⚲ Hampshire, England • Est. 1995

Summerdown

Pure English mint, from soil to still.

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FOUNDER

Sir Michael Colman & Ian Margetts

ESTABLISHED

1995

LOCATION

Basingstoke, Hampshire

CATEGORY

Chocolate

 

About Summerdown

 

Summerdown is one of Britain’s most distinctive confectionery makers. From its family-run estate in Hampshire, the team grows, harvests and distils its own rare Black Mitcham peppermint—capturing a freshness and intensity that simply can’t be replicated.

That estate-grown mint is transformed into elegant chocolates, buttery mint creams and aromatic teas, all crafted with exceptional attention to quality and provenance. Beautifully presented and unmistakably British, Summerdown is a celebration of traditional craftsmanship, natural ingredients and timeless gifting.

 
 

Made in Hampshire, England

 

Stretching from the South Downs to the New Forest, Hampshire is a county shaped by agriculture, woodland and wide open landscapes. Generations of farmers, growers and independent producers have worked with its fertile soils and gentle climate to create products rooted in quality rather than scale.

It’s a place where heritage and innovation sit comfortably together—exactly the kind of environment where independent makers like Summerdown continue to thrive.

 

"From field to flavour, Summerdown grows, distils, and crafts everything on their Hampshire farm — turning heritage peppermint into beautifully British chocolate, tea, and home fragrance."

– Sir Michael Colman & Ian Margetts

Meet the people behind Summerdown

Nestled in the rolling Hampshire countryside, Summerdown is a family-run estate reimagining what British mint can be.

More than 25 years ago, the family rediscovered Black Mitcham peppermint — a long-forgotten heritage variety — and set out to restore it to its former glory. Today, they grow over 100 acres of mint each summer, distilling its oil on-site to create chocolates, teas, candles, and bodycare that capture the freshness of an English field in full bloom.

From soil to still to shelf, Summerdown is a rare example of true single-estate craftsmanship.

The craft of Chocolate

 

Britain’s independent chocolatiers are redefining what great chocolate can be. By pairing exceptional cocoa with thoughtfully sourced local ingredients, they’re creating bars, truffles and confections that celebrate craftsmanship over mass production.

From bean-to-bar specialists to makers like Summerdown, who pair their own peppermint with fine dark chocolate, every product tells a story worth discovering.

 
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SENSE OF PLACE
Made in Hampshire
Rolling downland, ancient woodlands and family farms that have quietly shaped British craftsmanship for generations.

Summerdown – Peppermint Truffles

Signature product

Summerdown – Peppermint Truffles

Silky dark chocolate with a cool, refreshing heart.

Summerdown’s Peppermint Truffles are pure indulgence — crafted on their Hampshire farm using their signature single-estate Black Mitcham peppermint.

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VALUES & SUSTAINABILITY

Grown with patience. Made with care.

Summerdown believes exceptional products begin with exceptional farming. Everything starts on the family’s Hampshire farm, where rare Black Mitcham peppermint is grown, harvested and distilled on-site, giving the team complete control over quality while reducing unnecessary transport.

By reviving a heritage peppermint variety once almost lost in Britain, Summerdown is preserving both agricultural knowledge and biodiversity. Their long-term approach to farming prioritises healthy soils, responsible stewardship of the land and producing ingredients that reflect their place of origin. It’s a philosophy rooted in patience, care and a belief that doing things properly always takes time.

THE LOCAL EDITORIAL

Why we love Summerdown

We love Summerdown because it embodies what British quality really means: understated excellence.

Everything about their work feels calm, considered, and connected — from the way they nurture their mint fields to the way they design their timeless packaging. It’s local farming elevated to an art form, and it makes every bar, cream, or candle feel like a moment of escape.

Discover the people behind Britain’s best products.

CORNWALL
COTSWOLDS
KENNET & AVON CANAL
NORFOLK
SOMERSET
HAMPSHIRE

We don’t feature everything. Only the makers we genuinely believe in. Every producer is chosen for exceptional craftsmanship, thoughtful sourcing and a true connection to place—so you can discover Britain’s best with confidence.

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