There is a good reason to spend time in St Marychurch rather than simply passing through.
Fore Street and the roads around it are full of independent places where people can meet, eat, pick up something for home or just have a proper break from the day. For residents, that is part of everyday life. For visitors, it is one of the things that can turn a short stop into a much better day out.
This is the first in an occasional series looking at the food and drink businesses that help give St Marychurch its character. It is not a ranking and it is certainly not a complete list — just a chance to shine a light on a few of the places that are worth knowing about.
Big Bakes Bakery: a destination in its own right
At 17 Fore Street, Big Bakes Bakery is one of the village’s real success stories.
Opened in 2010, Big Bakes has grown from a local bakery into a business with a following far beyond St Marychurch. More than 43,000 people follow its Facebook page, and it is easy to understand why people travel in especially to call there.
The focus is on handmade bakes: cakes, brownies, biscuits and sweet treats, with something different regularly appearing in the counter. It has the kind of loyal following that brings people into the village — not just people already walking past the door.
That matters. A shop like Big Bakes gives visitors a reason to explore Fore Street, look around the other independents and see that St Marychurch has far more to offer than they might first expect.
Chilly’s Sandwich Bar: lunch made local
For a freshly made lunch, Chilly’s Sandwich Bar is another useful local stop.
A good sandwich shop is one of those simple things that helps a village work: somewhere to pick up a baguette, sandwich or quick lunch while shopping, working locally or taking a break from the day. Chilly’s has built a loyal local following and is part of the everyday food offer in St Marychurch.
It is also a reminder that supporting local does not need to be a grand gesture. Sometimes it is as simple as choosing a local lunch rather than driving elsewhere.
The Coffee House: a Fore Street favourite
At 13 Fore Street, The Coffee House is a well-established part of the village.
Its own description calls it busy and vibrant, serving home-cooked meals in the heart of St Marychurch. It is the sort of place that works equally well for a coffee and something sweet, a relaxed lunch, or a catch-up with someone you have not seen for a while.
The café sits right among the shops, making it an easy place to build into a trip around the village. Have a look around, call in for lunch or a cuppa, then carry on exploring.
The Queen Elizabeth Café: a familiar village stop
Further along Fore Street is The Queen Elizabeth Café, another familiar face in the local food scene.
With dine-in, outdoor seating and collection available, it gives people a flexible place to stop — whether they want to sit down for a while, enjoy a drink outside or take something away.
Places like this are important because they make the high street feel lived in. They create a place to pause, meet people and spend time, rather than simply treating the village as somewhere to rush through.
Driftwood Café: right in the middle of the village
At 55 Fore Street, Driftwood Café is another central St Marychurch option, with indoor and outdoor seating.
It is ideally placed for anyone already in the village, whether they are visiting the shops, meeting friends or spending time in the area. A café does more than provide food and drink: it gives people somewhere to sit, talk and be part of the place.
That is particularly valuable in a village centre. A strong mix of independent cafés, shops and services makes a real difference to whether people choose to stay local.
A new chapter at The Bay Tree Café
On Babbacombe Road, The Bay Tree Café – 2026 is beginning a new chapter under local family ownership.
The café has recently had a refresh, including redecorating, a new floor and new seating. It is encouraging to see a local business being given a fresh start, and we look forward to seeing it settle into the St Marychurch food scene.
The Bay Tree is also a reminder that the village offer is not confined to one stretch of Fore Street. There are good reasons to look beyond the obvious route and discover the businesses around it.
Garden Retreat: a friendly café in Foxlands Walk
At 1 Foxlands Walk, Garden Retreat is a friendly local café serving breakfast, lunch, scones, cakes, teas and coffees. Quiet dogs are welcome too. Its new opening hours are Wednesday to Saturday, 9am–2pm — another good reason to explore beyond Fore Street when you are in St Marychurch.
Find Garden Retreat on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gardenretreatsm
Keep St Marychurch on the map
Every coffee, lunch, cake or treat bought locally helps keep these places here. It supports the people behind the counter, gives the village a livelier centre and gives visitors more reasons to return.
If you have friends or family coming to the area, tell them to allow time for St Marychurch. Come in for Big Bakes, stop for lunch, have a coffee, look around the independent shops and see what the village has to offer.
And please share this feature with someone who might enjoy a visit — especially someone who is not on social media.
Find the businesses
- Big Bakes Bakery
- Chilly’s Sandwich Bar
- The Coffee House
- The Queen Elizabeth Café
- Driftwood Café
- The Bay Tree Café – 2026
- Garden Retreat – St Marychurch
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