Darvell and Sons philosophy

Our philosophy is as simple as the recipes that have been handed down through generations. We always use the finest flours, salt and the best ingredients available because we believe that excellent bread really does rely upon the finest ingredients and time-honoured methods of production.

We value honesty and simplicity. All of our breads are baked to be eaten fresh and everything that we make is hand crafted, hand decorated and baked on site.

Six days a week our team of bakers work through the night so that our fleet of vans can leave the bakery in Chesham long before the birds have started tweeting. We reliably deliver to hotels, schools, deli’s, cafes and pubs all over Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire. Our High Street shop sells cakes, pastries and bread baked fresh from the oven. We make delicious sandwiches to order and offer a hot take away lunch option every day, from French onion soup to fiery chili con carne.

We aim to always provide our customers with proper, honest bread and the very best cakes and treats.

175 years ago in 1838 William and Sarah Darvell established the origins of the business at 14 Church Street, Chesham. The little shop prospered and in due time their son George entered the business and succeeded to control. In 1906 he opened a branch shop at 28 High Street, Chesham.

Within five years the main trading centre of Chesham had become concentrated in the High Street and as a consequence, in 1911 it was decided to close the Church Street premises and enlarge those in High Street. This was effected by moving to No.30 next door so that a bakery could be erected at the rear. These same premises are still in use today but greatly modernised and improved.

In 1913 George passed control of the business into the capable hands of his son Joseph who oversaw the opening of a branch shop in Amersham in 1916.

In 1919 Joseph had the shop frontage modernised, which at the time represented the very latest in shop front design.