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Expert chocolate makers

At Thorntons, we appreciate how much the nation loves chocolate and there’s something special about gifting or receiving a box of beautifully crafted chocolates, whether it's a simple ‘thank you’ or a celebration.

Our Story

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1911
Back in 1911

When Joseph Thornton, a travelling confectioner, opened a sweet shop in Sheffield, little did he know how popular Thorntons would become.​ Originally selling treats such as Violet Cachous and Sweet Lips, the popularity led to Norman bringing his brother, Stanley, on board. The brothers didn’t start making their own hand-made truffles and fondants until the 1920s… this is when the true craftsmanship of Thorntons began.

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1920s
The 1920s

1922 saw the start of Thorntons personalising chocolates, with the brothers hand-icing Easter eggs. Along with our delicious chocolates, our Special Toffee also appeared in the 1920s – 1925 to be precise. The recipe for this particular favourite took 50 attempts to get just right, and this same recipe is still used today, albeit with a few tweaks.

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Our first factory

Before long there was a purpose-built factory for Thorntons to produce its confectionery creations. As the business continued to expand and its popularity grew, production was moved to Derbyshire, just down the road from where it is today, and has stayed there for almost 40 years. This location saw the introduction of our Fabulous Fudge and the creation of our original Continental range.

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2015
Joining the Ferrero Group

In 2015, Thorntons became part of the Ferrero Group. This led to reimagining and remastering of some of the most popular Thorntons chocolates and also the introduction of some new creations.​

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A century of chocolate craftsmanship

We put all our love and passion into everything we do, to bring you delicious treats to gift, share and enjoy.

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Nothing but their favourites

Life’s full of moments worthy of a little celebration, and thoughtful delicious gifts can be the best gifts of all.

New Thorntons Pearls Orange Velvet

Break through the milk chocolate shell to discover a silky ganache filling, infused with real orange: perfect for giving, sharing, or enjoying as a treat

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Discover our products
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Thorntons Classic Collection
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Thorntons Continental
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Thorntons Seasonal Collection
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Thorntons Personalised Gifts
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Ferrero began its journey in the small town of Alba in Piedmont, Italy, in 1946. Today, it is one of the world’s largest sweet-packaged food companies, with over 35 iconic brands sold in more than 170 countries. The Ferrero Group brings joy to people around the world with much-loved treats and snacks, including Nutella®, Kinder®, Tic Tac® and Ferrero Rocher®. With over 47,000 employees, we are passionate about helping people celebrate life's special moments. The Ferrero Group, now in its third generation, is based on family values with a dedication to quality and excellence, heritage, and a commitment to the planet and communities in which we operate.