The Great British Bake Off, the ultimate baking battle where passionate amateur bakers compete to be crowned the UK’s Best Amateur Baker returns tonight Tuesday 22 September at 8pm on Channel 4, and this year there’s a delicious new twist with Nigella Lawson joining the judging panel.

Nigella fans will be tuning in to watch the UK’s ultimate domestic goddess cast her eye over cakes, buns, biscuits, showstoppers and master bakes alongside stalwart Paul Hollywood, plus the ever‑joyful duo Alison Hammond and Noel Fielding. Early previews suggest Nigella brings the perfect kind of warmth, wit and smouldering looks.

And Henley gets its own slice of Nigella magic too. She’s opening this year’s Henley Literary Festival on Friday October 2nd where we’re certain the audience will sneak in a few cheeky questions about soggy bottoms, perfect brownies and Bake Off glamour.

With flour flying in the tent and books flying off the shelves, there are plenty of fun crossovers between Bake Off and Henley Lit Fest, so we’ve rounded up some brilliant (and delightfully quirky) baking buys to get you inspired.

First things first head straight to Bell Bookshop on Bell Street where you’ll find a fantastic selection of baking books. They have copies of Nigella’s How to be a Domestic Goddess book and the Gower Cottage The Brownie Book, plus many more brilliant titles for bakers of all levels. Gower Cottage are sponsors of the Henley Literary Festival and will once again have their pop‑up in Market Place during the festival — the perfect chance to try their famously scrummy brownies.

Talking of brownies — if you’re whipping up a batch, bypass the supermarket and head straight to Henley’s favourite chocolate shop, Gorvett & Stone. Their Chocolate Couverture Buttons are a game‑changer: silky, glossy, melt‑perfect chocolate made for baking, confectionery and all manner of kitchen mischief (or just for scoffing straight from the bag). They come in milk, dark, white and gold — yes, gold chocolate. Who knew?

If your bakes are calling for something a little more refined, a floral flourish never goes amiss. The Henley Florist has beautiful stems and seasonal blooms that elevate cakes and cupcakes.

And we’re not leaving the little ones out. Baking is a brilliant introduction to creativity and delicious rewards. We love this wooden cake in Vinegar Hill in Duke Street and the absolutely adorable Maliag Mice in Asquiths Bearpawium in Hart Street. Be prepared to be smitten with these little fellas and all their playsets, there is aways a fabulous display.

Lastly if you’re not into baking and more into eating, enjoy all the joy of home baking without lifting a whisk with something that looks homemade, taste homemade and nobody needs to know you didn’t make it yourself, like this tray bake School Cake from Warings Bakery at the bottom of Greys Road.

With Bake Off returning and Nigella soon taking to the Henley Literary Festival stage and from independents stocking the best baking buys to festival partners serving up tasty treats, the Bake Off spirit feels right at home here in Henley.