Ock River Bakery Shopfront
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Ock River Bakery

Small Batch Breads & Pastries in a Rustic Shed

With a courtyard garden where you can sample bakes and coffee

Our Story

Started in 2025 by Mary McGill, Ock River Bakery is a small batch bread and pastry bakery based in a rustic shed in Abingdon, Oxfordshire. We have a courtyard garden out front where people can sample bakes and coffee.

Mary McGill

Mary McGill

Founder & Baker

Dreams Really Do Come True — Mine Just Happens to Smell Like Freshly Baked Pastries

I've been cooking since I was 17, always imagining the day I'd have a place of my own. At first, I pictured a cosy farm shop or a little café… but life had a better plan.

While running my catering business, Chef at Home, at Coxeter House, a fantastic opportunity popped up — right underneath my kitchen! And that's how my dream started taking shape: a vintage bakery shed.

A little about me: I've spent years as Head Chef at The Eyston Arms in East Hendred, but pastries have always been my favourite. In my busy kitchen, I made most of the puddings — and loved it.

More recently, since starting my catering company, I've been working a few hours a week at a local bakery, Blewbury Bread, to hone my skills. Thanks to Jack and Paul, I've learned the art of lamination — the magic behind those buttery, flaky layers that make your heart (and stomach) so happy. Therapeutic in every way.

Now, with the right timing, finances, and the help of some fab friends and my wonderful partner, it's all coming together — my little dream is becoming real.

I can't wait to welcome you all in, share my baking, and hopefully send you away with a smile… and maybe a croissant or two.

Along for the ride in the bakery shed, I'll be working with some fantastic local suppliers — bringing their amazing ingredients and products into the mix — while still making about 70% of everything myself, fresh and from scratch. Think of it as the best of both worlds: my passion and recipes, paired with the incredible talents of other local producers.

Menu

Weekly specials always available

Artisan Breads

Sourdough, Granary, White, Wholemeal, Focaccia

Flavoured Butters

Roasted Garlic & Thyme, Chorizo & Blushed Tomato, Café de Paris

Sausage Rolls

Pork, Thyme & Apple, Jerk Pork & BBQ Sauce, Nduja, Fennel & Pork

Breakfast Specials

Traditional Spanish Frittata, Warm Bacon & Maple Swirls, Ham & Cheese Croissants

Laminated Pastries

Double Chocolate Pain au Chocolat, Gruyere & Leek Swirls, Croissants, Danish Pastries

Cakes & Tarts

Raspberry & Almond Frangipane, Chocolate & Pecan, Carrot & Orange, Lemon & Rosemary Drizzle

English Desserts

Treacle Tarts, Lemon Possets, Cherry Bakewell

Daily Salad Specials

Tandoori Marinated Chicken with Spiced Cous Cous, Chicken Caesar with smoked bacon & sourdough croutons

Sandwiches

Focaccia / Schiacciata Sandwiches, Crusty Rolls, Brioche Rolls

Fresh Eggs

Mayfield Eggs from New Yett, Witney

Local Honey

Produced by PYE's Beezz, Shiplake, Henley

Freshly Brewed Coffee

Supplied from Cotswold Coffee Company and The Oxford Coffee Company

Teas & Hot Chocolate

Taylors of Harrogate English Breakfast, Lemon & Orange, Green Tea with Jasmine

Artisan Sourdough Fresh Breads Bakery Mary in the bakery

Opening Hours

Monday Closed
Tuesday Closed
Wednesday Closed
Thursday 08:30 – 14:30
Friday 08:30 – 14:30
Saturday 08:30 – 12:30
Sunday Closed

Visit Us

Location

29-33 Ock Street
Abingdon, Oxfordshire

Find us in our rustic bakery shed in the heart of Abingdon, with a courtyard garden out front where you can enjoy our bakes and coffee.

We look forward to welcoming you!