While on a little road trip up the M6, we stopped in Stafford for some lunch. After lunch, I saw a…read morebakery glistening off in the distance, with windows steamed up from all the fresh baked goodness inside. This little bakery was jammed with all kinds of bread, pastries and cookies. I selected a sticky bun type of thing with raisins and currants as well as a chocolate chip cookie. Both were fantastic. If I could have eaten more, I would have ordered 1 of everything. It all looked very good. The service is excellent, with a bunch of ladies exuding classic English charm. Very pleasant and helpful.

Sandwiches, freshly baked bread, cream cakes, cakes, pies, pasties- you're kind of spoilt for…read morechoice really. Everything is made fresh every day, and every lunch time there is a queue out of the door. Service is pretty fast as it's over the high, goody-filled counter, but it's always polite. The BLT sandwiches are salty and full of awesome, the fresh cream cakes are hard to resist, and the custard slices are cut far more neatly than mine at home. I'm not particularly fond of the chocolate numbers myself, if I'm tempted, I go for the rhubarb and cherry slices (super moist), and things like the Belgian buns are pretty snazzy too. A couple of things worth noting are- They have a slicing machine- so if there's any loaves you want, but are only capable of cutting diagonal doorsteps at home, they can deal with it. If you want a hot sausage or bacon sandwich for example, you're possibly going to have a little wait as they like to cook things fresh. If you ring in advance, you can avoid standing in the corner by the fridge of drinks for a short while.

Sandwich, delicious and loads of filling inside. Topped up to the max!…read moreSlightly pricey but oh well :)

This place is legendary in the village of Hasland. Has been there years. The food never fails to…read moredeliver. Sells sandwiches, cakes, pastrys etc etc. Prices are cheap and the portions big!!! The staff are really friendly and its well situated on the main road in the village. If your passin trough Hasland you have got to grab a sandwich from here !!!

Only on thing that I don't like in there but everything else is absolutely golden in the texture…read moreand taste with everything else

It's a shame the experience isn't as good as the bread!…read more I have just got back from 'The Loaf' Crich, on what I can only imagine was a bad day. The other times I have been, I have had a pleasurable experience, and have shared my recommendations with friends and colleagues. Unfortunately, the same can not be said for today's shopping trip. Having made a special journey to get come bread, I was unable to spot it on the display, so opted for an alternative, on conveying my request I saw the bread I had gone for so said 'Oops sorry, could I change that for the caraway, I couldn't see that at first, but that's what I had come for.' my request, although met, was answered with a sigh. A sigh!! Now what kind of customer service was this?! All additional purchase ideas then went out of the window, and we just left with the bread, thus reducing your profit line, and potentially loosing a customer in the process. It seems a real shame, as I am an advocate of independent stores, although I wish your continued success, I will recommend with caution and think it will be a while before I visit again. Shame, because the bread is fab, and the egg and salmon breakfast was divine. I do believe that the owners are comitted to sharing their enjoyment of the product and this experience with customers, so hopefully this can be addressed in the future.

My friend's mum owns this place and that is not the main reason I love it, honest. It's so much…read moremore than a bakery - it's a delicatessen and sandwich shop and gossip factory all rolled into one. If your'e ever stuck for a present to buy anyone, go here. It's like a treasure trove. LOVES it. PS Hello Shirley and Lee : )

This greggs in alfreton is on the main shopping street and is very accessible to anyone who comes…read moreto Alfreton. The food is what you would expect in any greggs store really although it does not have as wide a selection of food as what a 'city greggs' has which is a disadvantage. The staff are generally friendly and helpful and if you go in regularly they get to know you. This greggs is small like most greggs and at peak times such as lunch times it can become very busy and the queue can reach out of the door! Overall it is not a bad bakery and definitely represents the greggs brand well.

Greggs is easily accessible within Alfreton town centre. It has wide varieties of sandwiches and…read morepasties and pies available, and the meal deals give excellent value for money. They have crisps and drinks too which means there is no need to shop elsewhere for lunch. They also do breakfast rolls and coffees. The shop has one door and is awkward to enter during peak times, if the queue is near the door I tend to try and avoid going there as you can't see what is available until you get to the counter. The staff are generally friendly and helpful, while also being quick and efficient at serving the customers.

This is as good as it get's for your local bakery and cafe in the UK. Friendly staff, lovely…read moreenvironment and the best cakes you will taste this side of the channel. When you enter, you'll probably struggle to find seating as this local Cafe has become the hang out place for Mum'n'Kids, Pensioners and the odd student who likes a good coffee. The cakes and sandwiches which are made fresh on site are to die for! A must for any cake lover!

I absolutely ADORE Mama Bears Cakes & Bakes!!! I live in the US, and my boyfriend lives in the UK,…read moreand I wanted to send him something super special for our anniversary. After searching endlessly and fruitlessly for weeks online for someone who could make exactly what I wanted, accept payment internationally, and deliver it to my BF, I messaged Mama Bear's, and the owner is an absolute ANGEL. She worked with me to decide on exactly what to create. Even though the things I asked for aren't typically items that she makes, she told me that she was a "romantic" and would be happy to make a special order for me. She even ended up adding decorations on her own because she wanted to make it extra special! Such a lovely person to work with!!! Her husband hand-delivered the cake & chocolate-covered strawberries to my boyfriend on our anniversary and even passed along a special message. My boyfriend was totally surprised and absolutely impressed with the presentation of the gift itself. He also said that the cake and strawberries were incredibly DELICIOUS!!! He really tried to ration them out to last longer, but they were so good he couldn't help eating them within about a week and a half haha. Mama Bear is the greatest, and if you live in the area, you should DEFINITELY choose her shop! I'd be there for coffee and baked goods daily if I didn't live across the pond! haha.

I am thoroughly 100% happy with Andrew (proprietor) and his staff, especially Katharine who I met…read morethis Saturday. Every time I ask Andrew a question he responds promptly via my email with excellent customer service. I look foward to my delicious Saturday wholemeal date and walnut sconesn and their hot cross buns were absolutely delicious this weekend compared to the rubbish cheap supermarket produce and he has even offered to bake me a wholemeal veggie pizza for one of their pizza evenings in Crich. I could not wish to find a more customer friendly cafe or restaurant and am looking forward to trying some of their wheat free bread. Katharine has also said that I could request The Loaf at Crich to do a packed lunch for my husband and I for our yoga workshop to be held in Crich on Saturday 21st July 2012. So many thanks and I do wish the The Loaf could also expand further afield eventually over The Dales, High Peaks or even other areas. Katharine Matlock

The best source for all your bread cakes!…read more I adore Gayton's bread and if I cannot find any in my local shops I always visit the bakery shop where the staff are always cheerful, happy to see you and tempt me into buying some of their excellent cakes!

I have travelled all over the world and yet Gayton's have the best bread I have ever tasted. Their…read moreGranary Loaf is to die for. If you haven't tried their products yet you haven't lived. Well worth a drive up to the Bakery as the staff are always welcoming and cheerful. Although you always leave with more than you had planned. lol.