Ditty’s Home Bakery & Coffee Shop Castledawson

It would be a shame to pass through the thriving little village of Castledawson without stopping. Park the car on the main street in the early morning and you’ll get the wonderful aroma of fresh baking. Follow your nose and it will lead you to Ditty’s Home Bakery and Coffee Shop.

Inside, you have a choice – you can buy one of the delicious scones or pastries to take home or you can relax at one of the tables. If you do sit down, you’ll even get to read one of the newspapers that are thoughtfully left on every table. More importantly, everything you eat will be cooked in the bakery behind the shop, using local produce. There’s even a little sign on the counter telling us that the rhubarb came from a garden just up the road. Freshly baked scones, iced fancies and buns, vanilla slices, muffins – all are served by friendly local staff. Sandwiches and rolls are available at lunchtime, again, freshly made.

There’s been a bakery in the town for the best part of 50 years, originally started by Robert Ditty’s parents. Although entering the family business somewhat reluctantly back in 1974, Robert took to it with an enthusiasm that’s probably unmatched elsewhere. And he very generously shares this enthusiasm with the public. He’s a fount of knowledge on practically anything to do with food and has recently started a Food Club to pass on his pearls of wisdom. He is also involved with what he hopes will be an annual food festival every September, (he is very keen on promoting the local area) with visiting chefs, roadside stalls offering local produce, a BBQ in the courtyard of the Inn and various fringe activities.

Robert’s traditional oatcakes are very popular and they are just one of his products that are exported to some of the finest food stores in Ireland and the UK. The world’s best golfers at the 2006 Ryder Cup also enjoyed these. He has recently introduced a smoked oatcake, with Frank Hederman smoking the oats. Also new is a Cheese oatcake, using Gubbeen cheese. The bakery behind the coffee shop specialises in Northern Ireland traditional breads – including the famous farls, cooked on a griddle.

Robert has recently bought some land for a community allotment – six people will have the opportunity to work the land. Potatoes will be planted the first year; after that, Robert hopes each of the six will produce a different product for use by the various local food businesses.

Follow Ditty's Home Bakery and Coffee Shop Castledawson on  Facebook for updates

Contact Details

To Contact a Member Directly, please click on the email or website below

44 Main Street
Castledawson
Co Derry
BT45 8AB
+44 (0) 28 79468243
Email: dittysbakery@tiscali.co.uk
Web: www.dittysbakery.com

 

Print this page »

Map and Directions »

 

Facilities