If you’ve spent any amount of time down on Brighton’s pebble beach, you’ll have certainly seen (or tasted) the famous Brighton rock candy. This classic British treat is a nostalgic reminder of childhood holidays by the sea and has been a staple for over 100 years. But what actually is Brighton rock candy and how did it become so popular?
The Origins of Brighton Rock Candy
Rock candy, often known by its place of origin, like Blackpool rock or Brighton rock, is a hard, stick-shaped boiled sugar confectionery. Traditionally flavoured with peppermint or spearmint, it’s a must have souvenir from any British seaside town. The concept of rock candy dates back to the 19th century when ‘Fair Rock’ was sold at fairgrounds. The modern version, complete with colourful stripes and embedded letters, is said to have been popularised by Ben Bullock, an ex-miner from Burnley, in 1887.
Bullock started producing brightly coloured, lettered candy sticks at his Yorkshire-based sweet factory. His first batch, with “Blackpool Rock” running through it, was a hit and set the standard for the rock candy we know today. Another story credits a Victorian character named ‘Dynamite Dick’ from Morecambe or Blackpool, who added the lettering to fair rock to make it his own.
What is Brighton Rock Candy?
A stick of Brighton rock is about 25 cm long and usually has the word ‘Brighton’ running through it. The text is cleverly crafted so that it is visible from both ends, no matter how small you slice the rock candy. Brighton Rock candy is a proper British treat. Typically found in seafront gift shops and on the pier. The flavour and texture of Brighton rock varies, with all sorts of fruit flavours, mint and many more. Though, it’s the nostalgic aspect and iconic appearance that makes the treat so popular with tourists.
Not to be confused with ‘Rock Candy’ or ‘Sugar Candy’
In contrast to the traditional British rock candy sticks that can be found at the seaside, just ‘Rock Candy’ or ‘Sugar Candy’ can instead refer to crystallised sugar confections found in other parts of the world. This tradition goes way further back and is said to have been dated all the way back to the 9th century in India and in Iran. In India this is known as ‘Misri‘ (or Mishri) in India which refers to crystalised sugar lumps. They are often associated with drinking tea, making sweet bread and it is suggested that it contains medicinal properties.
Iranian rock candy (aka Persian rock candy) is called ‘Nabat‘ and it is also associated with tea, or ‘Nabati chai’. A popular variation is saffron flavoured rock candy which has a distinctive golden colour. It is also used in wider cooking and baking.
As you can see, these cultural variations of rock candy are quite different from the rock sticks we see in Brighton. However, chemically, they are more similar than they may appear!
How is Brighton Rock Candy Made?
Creating rock candy is an art that hasn’t changed much over the years. It starts with boiling sugar and glucose to 300 degrees centigrade, then pouring the mixture onto a cooling table. This mix is pulled and separated into smaller sections. The inner core is aerated and flavoured, traditionally with mint or fruit, though today’s flavours are totally endless, from gin and tonic to fish and chips!
The letters inside the rock are made individually, a process that can take up to 10 years to master. These letters are lined up and stuck side by side with white filler in between. The whole slab is then rolled together before being stretched and cut into smaller sticks.
Brighton Rock – A British Tradition Under Threat
The future of this cherished candy is under threat from cheap Chinese imports. According to local manufacturers in places like Blackpool, it’s becoming more of a struggle to compete with the low prices of imported rock candy, which sells for as little as 12-15p per stick. This has led to a decline in the number of traditional rock factories, with many closing down in recent years. Rock-makers have even appealed to the government for protected status to preserve this iconic British confection. Despite these challenges, the legacy and love for rock candy endure, symbolising British seaside history.
Where to Get Traditional Brighton Rock Candy
There are a variety of gift shops in Brighton that sell rock candy, just pop-in and you’re bound to find a good selection. Though, one of the longest standing Brighton rock candy shops (for over 45 years), and my personal favourite is ‘Brighton Rock Shop’. Located right on the seafront at 55 Kings Road, BN1 1NA. This is a great shop as it’s all made in the UK, actually in their own factory in Blackpool. Meaning nothing is imported and tradition continues onward! They’re the experts and are well known for making some crazy flavours such as marshmallow and blueberry muffin flavoured!
1948 Documentary Film, Making Brighton Lettering Rock:
Source: British Pathé, Video transcript:
Narrator: How do the red letters get into a stick of seaside rock? This is the story of two words: “Brighton Rock,” and how they find their way into the heart of a favourite confection.
Here’s the original sweet in preparation at a North London factory.
This machine stretches the sweet into a rubbery mixture, giving it a smooth texture and making it pliable for easy handling.
And here’s the lettering department. Thin strips of red and white sweet stuff are cut to length and fitted together one by one so that the visible ends form the outline of a letter. Each letter is built up in this way. Brothers George and Jerry Toll, between them, have been making rock for 56 years, a skill handed down from their father who has been doing it for 48 years. Each letter is now about 2 inches high and half an inch thick. In the finished stick, it will be stretched to no more than a tenth of an inch.
All the individual letters are now assembled into a single slab. The separate lumps of sweet spelling “Brighton Rock” are now wrapped around a center of white sweet, the whole weighing about 200 weight. Assembled, it measures 3 feet 6 inches and a foot thick. Still in a soft, doughy state, it molds easily in skilled hands. Next, it’s rolled into shape like a huge Swiss roll.
All hands to the pulley as the lump is raised at one end to be stretched. Stretching is done by hand: 180 yards of succulent candy that started as a lump not much longer than a walking stick. It’s all taken about 50 minutes from boiling to the finished stick.
Now, there are 966-inch lengths of rock, and all the way through, a message spelling paradise to every kid: “Brighton Rock.”
Sources / Further reading:
Brighton Rock Shop: https://letteredrock.co.uk/
Margaret Watson, the first stick of rock was sold in Dewsbury: https://www.dewsburyreporter.co.uk/must-read/nostalgia-with-margaret-watson-the-first-stick-of-rock-was-sold-in-dewsbury-not-blackpool-4166057
About Rock Candy: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rock_(confectionery)
About Blackpool Rock Candy: https://www.attractionsblackpool.co.uk/Blackpool_Rock.htm
Video: ‘London Rock’ Making Candy Factory (1957) | British Pathé (youtube.com)
About Ben Bullock: https://www.showtownblackpool.co.uk/things-to-discover/my-little-stick-of-blackpool-rock
Research paper: Rock candy representing a message from the past: https://ora.ox.ac.uk/objects/uuid:8389e1de-f4be-4b36-8fd1-47ce3451b8da/files/m1808401b67e004bfd7bc4205c98406c2
Torquay seaside rock: https://wearesouthdevon.com/little-stick-torquay-rock/
Based in Brighton since 2023, Mitch is all about uncovering hidden gem restaurants and supporting independents over chains. With a seasoned palate developed from years of eating out, he’s your go-to for discovering the best local spots.
