Big Wigs Bakery is a small, well-loved bakery and coffee shop on Poole Road in Westbourne, part of a handful of BigWigs branches dotted around the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole area. It's the kind of place locals build a morning routine around, in for a coffee and a pastry, out again with a loaf under one arm.
What's baked here
Everything on the counter is made in-house: sourdough and other fresh breads, croissants and pain au chocolat, filled and ring doughnuts, cakes such as red velvet and carrot cake, and savoury bakes including sausage rolls and cheese toasties. Breakfast and brunch options run from bacon or sausage baps to sandwiches, and there are gluten-free and vegan bakes alongside the regular range. Stock changes through the day, so the best pastries tend to go early, particularly at weekends.
Coffee and atmosphere
Coffee is a big part of the draw alongside the bakes, served in a cosy, friendly space with some seating along the back wall. It's a compact shop rather than a sit-down café, so it suits a quick stop or a takeaway coffee as much as a lingering brunch, useful to know if you're planning to eat in.
Good to know
Big Wigs is open Monday to Saturday from 08:30 to 16:00 and Sunday 08:30 to 15:00, though as with any independent bakery it's worth confirming hours and stock before a special trip, especially later in the day. It sits on Poole Road in the heart of Westbourne's shopping streets, easy to combine with a wander round the area's independent shops.
For more bakeries, cafés and places to eat nearby, browse our food & drink guide, or see what else is worth doing in the area in our things to do guide.