Adventures: Bakehouse Wanders Brighton Part 2 Hi everyone! After months of procrastination, I'm thrilled to finally share part two of my Brighton adventure—because who doesn’t love a seaside story? Picking up from last time, I started my day at the Flint Owl Bakery for breakfast and coffee, followed by a visit to Vero Gusto, an Italian bakery, to pick up some delectable treats. Although I’ve been to Brighton plenty of times, my adventures have mostly centred around the Marina and the beach. This time, I wandered into The Lanes—a popular spot with locals and tourists alike, but a place I’d never explored. I didn’t even realise I was in The Lanes at first—that’s what happens when you don’t have a plan. From what I gathered, The Lanes are a mix of independent shops focused on ‘hip’ culture (do people still say ‘hip’?), fashion, and antiques. None of these are really my thing, but you know what they also had? A pasty shop. Now that is definitely up my street… or lane. The ...
Adventures: Bakehouse Wanders
Brighton Part 2
Hi everyone!
After months of procrastination, I'm thrilled to finally share part two of my Brighton adventure—because who doesn’t love a seaside story?
Picking up from last time, I started my day at the Flint Owl Bakery for breakfast and coffee, followed by a visit to Vero Gusto, an Italian bakery, to pick up some delectable treats.
Although I’ve been to Brighton plenty of times, my adventures have mostly centred around the Marina and the beach. This time, I wandered into The Lanes—a popular spot with locals and tourists alike, but a place I’d never explored.
I didn’t even realise I was in The Lanes at first—that’s what happens when you don’t have a plan. From what I gathered, The Lanes are a mix of independent shops focused on ‘hip’ culture (do people still say ‘hip’?), fashion, and antiques. None of these are really my thing, but you know what they also had? A pasty shop. Now that is definitely up my street… or lane.
The Cornish Pasty Shop
The front of the Cornish Pasty Shop was so inviting, a blue and white beach hut theme, perfect for the environment, and a bandit Seagull hoisting a pasty. I love Seagulls, deal with it, this one had great taste in food too.
The food was so inviting, you can't really beat a good pasty. I got a cheese and onion pasty and a vegan sausage roll, which I saved for later on the beach. Even after cooling down a bit, they were incredible. The pastry was perfectly flaky with a hint of crispness—just as it should be. A proper Cornish pasty uses a flaky pastry that melts in your mouth and leaves happy pigeons scavenging for crumbs.
Just as the pastry was spot on, there was so much filling, flavourful too. There was no quantity versus quality battle here, there was both.
The filling was generous and flavourful, proving you don’t have to sacrifice quality for quantity.
The lady behind the counter was so friendly—I’m a bit of an introvert, but her warmth and kindness really stood out. Following my earlier encounters that day, she restored my faith in humanity, at least a little.
According to the shopfront, they’ve been around since 2005, and I truly hope they’re still there next time I visit. Spoiler: this was my favourite stop of the day. If you’re in Brighton, make a point to visit—you won’t regret it.
Gail's Bakery
My next stop was a planned one: Gail’s. Their app had gifted me a free birthday cake, and I was determined to claim it. Although Gail’s coffee is merely okay, their food is consistently excellent.
Last time I went to Gail's I saw the Babka, and got excited, but the problem was they had some seasonal bits that I went for. This time the Babka was coming with me, a slice anyway—no, wait the whole remaining cake.
The lovely lady behind the counter added the extra slices as a birthday treat, which was such a kind gesture. Feeling slightly guilty about walking out with so much free cake, I bought a coffee too.
The Babka was everything I’d hoped for. Rich, slightly moist chocolate swirls nestled in soft, tender dough. I’ve attempted to make Babka at home before, but this was several levels above my efforts.
Gail’s may not be artisanal anymore, with branches popping up everywhere, but they still deliver quality. I challenge anyone to walk past their window displays without wanting to buy something.
Loaded with cakes, pasties and coffee, it was time for a mandatory pit stop at the beach.
The Beach
I'm not the type of person that can lay there sunbathing for hours on end, just as well at a pebble beach on a cloudy day, but there's a rooted British part of me that has an innate nostalgia for the seaside.
Whilst sitting there reminiscing over the day I made friends with a young Seagull, I didn't have food out at the time I swear, although I did end up sharing my sausage roll pastry with them—discreetly, I didn't want to attract every gull on the south coast.
There's something calming about sitting solo on a quiet beach when the weather isn't in your favour, it allows you to reflect calmly— I pity ardent extroverts that they don't experience such a level of peace.
After a while the pebbles do give you a bit of an aching backside, so it was time to head back to the train station, via a patisserie though.
Julien Plumart
Half way up the hill the train station sits atop, is the most upmarket establishment of the day. Julien Plumart describe themselves as an 'elegant, intimate cafe in a perfect spot', they're not wrong.
I didn't stick around as there was a train to catch, at least I thought there was, back to that in a minute.
Looking at the display of cakes, a work of art, absolutely beautiful. Although the food throughout the day was tasty and wholesome, they didn't match of the exquisite visual appeal of the creations here.
You may have noticed that most of my stop in Brighton were by chance of wandering, but this one was a recommendation by Jemma of Crumbs & Doilies in Soho London, they definitely know their way around sweet treats.
I bought the most stunning looking eclairs, again on Jemma's recommendation, she had picked a winner.
The pairing of creamy pistachio pâtissière with tart raspberry was decadent and perfectly balanced. Julien Plumart’s vibe is entirely different from the rest of the day but fits the definition of a treat to perfection. The serving here could easily fit an elevenses catchup with an old friend, or a luxury banquet.
The Queen's Head
Now, about heading home. I missed my train—it literally left as I arrived at the platform.
Normally, I’d gloss over the wait, but there was a silver lining. The pub across the road, The Queen’s Head, had Blue Moon on draft! This was my first time seeing it on draft, and they even served it properly with a slice of orange. It was a cosy spot and the perfect place to reflect on the day while waiting for the next train.
It was a cosy enough setting, a perfect spot for those lacking good timekeeping.
Homeward Bound
From the two posts, the second quiet delayed, you can tell that it was a very long day, but worthwhile.
The food was incredible, but a couple of people stood out too for their abundant friendliness—the ladies at the Cornish Pasty Shop and Gail's. My ruminating on the beach also added some much needed peace to the day.
Brighton isn't somewhere i frequent often, but it happens occasionally, and we all have some great spots to go back too.
From these two posts, you can tell it was a long but worthwhile day. The food was incredible, but the kindness of a few strangers—the ladies at the Cornish Pasty Shop and Gail’s—made it even more memorable. Sitting on the beach gave me a much-needed moment of peace, and finishing this post feels like a triumph. Procrastination and time almost buried part two, but completing it now is a reminder of how satisfying it is to finish what you start.
Over Christmas, I’ve acquired four new cookbooks to review, so keep an eye out for those. I’m also considering another trip inspired by one of the books.
Until next time, I hope your 2025 is off to a brilliant start!