Shelleys Bakery in Highcliffe
There is not much that will get me out of bed before 7am on a weekend, but the promise of having a snoop around my favourite bakery did. It was still dark when I arrived on a stormy Saturday morning (pre-lockdown, obviously), and three bakers had been working through the night to create the astonishing array of treats that awaited me. It was already a hive of activity, with staff stocking the shelves and early-birds arriving for fresh bread, pastries, hot bacon or sausage baps and coffees.
Traditional, artisan and speciality breads
Owner Gary Marlow showed me around, and talked me through the beautiful breads that are the foundation of their business. Traditional loaves such as farmhouse, tiger and bloomer sit alongside artisan breads like sourdough and ciabatta. And the ever-growing range of speciality breads includes a jalapeño and cheddar loaf and a garlic butter fougasse.
The bakers use fresh yeast and English flour that is so freshly-milled, it is still warm when it arrives. All loaves are hand-moulded and shaped, and their sourdough starter is 50-years-old.
They make up to 50 different cakes and pastries in-house every day, from the more traditional Eccles cake and egg custard tarts to flavoured iced doughnuts and rocky road. Customers flock from far and wide for their excellent Lardy cake, which is made to a traditional recipe.
They also have savouries, such as sausage rolls and award-winning pasties in flavours from traditional Cornish to Jamaican vegetable.
2020: A challenging year
As for so many businesses, 2020 has thrown up a lot of challenges. They usually sell at markets and around 20 events throughout the year, which were of course cancelled. In normal times they sell as many as 2,000 Lardy cakes and 5,000 sausage rolls at the Great Dorset Steam Fair (and those are just mine)!
It’s a family affair at the weekend, with Gary’s kids and wife working alongside him (and horrified to be photographed)!
Home delivery service
Following demand during the first lockdown, they offer a home delivery service to local residents from Monday-Friday. It’s not only baked goods that are available, but also free range eggs, fresh milk, premium ham and cheeses, plus freshly filled sandwiches and rolls. Minimum order is £7 and delivery is free. You can place your order and pay online here, or call 01425 273888.
