Bakeries in St Albans
From early-morning loaves to celebration cakes, here are the 21 bakeries we know about in St Albans, 5 of them with published opening hours.
Explore St Albans area by area
All bakeries in St Albans 1–21 of 21
The baking story of St Albans
St Albans claims a special place in baking history. In 1361, according to local tradition, a monk at the abbey named Brother Thomas Rocliffe baked spiced buns marked with a cross and handed them to the poor on Good Friday — the 'Alban bun', often cited as an ancestor of the hot cross bun. The abbey stands on the site where Alban, Britain's first recorded Christian martyr, was executed, and the Roman city of Verulamium lies in the park below. St Albans' street market has filled St Peter's Street on Wednesdays and Saturdays for many centuries, and the city has a thriving café and bakery culture. Hertfordshire's chalk streams once supplied watercress to the London markets.
Local bakes to look out for
- Alban bun – A spiced, fruited bun marked with a cross, linked to the abbey since the 14th century.
- Hot cross bun – A soft, spiced Easter bun with currants and a pastry cross.
Bakery hunter's tip: Visit on a Wednesday or Saturday for the market on St Peter's Street, and around Easter look out for Alban buns in local bakeries.
Did you know? The Alban bun is traditionally made and sold in St Albans during Holy Week, keeping a tradition said to date from 1361.
Bakery types in St Albans
| Type | Bakeries | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Traditional Bakers | 16 | 76% |
| Bakery Cafés | 3 | 14% |
| Artisan Bakeries | 2 | 10% |
| Sourdough Bakeries | 2 | 10% |
| Cake Shops | 2 | 10% |
| Vegan Bakeries | 1 | 5% |
Early birds: first bakeries to open
| Bakery | Area | Opens from |
|---|---|---|
| Artoplasia | St Albans Centre | 6am |
| Simmons Bakers | St Albans Centre | 8am |
| Baked Nation | St Albans Centre | 8am |
| Redbournbury Watermill & Bakery | Redbourn | 9am |
| Lazy Llama Cafe | Chiswell Green | 9am |
St Albans at a glance
| Bakeries listed | 21 |
|---|---|
| Busiest area | St Albans Centre (12) |
| With published hours | 5 |
| Open on Sundays | 3 of 5 |
| Hygiene rated | 17 (82% top rated) |
| Nation | England |
| Local time | Mon 5 Oct, 02:42 |
Bakeries in St Albans: FAQs
How many bakeries are there in St Albans?
We currently list 21 bakeries in St Albans, across 9 areas including St Albans Centre, Chiswell Green and Cotlandswick. The list includes independent bakeries, cake shops, patisseries and chain branches.
Which bakery opens earliest in St Albans?
Artoplasia has the earliest published opening time at 6am. Opening times can vary by day, so check the bakery's page for the full week.
Are bakeries in St Albans open on Sundays?
Of the 5 bakeries with published hours, 3 open on Sundays. Each listing shows a live open or closed badge based on UK time.
Do St Albans bakeries have good hygiene ratings?
14 of the 17 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 St Albans?
The most common type is traditional bakers (16), followed by bakery cafés, artisan bakeries and sourdough bakeries.