AN ARTISAN bakery in Dorset has been crowned one of the best in the UK.

Oxfords Bakery in Sherborne has been serving customers baked goods since the early 1900s.

The bakery located on Cheap Street was featured in The Times' 49 best bakeries in the UK.

Oxfords sells all types of baked delights from sourdough to falafel wraps, grilled halloumi flatbreads, salads, and soups. 

Steven Oxford, managing director at Oxfords' Bakery, said: “I’m not into awards so much as they can be quite contrived.

“But to be talked about among chefs and nominated in the top 49 bakeries nationwide is one of many great achievements for us.

“We are a 112-year-old business and industry-wise we would be recognised as high quality with no fuss. Perhaps, we just don’t shout about it as much as we should.”

When asked about the boost in popularity, he said: “Our customers are obviously really pleased for us, but to be honest, we are a business that serves people who tend to know a bit about food and the provenance of it.”

“It’s important for people to recognise that a business like ours, that’s been trading for 112 years by pulling wheat out of the ground in Blandford, having it milled in a water mill in Shaftesbury and baking it in Sherborne for our few shops around.

“Dorset is exceptionally unique not just today- but it has been done the same way for over a century.

“To be nominated as the top 49 in the country is really a testament to the team we have and recognition of the hard work of the bakers, of whom I’m honoured to work with.

“We tend to bring back memories for people.”

The British bakery also recently starred in Channel 5’s Dorset: Country and Coast.

The winning bakery was chosen by Louise-Perry-Warnes, the head of Wildfires supper clubs in Dorset.

Louise said: “Oxfords has been going since I went to school near Sherborne, and I remember grabbing an iced bun after school with my mum as a treat.”