Heat the oven to 400°F.

Put the flour, bicarbonate of soda and salt into a mixing bowl, then stir in the buttermilk and mix to combine to a soft dough. This bread does not need, and is not improved by, kneading or over-handling.

Move the dough onto a floured work surface and shape it into a round loaf.

Move to a prepared baking tray. Cut a cross in the top of the bread, almost down to the base (but without cutting all the way through).

Bake the loaf for 30 minutes, until the base sounds hollow when tapped. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.