Our best sellers
A true Family firm!
Calico Cottage began with a chance introduction, a two-day engagement, and a business launched from a flat. Thirty five years later it has grown into a thriving family business with two factories in Cambridgeshire, three generations of family involvement, and a team of extraordinary people who were never told what they cannot do. From fudge mix to hand-packed sweets to chocolate, the range has grown steadily while the values have stayed the same. Heading into its fourth decade, Calico Cottage and its younger sibling Cambridge Confectionery continue to grow, prosper and make confectionery people genuinely love.
Chocolates
Sweets & Fudge
Our selection
Product of the month
Nine of our most loved chocolate fingers, in a luxury eighteen piece gift box. A generous mix of White Chocolate Strawberry, Milk Chocolate Rocky Road, Milk Chocolate Honeycomb, Dark Chocolate Drizzle, White Chocolate Cookie, Milk Chocolate Salted Caramel, Dark Chocolate Salted Caramel, Dark Chocolate Raspberry and Milk Chocolate Drizzle, giving a balanced spread of milk, white and dark chocolate alongside some genuinely distinctive finishes. Hand finished in our Cambridgeshire kitchen, 320g of beautifully boxed chocolate with universal appeal. A generous gift for all occasions.
The beginning of something special
It all started with a London Business School project to sell fudge mix across the UK. When Nigel's lecturer introduced him to his niece Debs, they got engaged just two days later and launched the business from their flat. Nigel's father built the fudge-making system and Debs' family supported customers in the North. A true family firm from day one.
Going plastic free with sweets
Alongside their growing fudge mix business, Calico began hand packing sweets into fully plastic free packaging, a forward thinking move that reflected the values at the heart of the company.
Chocolate enters the picture
In 2014 Nigel bought a chocolate making machine on a bit of a whim and Cambridge Confectionery was born. By 2019 the business was producing over 500 tonnes of confectionerya year with more than 60 staff, and a brand new factory at Arthur Park in March, Cambridgeshire gave the team the space to keep going.
Growing into something bigger
Having run out of family to employ, Calico built an amazing team of young people, none of whom were trained to do what they do and none of whom were told what they cannot do. That combination turns out to be a recipe for the impossible. Growth continued and in 2024 a second nearby factory was purchased to keep up with demand.
A new chapter begins
The second factory has been extended and its launch coincides with the arrival of this brand new website. Recent years have been challenging for UK manufacturers, but Calico Cottageand Cambridge Confectionery head into their fourth decade stronger than ever, still family led, still independent, and still making confectionery people genuinely love.
Delish chocolate and excellent customer service! Spotted their gorgeous looking chocolate in a shop, but couldn’t confirm if it was vegetarian. Called the telephone number on the back of the pack and I was able to ask the staff and get an answer very quickly. I even got a call back to confirm which other flavours were vegetarian too! Great to see a friendly and proactive company and wish them every success.
Frahana
I just wanted to thank you for making such incredible chocolate, especially the dark mint drizzle barrel bar. It's my all time favourite, the combination of rich chocolate and refreshing mint is perfect. Thanks again for making chocolate that stands out.
Lennox
I am sending a huge thank you for the surprise chocolate that I received before Christmas. It was lovely and one I loved so much. I hope in the future that more people come forward as king for the white chocolate. Thank you for making my Christmas so special.
Sue