We were recently invited to try The Big Bakes in London – and if you have no idea what that is, let me explain.
It’s a competitive baking experience where you’re given a set time limit to create a showstopping bake. At the end, your creation is judged and one team wins. Yes, it’s often compared to The Great British Bake Off, although I’ll admit I’ve never personally watched it myself.
If you follow us, you’ll know I am fully on board with baking outside the house. The mess at home honestly stresses me out, so any experience where someone else handles the clean-up? I’m in.
Here’s everything you need to know before booking.
Where Is The Big Bakes London?
The Big Bakes has locations in:
- London
- Birmingham
- Manchester
- Liverpool
As Londoners, we chose the South London venue in Tooting because it’s much closer to home than the East London location.
Address:
38 Tooting High Street, London, SW17 0RG
(You walk through The Castle Pub to the rear garden.)
Nearest station: Tooting Broadway (Northern Line) – just a short walk away.
Parking Information
Parking in Tooting is not cheap, so factor that into your plans if you’re driving.
I parked on Selkirk Road using the RingGo app. Just under two hours cost me £7.72, and it was only a short walk to the venue.
How Much Does The Big Bakes Cost?
We were invited to attend, but if we had paid ourselves it would have cost:
£79.98 for one adult and one child (90-minute experience).
Considering:
• All ingredients are provided
• Aprons are included
• You get your own baking station
• No washing up afterwards
• 90 minutes of structured fun
I actually think it’s reasonably priced for London.
Compared to other baking experiences we’ve done in the city (for example at The Langham, which we absolutely loved but was significantly pricier), this sits on the more affordable side.
What Is The Experience Actually Like?
The experience is fast-paced and energetic.
You’re given instructions to follow independently rather than being shown step-by-step and copying along. If you’re someone who occasionally struggles with written instructions (like me), you might feel slightly overwhelmed at times.
That said, staff are:
- Friendly Helpful
- On hand if you get stuck
- Brilliant at helping keep your station tidy
Everyone has their own baking station, which I loved. No sharing equipment, no chaos, just your own space to focus.
The Time Pressure
Now, this is probably the biggest thing to mention.
There’s a ticking clock the entire time.
I completely understand that this is the whole concept – it’s competitive. But I won’t lie, there were moments where it felt slightly stressful trying to stay on schedule and not ruin the bake.
It’s not necessarily “rushed”, but you are very aware of time.
That being said, it’s still fun. There’s something exciting about looking around and seeing everyone else’s creations coming together.
Baking With Kids – Is It Worth It?
Absolutely.
What I love about The Big Bakes is that it works for:
- Date nights
- Friends
- Corporate events
- Parent and child experiences
My daughter really enjoyed it. It’s such a great way for kids to learn a new skill or try a new recipe without you having to deal with the flour explosion at home.
Our caterpillar cake didn’t come out looking award-winning… but it tasted good, and that’s what matters.
We didn’t win (the winners received rose-gold cake servers – that triangular tool you use to lift slices after cutting), but it was still fun being part of the judging process.
Final Thoughts: Is The Big Bakes London Worth Booking?
Overall, yes.
It’s:
- Different Interactive
- Mess-free (for you)
- A fun 90-minute activity
- Suitable for adults and children
Would we do it again? Definitely.
If you’re looking for something a bit different to do in London during the next school holidays, this is a great option.
Head to The Big Bakes website to see what theme is currently running – they rotate recipes throughout the year.
