Northants, Leics &amp; Rutland


<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="662" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/07/Hambleton-Bakery-001-1024x662.jpeg" alt="Hambleton Bakery Exton Rutland Artisan bakery and cafe" class="wp-image-48825" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/07/Hambleton-Bakery-001-1024x662.jpeg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/07/Hambleton-Bakery-001-300x194.jpeg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/07/Hambleton-Bakery-001-768x496.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/07/Hambleton-Bakery-001.jpeg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-lowdown">THE LOWDOWN</h2>



<p>In a beautifully renovated former pump house on what was part of the grand Exton Estate, we have it on good authority that Lord Gainsborough pops in to <a href="https://www.hambletonbakery.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hambleton Bakery</a> for his morning coffee and a bacon butty and it&#8217;s not hard to see why. This out of the way but hugely popular bakery and café is something of a flagship for a <a href="https://www.hambletonbakery.co.uk/pages/visit-us" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">small chain of bakeries</a> co-owned by Head Chef and 10th generation baker Julian Carter (FYI he was also Private Chef to John Major at Downing Street and Chequers) and Restauranteur Tim Hart, who also founded the Michelin starred institution that is Hambleton Hall, just up the road, as well as the renowned Harts Hotel and Restaurant in Nottingham. So far, so much pedigree. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="677" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/07/Hambleton-Bakery-002-1024x677.jpeg" alt="Hambleton Bakery terrace and cafe" class="wp-image-48827" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/07/Hambleton-Bakery-002-1024x677.jpeg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/07/Hambleton-Bakery-002-300x198.jpeg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/07/Hambleton-Bakery-002-768x507.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/07/Hambleton-Bakery-002.jpeg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>The bakery was set up in 2008 with a view to providing top quality bread for the existing restaurants and has grown, like a very good sourdough starter, into what it is today, picking up the title of <em>Britain&#8217;s Best Bakery</em> from ITV in 2012. It&#8217;s very much about small scale production, artisan skills and local produce, with the focus on high quality breads using stoneground flour without additives or flavourings. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-vibe">THE VIBE</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="982" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/07/Hambleton-Bakery-003-1024x982.jpg" alt="Hambleton Bakery lawn and terrace exton rutland" class="wp-image-48829" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/07/Hambleton-Bakery-003-1024x982.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/07/Hambleton-Bakery-003-300x288.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/07/Hambleton-Bakery-003-768x736.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/07/Hambleton-Bakery-003.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>In a gorgeous little wooded glade along a country road, you would almost never stumble across Hambleton Bakery, and yet it&#8217;s always bustling with customers buying bread and pastries or sitting down for coffee or lunch. The historic pump house has been lovingly converted into a swish café with a Scandi-esque interior, industrial style lighting and large Crittal-style doors that open onto the dining terrace and an expansive lawn with beautiful rural views and tons of lavender in bloom when I was there. Inside there are prints and original art works on the walls, comfy leather upholstered chairs and banquettes and a little window through to the bakery, so you can watch the magic happen and the waiting wooden trolleys fill up with freshly baked treats. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-scoff-and-quaff">SCOFF AND QUAFF</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="768" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/07/Hambleton-Bakery-005-1024x768.jpg" alt="Hambleton Bakery sweet potato goulash soup" class="wp-image-48833" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/07/Hambleton-Bakery-005-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/07/Hambleton-Bakery-005-300x225.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/07/Hambleton-Bakery-005-768x576.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/07/Hambleton-Bakery-005.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>Pop in for coffee and a croissant or settle in for some heartier fare, there&#8217;s plenty of choice on the menu, as well as a daily specials board. We kicked off with a coffees and a spicy but fresh sweet potato goulash soup (£5.50) alongside a smoked salmon and cream cheese croissant with dill (£8.50).</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="768" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/07/Hambleton-Bakery-004-1024x768.jpg" alt="Hambleton Bakery salmon and cream cheese croissant dill exton rutland" class="wp-image-48831" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/07/Hambleton-Bakery-004-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/07/Hambleton-Bakery-004-300x225.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/07/Hambleton-Bakery-004-768x576.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/07/Hambleton-Bakery-004.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>We couldn&#8217;t resist trying a few extra treats from the pastry counter, including the famous Rutland Pippin (£3.60), which is what sealed the deal on Hambleton&#8217;s coveted <em>Best Bakery</em> award. It&#8217;s ham hock Lincolnshire sausage, stilton and local apples, wrapped in a water pastry parcel in the shape of an apple. I suppose it&#8217;s a fancy twist on the Melton Mowbray pork pie and it looks as impressive as it tastes.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="704" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/07/Rutland-Pippin-1024x704.jpg" alt="Hambleton Bakery Rutland Pippin " class="wp-image-48836" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/07/Rutland-Pippin-1024x704.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/07/Rutland-Pippin-300x206.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/07/Rutland-Pippin-768x528.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/07/Rutland-Pippin.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>We also scoffed ham, mustard and smoked cheese tart (£4.40) &#8211; delicately smoky and moreish; strawberry tart with <em>crème pâtissière</em> (£3) and a perfectly gooey chocolate brownie (£3.15) that had just a hint of coffee to lift the flavour. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="768" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/07/Hambleton-Bakery-008-1024x768.jpg" alt="Hambleton Bakery strawberry tart" class="wp-image-48842" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/07/Hambleton-Bakery-008-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/07/Hambleton-Bakery-008-300x225.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/07/Hambleton-Bakery-008-768x576.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/07/Hambleton-Bakery-008.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>There&#8217;s a real emphasis on regional food heritage here so local ingredients are used as much as possible and another thing to note is that you don&#8217;t have to get up at the crack of dawn, as there is almost invariably enough freshly baked bread to be able to grab a baguette or a sourdough loaf well into the afternoon. That gets a double thumbs up from us. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="664" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/07/Hambleton-Bakery-007-1024x664.jpg" alt="Hambleton Bakery artisan bread" class="wp-image-48838" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/07/Hambleton-Bakery-007-1024x664.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/07/Hambleton-Bakery-007-300x195.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/07/Hambleton-Bakery-007-768x498.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/07/Hambleton-Bakery-007.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>A well as amazing breads, you can also get a variety of jam, chutney, honey and granola from the shop and I couldn&#8217;t resist taking a bag of delights home with me for the weekend, so stocked up on sourdough, chocolate and caramel shortbread biscuits, lemon cruffins, raspberry doughnuts and pecan buns. What? You wouldn&#8217;t want a girl to waste away, would you? </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-out-and-about">OUT AND ABOUT</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="832" height="1024" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/07/Rutland-Nursery-832x1024.jpeg" alt="Rutland Nursery" class="wp-image-48844" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/07/Rutland-Nursery-832x1024.jpeg 832w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/07/Rutland-Nursery-244x300.jpeg 244w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/07/Rutland-Nursery-768x945.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/07/Rutland-Nursery-1248x1536.jpeg 1248w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/07/Rutland-Nursery.jpeg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 832px) 100vw, 832px" /></figure>



