If you are looking for the most flavourful and purest chocolate Britain has to offer, it's the bean-to-bar makers that you need to look at next. The UK has a small but growing group of avid chocolate enthusiasts who pride themselves of crafting exceptional tasting chocolate from scratch.
These chocolate champions do everything in-house from start to finish. They ethically sourcing sustainable cocoa beans, then roast, winnow, and conch the beans into smooth molten chocolate liquor. They temper the chocolate and mould it into bars before sealing them up in their individual packaging. In their spare time, you'll often find these chocolate wizards exhibiting at local food shows around the country.
It's a labour-intensive process but all that love, care, and attention comes out in the incredible flavours these artisan chocolate makers coax out of the beans. If you've never tried craft chocolate, you'll find my latest bean-to-bar chocolate reviews here to help you find the best bar to awaken your senses to how real chocolate ought to taste.
Britain’s Best Bean-To-Bar Chocolate Makers
This list is sorted alphabetically. To find your nearest chocolate shops and brands, click here.
Personalised Chocolate Gifts at Getting Personal°
Getting Personal is the home of personalised gifts, and their range of chocolate gifts are ideal for all events and occasions. Find a range of bespoke chocolate gifts that create more impact than your average box of chocs.
A Sweet Break For Two at The Chocolate Boutique Hotel°
Enjoy a romantic night for two in Bournemouth's The Chocolate Boutique Hotel, which is a perfect base for exploring the trendy Soho Quarter. Savour delicious Belgian chocolates upon your arrival and spend the night in a chocolate-hued superior double room. There's also a tasty breakfast at the hotel included the following morning.
Jaw-Dropping Gift Boxes at Hotel Chocolat°
When you need a gift that blows all others out of the water, look no further than the huge gift boxes at Hotel Chocolat. The Large Chocolatier's Table, for instance, contains 1.5kg of quality chocolates made with more cocoa and less sugar. The Signature Chocolate Cabinet is another fabulous gift, boasting over 100 filled chocolates and Nano Slabs.
Charming and Delightful Letterbox Gifts°
Letterbox Gifts sends out a different hand-wrapped letterbox-sized gift box each month for 3 or 6 months. They fill their luxurious gift boxes with a variety of treats including chocolates, smellies and homewares.
I've excluded supermarkets and franchise stores from this list. I urge you to support your local chocolate makers as many of them are crafting superb quality chocolate treats and gifts. I've listed bean to bar chocolate makers seperately. If you are a real chocolate fan, try a chocolate bar from your local craft chocolate maker and you'll be blown away by how different it tastes compared to mass-produced chocolate. I've also listed national chocolate chains seperately, and have defined a chain as a business that has at least two stores.
Disclaimer: Distances in this calculator are approximate and are listed as the crow flies (you know, the fastest way to get to chocolate). Online shops are normally open to place orders 24/7, subject to availability. For physical shops, check store opening hours before travelling to avoid disappointment.