E5 Bakehouse, Dusty Knuckle Top UK’s Best Bakeries Guide

Key Points

• A new guide titled Britain’s Best Bakeries (second edition) by food and travel influencer Milly Kenny-Ryder, published this month by Hoxton Press, names top UK bakeries across England, Wales, and Scotland.
• The guide features 62 venues in total, with 23 located in London, particularly highlighting star bakers in areas such as Kentish Town, Hackney, and Islington.
• Bakeries were selected based on criteria including being “worth a detour,” ethical practices, imaginative flavours, and a passion for their craft.
• Pophams in Islington tops the list; founded by Ollie Gold and business partner Lucy McWhirter in April 2017 in a former derelict chemist, it has gained cult status for items like the bacon and maple Danish pastry and expanded to London Fields and Victoria Park.
• E5 Bakehouse, located under railway arches at London Fields in Hackney, is praised for its brunches, pastries, and sourdough made with flour milled on-site from grain grown on their Suffolk farm, plus its mission to decentralise the food system through partnerships with small-scale farmers using sustainable techniques.
• Dusty Knuckle Bakery in north London (specifically Somers Town near Kentish Town) is also named among the stars, noted for its innovative sourdough and community-focused operations, though specific details from the guide emphasise its ethical sourcing and bold flavours.
• The guide spotlights several other London bakeries in north and east areas, including those in Hackney and Islington, contributing to a strong representation of the capital’s baking scene.

Inverted Pyramid Structure

A comprehensive new guide to Britain’s finest bakeries has spotlighted E5 Bakehouse in Hackney, Dusty Knuckle in north London, and Pophams in Islington among the UK’s top venues, with London dominating the list of 62 standout spots. Food and travel influencer Milly Kenny-Ryder curated the second edition of Britain’s Best Bakeries, published this month by Hoxton Press, selecting bakeries “worth a detour” for their ethical practices, imaginative flavours, and craft passion. No fewer than 23 of the featured outlets hail from London, particularly thriving scenes in Kentish Town, Hackney, and Islington.​

Which Bakeries Made the List in North and East London?

As reported in the original coverage by journalists at This is Local London, the guide prominently features Pophams as the first on the list. Pophams was opened by founder Ollie Gold and business partner Lucy McWhirter as a tiny spot in the backstreets of Islington back in April 2017, taking over a derelict chemist. The bakery has since grown to cult status for signature items like their bacon and maple Danish pastry, and has expanded with additional sites in London Fields and Victoria Park.​

E5 Bakehouse, based under the railway arches at London Fields in Hackney, secures its place for delicious brunches, pastries, and sourdough. The venue uses flour milled on-site from grain grown on their Suffolk farm, aligning with its mission to decentralise the food system by working with small-scale farmers employing sustainable techniques. This emphasis on locality and ethics underscores Milly Kenny-Ryder’s selection criteria across the guide.​

Dusty Knuckle Bakery, operating from a site in Somers Town near Kentish Town, rounds out the star bakers in these areas. Known for its pioneering sourdough loaves and experimental pastries, the bakery embodies the guide’s focus on imaginative flavours and community-driven practices, drawing praise for its commitment to quality ingredients and social enterprise models.​

Who Is Milly Kenny-Ryder and What Makes Her Guide Special?

Milly Kenny-Ryder, a prominent food and travel influencer, authored the second edition of Britain’s Best Bakeries, now available from Hoxton Press. Her selections span 62 venues across England, Wales, and Scotland, prioritising those that stand out for more than just taste—emphasising ethical sourcing, innovation, and dedication to craft. As detailed in This is Local London‘s reporting, Kenny-Ryder chose bakeries “worth a detour,” ensuring the guide serves as both a culinary roadmap and a celebration of sustainable baking.​

The book’s release this month coincides with growing public interest in artisanal breads and pastries, particularly in urban centres like London. Kenny-Ryder’s expertise as an influencer lends credibility, with her platform highlighting venues that balance flavour with responsibility, from farm-to-table milling to community regeneration projects.​

Why Do Kentish Town, Hackney, and Islington Feature So Strongly?

North and east London’s baking renaissance shines through in the guide, with Kentish Town’s Dusty Knuckle exemplifying gritty, innovative spirit under railway arches and warehouse conversions. Hackney’s E5 Bakehouse leverages its London Fields location for farm-fresh appeal, while Islington’s Pophams transformed a derelict site into a pastry empire. These boroughs represent a hub for bakers pushing boundaries, as noted across coverage of the guide.​

The concentration of 23 London entries—nearly 40% of the total—reflects the capital’s dominance in the UK’s bakery scene. Journalists at This is Local London highlighted how these areas foster creativity, with ethical practices like on-site milling and sustainable farming setting them apart from high-street chains.​

What Are the Standout Products at These Top Bakeries?

Pophams’ bacon and maple Danish pastry has achieved iconic status, contributing to its expansion from Islington to London Fields and Victoria Park. E5 Bakehouse delights with brunches, flaky pastries, and robust sourdough, all underpinned by Suffolk-grown grains milled in-house. Dusty Knuckle stands out for its hearty sourdough varieties and bold flavour combinations, often incorporating seasonal, ethically sourced elements.​

These products exemplify the guide’s criteria: not just indulgence, but thoughtful craftsmanship. As per the This is Local London article, such offerings have propelled these bakeries to national recognition, drawing food enthusiasts willing to travel for the experience.​

How Does the Guide Promote Ethical Baking Practices?

Milly Kenny-Ryder’s selections prioritise bakeries with strong ethical foundations, such as E5 Bakehouse’s collaboration with small-scale Suffolk farmers using sustainable techniques to decentralise food production. Pophams and Dusty Knuckle similarly emphasise quality sourcing, reducing reliance on industrial supply chains. The guide positions these practices as central to modern baking excellence.​

This focus resonates amid rising consumer demand for transparency, with the second edition expanding on the first to showcase nationwide efforts. Coverage in This is Local London underscores how such missions elevate these London venues beyond mere eateries.​

What Is the Broader Impact on London’s Bakery Scene?

The guide’s endorsement cements Kentish Town, Hackney, and Islington as epicentres of UK’s baking talent, boosting footfall to these independent spots. With 62 venues featured, it spotlights a diverse national landscape while affirming London’s lead. Ollie Gold and Lucy McWhirter’s journey with Pophams illustrates growth potential, from humble beginnings to multi-site success.​

As This is Local London reports, the publication arrives at a time when artisanal baking supports local economies and sustainability goals. It encourages detours to venues like Dusty Knuckle, fostering appreciation for craft over convenience.​

Where Can Readers Find More Details on the Full List?

The second edition of Britain’s Best Bakeries by Milly Kenny-Ryder is available from Hoxton Press this month, detailing all 62 venues with insights into their stories and offerings. While London claims 23 spots, the guide extends to Wales and Scotland, promoting a UK-wide bakery trail. For the complete rundown, including full profiles of E5 Bakehouse, Dusty Knuckle, and Pophams, readers should consult the book directly.