Britain’s Best Bakeries 2026: the East of England places not to miss
Published 08 June 2026

Filipino and Korean bakes are the order of the day at this handsome little bakery on Cherry Hinton Road. Tuck into matcha cream buns, a riff on Basque cheesecake made with ube (purple yam) or pillowy ensaymada pastries filled with buttercream and topped with a drift of mild cheese. Savouries grace the counter from mid-morning, so keep an eye out for egg sandos with kimchi butter and sesame, or tuna mayo focaccia with a sprinkle of sweetcorn. Grab a seat inside to enjoy a bake with coffee, or enjoy a strawberry matcha latte on one of the pavement tables when the weather's fine. 

Former Pophams head baker Dan Frazer and Downham Market local Lucy Peacock have been delighting residents since setting up shop on the Market Place in 2024. Pophams fans might recognise the maple-bacon swirls, the rosemary sea-salt twists and the seasonal danishes, but there's plenty more to intrigue and delight – including damson iced buns, Hawaiian pain suisse and sourdough loaves spiked with spelt, honey and oats. If you’ve waited in the line snaking out onto the street, a warm welcome awaits – so we suggest grabbing a seat at the communal table to savour it all.

It’s not hard to understand the appeal of this standalone bakery across the courtyard from the White Horse pub. With a charming beamed and stone-walled interior – plus a winter-warming wood-burner and pretty, partially covered terrace seating – it’s clearly popular with a local crowd. The daytime fare is exactly what you would expect: breakfasts of Clarence Court poached eggs with local thick-cut ham on sourdough or croissants filled with smoked salmon and cream cheese, plus excellent pain au chocolat, almond croissants, Danish pastries and very good coffee. Lunch brings home-baked focaccia filled with roast pork and apple sauce or a Walsingham Cheddar and ham toastie. Don’t forget to pick up a baguette, some rye bread or a sourdough loaf when you leave. 

There’s something of a local fan club for this town-centre bakery/deli run by the Wooster family, so look sharp because the early laden shelves can empty quickly. Try the deep, malty flavour of a peerless sprouted rye sourdough or go for a bouncy white batch loaf. Meet your sweet needs with a cream-filled morning bun or a paper bag of soft amaretti, and don’t miss the squidgy richness of the malt loaf. Wooster's pops up at local farmers’ markets and there’s nationwide delivery of some items. A second branch can be found at the Bull Pen at Wyken Vineyards.