Big Wigs Bakery is a small and much-liked bakery and coffee shop on Poole Road in Westbourne, one of a handful of BigWigs shops scattered across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole. Locals tend to make it part of their morning routine: in for a coffee and a pastry, then out again with a loaf tucked under an arm.
What's baked here
All of it is baked on the premises: sourdough and other fresh loaves, croissants and pain au chocolat, ring and filled doughnuts, cakes like carrot cake and red velvet, and savoury items including sausage rolls and cheese toasties. For breakfast and brunch there are bacon or sausage baps and sandwiches, and gluten-free and vegan bakes sit beside the standard range. The counter changes as the day goes on, and the best pastries are usually gone early, above all at weekends.
Coffee and atmosphere
Alongside the bakes, coffee is a large part of the appeal, served in a snug, welcoming space with a few seats along the back wall. This is a compact shop rather than a full sit-down café, so a quick stop or a takeaway coffee suits it as well as a slow brunch, which is worth knowing if eating in is the plan.
Good to know
Opening hours are 08:30 to 16:00 Monday to Saturday and 08:30 to 15:00 on Sunday, but like any independent bakery it is worth confirming both hours and stock before making a special journey, particularly later in the day. Its Poole Road position in the middle of Westbourne's shopping streets makes it easy to pair with a browse around the area's independent shops.
Our food & drink guide lists more bakeries, cafés and places to eat nearby, and our things to do guide covers what else is worth doing in the area.