscuit factory was the largest in the world, employing several thousand workers.
Bakery types in Reading
| Type | Bakeries | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Traditional Bakers | 13 | 42% |
| Cake Shops | 5 | 16% |
| Bakery Cafés | 4 | 13% |
| Artisan Bakeries | 3 | 10% |
| Sourdough Bakeries | 2 | 6% |
| Patisseries | 2 | 6% |
| Cookie Shops | 2 | 6% |
| French Bakeries | 2 | 6% |
| Doughnut Shops | 2 | 6% |
| Eggless Cake Shops | 1 | 3% |
Early birds: first bakeries to open
| Bakery | Area | Opens from |
|---|---|---|
| The Street Bakeshop | Green Park | 7am |
| GAIL's | Reading Centre | 7am |
| Warings | Caversham | 7am |
| Wolseley Street Bakery | Spring Gardens | 8am |
| Geo Café | Caversham | 8am |
| BKRY | Caversham | 9am |
Reading at a glance
| Bakeries listed | 31 |
|---|---|
| Busiest area | Reading Centre (11) |
| With published hours | 10 |
| Open on Sundays | 7 of 10 |
| Hygiene rated | 24 (96% top rated) |
| Nation | England |
| Local time | Sun 4 Oct, 22:08 |
Bakeries in Reading: FAQs
How many bakeries are there in Reading?
We currently list 31 bakeries in Reading, across 12 areas including Reading Centre, Battle and Caversham. The list includes independent bakeries, cake shops, patisseries and chain branches.
Which bakery opens earliest in Reading?
The Street Bakeshop 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 Reading open on Sundays?
Of the 10 bakeries with published hours, 7 open on Sundays. Each listing shows a live open or closed badge based on UK time.
Do Reading bakeries have good hygiene ratings?
23 of the 24 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 Reading?
The most common type is traditional bakers (13), followed by cake shops, bakery cafés and artisan bakeries.