If you come into Bristol by train via Temple Meads station, don’t just grab a cab and go, make a point of wandering next door to the hidden gem that is Hart’s Bakery.

Hart’s Bakery resides in an old railway arch beneath the station. The building has been beautifully renovated, painted in a pale jade colour tongue and groove. It houses the kitchen bakery, plus a small cafe area where customers can eat the baked treats with coffee care of Extract.

If you’re from these parts, you will probably have already sampled the legendary custard tarts, which are bike couriered throughout the city to independent coffee shops early in the morning. Such is the demand for these sumptuous tarts that you need to time your visit well. Look out for regular twitter updates notifying when they have come out of the oven!

The first I learnt of Hart’s Bakery was a few months back when my father-in-law attended their ‘Bread & Breakfast’ workshop. He went along on a Saturday evening and learnt how to make a sourdough loaf, croissants and pastries. The next morning he returned to bake them after a night of proving.

We were lucky to sample his hard work when, eager to share the fruits of his work, he delivered brunch to our home. The standard of his baking was incredible and doubly delicious.

Images by Lou Archell