UK's Oldest Family Owned Bakeries
Family Business United are committed to compiling and maintaining a record of the oldest family owned bakeries across the UK and below you will find the current listing of the oldest, going back generations and representing thousands of years of familial ownership and leadership.
In compiling the listings, we have used various means to make it as comprehensive and accurate as possible. However, due to the fact that there is no legal requirement to disclose the status of the underlying ownership in business it is not an easy process. We used our networks, connections at trade bodies and extensive desktop research to determine the oldest family businesses but are not able to say unequivocally that there are not a few other hidden gems out there. From time to time another long-standing family firm is brought to our attention and after the necessary research and confirmations have been obtained, the business is added and the list updated.
If you are aware of a family business that needs to be considered for inclusion then please do not hesitate to get in touch so that we can update the list accordingly.
Warburtons Limited
1876
Warburtons is the largest bakery brand in the United Kingdom, founded in 1876 in Bolton, Lancashire, by Thomas and Ellen Warburton. As of March 2026, the company is celebrating its 150th anniversary with a national "150 Years in the Baking" campaign featuring Hollywood actor Morgan Freeman.
Bettys And Taylors Group Ltd
1886
Bettys & Taylors of Harrogate is a family-owned Yorkshire institution that owns and operates three iconic British brands: Yorkshire Tea, Bettys Café Tea Rooms, and Taylors of Harrogate tea and coffee. Founded in 1919, the group remains a private, independent business headquartered in Harrogate.
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Carrs Pasties Limited
1938
Carrs Pasties is a third-generation, family-run bakery based in Bolton, Greater Manchester, that has been producing traditional British pasties and savoury snacks since 1938. Known as a local institution, they are particularly famous for their Meat and Potato Pasty, which follows a recipe originally created by the founders' grandmother.
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