Strudels and stritsels and pastries, oh my!…read more When I walk into Bachmans Patisserie, I always revert back to being 5, when being given a sweet treat was a pleasure unrivaled by anything. Bachmans is quietly nestled in a row of shops which are situated along a busy road - you might not give it a second thought when you wizz past, but if I told you that this unassuming little place was voted Best Patisserie in the UK (2007) - would you stop the car then? This is not your bog standard bakery, there are 5 full time pastry chefs on the premises working on sweet concoctions. Being half Austrian, this is the only place that I buy Stritsel (it's a sweet brioche bread stuffed with raisins and currents). The owners are Swiss so they know how to make it properly. The cakes and pastries are almost too beautiful to eat, but don't let that stop you from tucking in. They also make bespoke cakes for weddings and parties - although if I were to get married and got the cake from here, I would be thinking less "I do", and more "When do I get to eat the cake?"

Ordered a bespoke cake for the local cancer unit, and was served by a charming and helpful young…read morelady at Bachmann's. The cake was a lovely chocolate one, and so heavy! Comments from the cake's recipients state it was one of the best they'd tasted.

I've walked pass this shop many times admiring the cakes and desserts in the shop window but never…read morehad the time to go inside, until today. As I walked in I was ushered to a table straight away and had a look at the menu which to my surprise there was a breakfast and lunch menu which all seemed overpriced but I thought I would give them the benefit if the doubt with the ingredient that have been used. So I ordered the mushroom and cheese crossaint with a vanilla ice cream milkshake which I was informed the ice cream was homemade and the vanilla seeds were visible. The food arrived first and looked delicious but tasted very bland with the side salad. When the milkshake arrived it was in a small glass and was mainly foam and no visible vanilla seeds to be seen. So when approaching the manager about this she was unapologetic and brought the icecream over to show there is no seeds in the icecream. So if you want to be over charged ie my bill came to £9, then come here!

Do not waste your money or time going to this coffee shop! The cakes in the window look divine but…read moreare so over priced for what they are and how they actually taste. The cafe decor is nice and clean. The staff are incompetent bordering on rude, they are not interested in you or for offering a service, leave a tip I don't think so. I have been on 2 occasions trying to give them the benefit of the doubt but not again, this boat has sailed.

This is a fantastic patisserie with a great selection of cakes and baklava. We ordered a wedding…read moreanniversary cake for 70 people from them at short notice and the result was a beautiful cake with a light, fluffy sponge and whipped cream frosting. Everyone loved the cake and anyone who could get a second helping did - it disappeared very quickly! Amir was very helpful and flexible when we ordered and advised on timings for pick-up etc., to ensure the cake was perfect when it came to serve it. Whenever we're in Surbiton / Tolworth we drop by and treat ourselves to cake and baklava, and we're never disappointed!

Been and bought an African violet for a present. Well displayed and worth the visit.read more

Now renamed Craddocks Bakery, it's never quite hit the mark. Apart from two price increases since…read morethe change of management, the quality of the produce isn't always up to the high standard of the old management. The Sausage rolls are more expensive and seem to be lower quality, as are the sandwiches. Some of the pastries are ok but they don't justify the new prices. Such a shame.

If the main road between Leatherhead and Epsom is busy, Craddocks Avenue is a good alternative…read moreroute. This will take you past a parade of shops near Ashtead train station and this bakery is located there. They open early and I sometimes stop off to buy a little snack on my way in to work. If the fresh doughnuts or apple turnovers are ready, then the staff may get a little present! Their prices are better than the bakers on the High Street. They also offer a fresh sandwich service but I've not tried that yet

Great bakery - open really early (I've hit it at 0630 and been served with a 'sleepy' smile. Get…read morethere before 1500hrs - they really start running out of fresh bread by then. Great for lunch too - pizza, fresh sandwiches. ...there Saturday morning sausage rolls are pretty great too.