Best Bakery and Cake Shops in Maidstone Road

"This North London bakery describes itself as ‘a bit health conscious’: cakes contain low fat and sugar, but enough to ensure they taste delicious. Cutter & Squidge cakes make the perfect centrepiece for a big celebration too: the Macron Drip Cake, for instance, is a layered creation decorated with macarons, topped with chocolate shards and finished with 24 carat gold. Vegan cakes are also available, and everything can be personalised."

"A Biskie is a sandwiched dessert that’s essentially a cross between a cake and a cookie and is filled with cream or other ingredients. You can find Biskies only at Cutter and Squidge, a cute little bakery with locations in Soho and Bank. Their Salted Caramel Biskie is award winning and if you’re vegan or GF you’ll still find delicious options to choose from."

"We make everything from scratch and where possible we use real British ingredients or source from British producers where we can’t.’. The sweet stuff: Cakes and (wince) ‘biskies’. The stuff looks next-level, though, and the mixed selection boxes would make anyone’s day."

"No longer need we rely on our stateside cousins for doughnut decadence with these guys around. Once a market stall on Leather Lane, Crosstown Doughnuts have opened 5 permanent locations around London in the last 2 years, serving up their unique take on the American classic. Crosstown bake their doughnuts from sourdough, giving them a bread-like texture, topped and filled with myriad intriguing flavours, from Yuzu & Passionfruit to Beetroot Lemon-Thyme."

"What: Sourdough doughnuts are a thing, and a thing of beauty as Crosstown have proven time and time again. These pillowy piles of perfection have gained cult status among doughnut lovers (the majority of us, we think) and are available on same day delivery. Try and find a fault in any of that."

"Vegan 'Peanut Butter and Blackcurrant Compote' from Crosstown Doughnuts. Crosstown Doughnuts in Marylebone. Crosstown Doughnuts' vegan 'Lime & Coconut' doughnut"

"Flor, in Borough Market, comes with serious credentials; after all, it's the long-awaited little sister to the Michelin-starred Lyle’s. Its ground-floor wine bar doubles as a bakery, already known for its sourdough; supplies are limited, so invest in a loaf on arrival. Stools—reserved for walk-ins—line the window and marble counter, which overlooks the kitchen (tiny is an understatement; even four chefs seems a squeeze)."

"Outstanding pizza slingers ASAP have left the building, but outdoor seating continues for superb pastries and Pam Yung’s eclectic approach to modern London cooking."

"This paean to the traditions and hospitality of continental Europe “is a bakery restaurant that revolves around and relies on the grains rather than it just being another ingredient.” Growing farmer Andy Cato’s Gascony grains in Sussex and Norfolk to ensure a consistent supply, those grains are milled into flour on site for breads and patisserie; health claims aside, the croissants at Jolene have a nuttier, earthier profile than any others in the city. Honeyed financiers and delicate madeleines are excellent pars on a fine course: rustling, snappy palmiers are a must-grab-and-go, pastry flaking over greedy hands. Currently operating as a bakery/cafe."

"Jolene is one of the best bakeries in London for much of the same reasons that its sister, Big Jo, is one of the best. Both of them bake bread, cakes and pastries with soul; placing a razor-sharp focus on ancient and heritage grains. Jolene’s cakes – which range from gloriously burnt Basque cheesecakes to zesty Victoria sponges – should be essentials on your click and collect hit list."

"Brunch , Bakery/Cafe"

"Elizabeth Kerr runs not-for-profit supper clubs, records fascinating podcasts with other foodies (including episode 2 with our most favourite baker Ryan from Borough 22) and has an online arm to her bakery which means we can enjoy her sumptuous creations at home. Choose from interesting flavour combinations such as pistachio and mascarpone, and the vanilla buttermilk cake with kesar mango jam and mascarpone, decorated with pineapple flowers, physalis and oranges. Utterly scrumptiuous."

"The sweet stuff: Letterbox-sized brownies, as well as a selection of little and not-so-little cakes. Delivery: Courier for Zones 1 and 2 is available. Orders are dispatched on Thursdays, and usually take two days to arrive."