<p>Bijou Rutland is small but mighty, with water sports a-plenty on the reservoir, as well as cycling and walking routes, plus gorgeous independent shops in nearby Oakham, Uppingham and Stamford. Neighbouring&nbsp;<a href="https://barnsdalegardens.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Barnsdale Gardens</a> is a lovely place to visit both for keen gardeners seeking inspiration or just those who love being in gardens.&nbsp;If you&#8217;re a foodie, try <a href="https://www.hoggysgrill.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hoggy’s Grill Cookery School</a>&nbsp;run by ex-England cricketer Matthew Hoggard at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rutlandnursery.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rutland Nursery</a> (above),&nbsp;or <a href="https://www.hiddenfoodtours.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hidden Food Tours</a>&nbsp;in Melton Mowbray, and the fabulous&nbsp;<a href="https://burghley.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Burghley House</a> at Stamford, which has a kids’ adventure playground alongside the house, gardens and deer park.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-kid-friendly">KID FRIENDLY? </h2>



<p>If your kids like amazing cakes and pastries, then yes. It&#8217;s also easy to manoeuvre a pushchair as it&#8217;s really spacious inside and there are high chairs available in the café. There&#8217;s also space outside on the lawn for energetic legs and loads of free parking on site. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dog-friendly">DOG FRIENDLY?</h2>



<p>Well behaved dogs are welcome both outside and inside the café and (shhh) they will love the sausage rolls. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-accessibility">ACCESSIBILITY</h2>



<p>It&#8217;s all on one level with no steps up to get in and there&#8217;s plenty of space between tables for pushchairs and wheelchairs too. The loos are quite cosy but, again, all on one level. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-muddy-verdict">THE MUDDY VERDICT</h2>



<p><strong>Good for:</strong> Somewhere utterly lovely to come for amazing coffee and great food that isn&#8217;t a pub or full-on three course meal, but is just that little bit elevated. Take your kids, mother-in-law or meet a friend for a long lazy lunch.</p>



<p><strong>Not for:</strong> If you&#8217;re looking for a remote working spot this probably isn&#8217;t it. There&#8217;s very little phone signal and the wifi isn&#8217;t the best &#8211; think of it more as a place to escape from your digital devices. </p>



<p><em>Hambleton Bakery and Café, 2 Cottesmore Road, Exton, Oakham, Rutland LE15 8AN, <a href="tel:01572%20812995">01572 812995</a>, <a href="https://www.hambletonbakery.co.uk/pages/exton@hambletonbakery.co.uk">exton@hambletonbakery.co.uk</a></em></p>


Review: Hambleton Bakery and Café, Exton

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