Just like us, sweets have a vast history, from ancient civilisations using honey to create candied fruit and flowers to Victorian sweets to Terry's Chocolate Orange being founded in York; there is so much to learn about the many classic sweets we know and love!
Have you ever wondered where your childhood sweets originate from? Many iconic sweets were born in the UK...You never know, some of the UK's favourite sweet creations may have been created closer to home than you may think.
Join us on our journey to explore where confectionery history and find out where classic sweets were born!
Historic Town: Pontefract Cakes
In West Yorkshire, there's a historic town called Pontefract: it is known as the birthplace of the Pontefract Cake - an iconic aniseed-flavoured chew, and each one has the image of Pontefract castle on the front.
They are soft black discs made from liquorice root, a plant grown since the Middle Ages. When they were first made, they would have been used for medicinal purposes rather than as sweet treats.
The story goes that George Dunhill, a local apothecary, was the first to sweeten the bitter root, creating what we now know as Pontefract Cakes. The Liquorice Root originally became well-known for having medicinal properties.
Pontefract's significance in sweet production even includes hosting the annual Liquorice Festival to this present day.
York
York is known for many things, like supposedly being the most haunted city in the UK; another thing it's famous for is chocolate. From Kit Kats, to Smarties and Chocolate Oranges - York is intertwined in the history of the British sweet industry.
York was a hub of Quaker chocolate makers during the Victorian era. Rowntree’s created Kit Kat in 1935 and Fruit Pastilles in 1881, while Terry’s released the Chocolate Orange in 1932.
Even today, you can visit many tourist attractions surrounding chocolate, including the York Chocolate Story Museum!
Parkin
A sweet treat also associated with Yorkshire is the Parkin, a ginger cake made with oatmeal, treacle, ginger, and butter.
The earliest known versions of Parkin date back to at least the 18th century, and likely evolved from earlier oat-based gingerbread recipes.
It was traditionally baked for Bonfire Night (November 5th); especially in working-class communities in Leeds, Bradford, Sheffield, and surrounding areas.
Sheffield
Liquorice Allsorts
In 1899, Bassett's launched Liquorice Allsorts, a traditional British sweet that is still a firm favourite for many. Each Allsorts ‘layer’ combines a thick layer of soft liquorice with sugar, gelatine, coconut, fruit-flavour jellies or fondants, creating a playful ribbon-and-block assortment.
Allsorts quickly became one of Britain’s most iconic sweets, featured in post-war ration-book designs and still a staple in traditional sweet shops across the UK.
Jelly Babies
Dating back to 1864, an Austrian confectioner at Fryers of Lancashire invented 'unclaimed babies'. This was later revived in 1918 by Basset's of Sheffield, but they were called 'Peace Babies' to mark the end of World War 1. Later, the name was changed to Jelly Babies.
Today, this delicious sweet can still be found on our shelves and is a firm favourite for both the younger generations and the older.
Kendal, Cumbria
In 1869, Joseph Wiper, a confectioner from Kendal, attempted to craft glacier mints by boiling sugar, syrup, and water on a stove overnight. By the morning, he has created a creamy, solid slab. He added peppermint oil, cut it into bars, and created the Kendall Mint cake.
He began selling it from Stricklandgate, soon marketing it as both a treat and an energy snack. On polar and mountain expeditions, this was known as the first "energy bar".
Cornwall
Cornwall’s sunny climate and dairy traditions gave rise to clotted cream fudge, a rich, melt-in-the-mouth treat sold in seaside towns from the early 20th century.
Meanwhile, Cornish Fairings - spiced ginger biscuits originally handed out at Victorian fairs - remain a beloved teatime snack and perfect gift for visiting friends and family.
Blackpool
No beach holiday was complete without a stick of Blackpool Rock. First boiled in the late 1800s, its iconic pastel stripes and the town’s name running through the centre make it the ultimate British souvenir. The secret to its lasting appeal? A simple recipe of sugar, glucose syrup, and water, stretched and twisted by hand until glossy and firm.
Scotland
North of the border, Scots have a penchant for ultra-sweet treats. Tablet, a crumbly, buttery fudge introduced in the mid-19th century, and Edinburgh Rock, a soft, pastel-coloured fondant, were sold as luxury “dainties” in upscale Glasgow and Edinburgh tearooms. Their delicate textures set them apart from sturdier English boiled sweets.
Stoke-on-Trent
Founded in 1894, Walker’s Nonsuch perfected the art of hard-boiled toffee, combining intense caramel flavour with a satisfyingly crunchy bite. Still made in Staffordshire using traditional copper pans, their toffee paved the way for countless chewy variations that followed.
Slough: Opal Fruits (Starburst)
In 1960, Mars UK began producing Opal Fruits in its Slough factory. These vibrant, fruit-flavoured chews - lemon, lime, orange, and strawberry- were a revelation in concentrated sweetness. Rebranded as Starburst in the 1990s, they retain the original recipe that made Opal Fruits a lunchtime favourite.
London: Love Hearts
East London’s Swizzels Matlow launched Love Hearts in 1954, those little pastel discs embossed with messages like “Be Mine” and “Sweet Talk.” Their playful slogans and chalky texture have made them a Valentine’s Day staple and a charming reminder of childhood innocence.