"Available from Monday – Wednesday, 4pm-10pm, and Thursday – Sunday, 1pm – 10pm, Oren in Dalston will continue to offer a takeaway service. Offering a food and wine menu for take-away, highlights include the likes of freshly-baked pittas, whole challah loaves, rice with beef and lamb koftas, and Jerusalem mixed grill. Further information can be found on Oren’s website."

"Starting just east of Chalkwell Station, this beach is the choice of people who value peace for winter walks or sunbathing hot summer days. Chalkwell Beach is removed from Southend’s bustling arcades and entertainment, and has a vast belt of pebbles and sand tracked by a quiet, residential esplanade. And even if Chalkwell Beach has a more restrained atmosphere, there are shops selling beach paraphernalia and amenities like cafes just behind."

"Out of the way of the hustle and bustle of Southend’s central seaside, Chalkwell beach offers a quieter beach area for relaxation."

"One minute the sea will be there, then at low tide it’s literally completely disappeared. (Hence why the pier needed to be so long back in the day!). The largest beach which is closest to everything is Jubilee Beach."

"Situated in North London, Highgate Wood is one of the four ancient woods of the London Borough of Haringey (together with Queen’s Wood, Coldfall Wood and Bluebell Wood). Containing an impressive variety of trees and shrub species, the Highgate Wood is the home for many foxes, grey squirrels, as well as multiple species of birds, bats, butterflies and spiders. Besides the fact that it was included among the eight Green Heritage Sites in London, Highgate Wood also attracts visitors with its recreational facilities like children playgrounds, cafés, walking trails and sporting fields."

"One of the most famous palaces in England, Hampton Court is known for its lush gardens and unusual architecture (half-Tudor, half-Baroque). Get lost in the Hampton Court maze, see the largest grapevine in the world, and take a behind-the-scenes look at a palace kitchen that was once used to serve hundreds of guests. Historical reenactments take place during the day and are a delight for travellers interested in British royalty. Hampton Court is within walking distance of the nearby train station and the River Thames for easy access back to London."

"Hampton Court Palace is a royal palace in London on the River Thames. King Henry VIII initially ordered construction of the palace to begin in 1515 for Cardinal Thomas Wolsey; within 15 years, Wolsey was no longer a favorite of the king and so he returned the palace to the monarch. Hampton Court Palace is one of just two surviving palaces from the reign of King Henry VIII. It is now owned by Queen Elizabeth II."

"Download the Hampton Court Map to easily navigate around the palace. It is highly recommended to download this Hampton Court Palace Map as it will be handy if you’re doing a self-guided/audio tour of the Palace."

"The Princess Diana memorial playground in Kensington Gardens is a fantasy land, very much inspired by Peter Pan, for children up to about 12. It is a safe, fenched area for families only. This playground has remained open, but with reduced capacity, maximum 150 children at a time, because of this you may have to queue to get in."

"Found in the heart of East London's Blackhorse Beer Mile, Signature Brew Blackhorse Road is a sleek and modern brewery, fronting 12 lines of carefully crafted beer. Expect food courtesy of burger and wing gurus We Serve Humans as well as live music on the weekends. Alternatively, check out its Haggerston taproom, housed inside a former archway."

"Fourpure’s location at the back of a fairly unlovely trading estate would be — otherwise — the last place you’d choose to spend a Saturday afternoon. However, read the tap list on the monitor behind the bar, and you’ll know you’re in the right place. The bar carries 16 lines, dispensing the brewery’s core range, many more of their somewhat leftfield beers, and the odd guest draught."

"Completely unshowy and without any hint of pretention, Fourpure has been making top quality beer in the most seemingly simple of locations. It’s already gaining a wider audience and their taproom is well worth a visit. It’s also worth mentioning their excellent blog which is great reading for people who love beer and life in general."

"Fourpure's stylish industrial taproom is nestled within their brewery site in Bermondsey, offering 40 taps of fresh craft beer from the taps. If you fancy taking home a souvenir, they sell takeaway cans and plenty of merch for craft beer fans."