- Established
- 1995
- People
- Sir Michael Colman & Ian Margetts
- Based in
- Basingstoke, Hampshire
- Craft
- Peppermint
The Local’s perspective
A Hampshire field, a peppermint flavour
Summerdown grows, harvests and distils Black Mitcham peppermint on its Hampshire estate. That distinctive ingredient runs through a range of chocolates, teas and other products: a connection between an English field and the flavour we find inside the box.
The story
Bringing Black Mitcham back
At Summerdown, every mint leaf tells a story.
For over three decades, the family-run estate in Hampshire has been quietly perfecting the art of English peppermint — growing, harvesting, and distilling their own Black Mitcham mint to create a uniquely bright, cooling flavour.
The result is a collection that celebrates true field-to-flavour craft: buttery mint creams, smooth dark chocolate, and aromatic teas, all made using mint oil distilled on-site within hours of harvest. The flavour is fresh yet mellow, rich yet pure — unmistakably Summerdown.
Beautifully packaged and naturally refined, this is British chocolate and confectionery at its best: elegant, ethical, and effortlessly giftable.
The people
The people behind the peppermint
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.
Inside the making
From mint field to still
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.
Our recommendation
A cool centre, a chocolate shell
Summerdown’s Peppermint Truffles pair chocolate with the estate’s distinctive Black Mitcham peppermint. It is the mint’s journey—from a Hampshire field through harvesting and distillation—that gives us a reason to look more closely.
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