Flowers. Chocolate. Wine. What more does anyone really need? Cave, situated along Bermondsey's high…read morestreet, peddles blooms, bottles and bars inside a simple, sweet storefront that you can't help but want to browse. Love the concept and were it in my neighb, I'd likely be a regular. Definitely worth a nosey whilst in Bermondsey.

Amazing shop that has everything from flowers, wine and chocolates…read moreHandmade cards and candles that smell amazing.

Cool little shop in the Waterloo station, great choices, friendly staff, fabulous chocolate.read more

Great place to grab some luxury treats whilst in transit!…read more If you are lucky, they will offer you a taster chocolate just for entering to take a look. Staff a always super friendly. Selection of their classics both alcoholic and non. Seasonal additions at Easter, Christmas, etc. You will never want a Cadburys bar again after eating a choc from here.

On my way from work to a friend's house for book club and dinner, it was my responsibility to bring…read morethe dessert. But with a convenient bus going directly from Bank to just around the corner from her house, I was a frantic mess searching for a basic shop in which to buy some sweets. Luckily, I didn't find a convenience store (let's think about the location here) -- I happened upon Paul A. Young and was in choc heaven. It's a wonder that the place was still open, considering the area -- shops and cafes usually close at 5 or earlier when you're surrounded by office buildings. I can guarantee I was the only customer that day, which meant I got wonderful personal treatment from the shopkeeper. First of all, I want to bottle the smell of the shop's interior and sell it for millions. I could spend hours in there just sniffing. The kind man behind the counter was very helpful in pointing out EVERYTHING in the shop that was dairy-free. Because he was so nice, I ignored the prices and bought 4 dark chocolate mice, a small box of ferrero rocher style chocolate clusters, and a small box of mint chocolate slices. All wrapped up in some tissue paper in a beautiful carrier bag, and I was on my way. And I have to say, the girls were impressed with my dessert choice. I'll definitely be going back to Paul's again.

Get the Aztec hot chocolate! It's amazing, pure decadent chocolate that just coats your tongue and…read moresends bolts of pleasure straight to your brain. You can add various spices to it to customise it for your tastes, but overall it will satisfy even the most demanding of chocolate cravings. I first went to this place to find an appetiser for the "dessert as dinner" concept for a first date. I had heard rumors of delicious chocolate mice and had to see these for myself. I can confirm the rumours, they are delicious and well worth the hunt. I was grinning like the Cheshire cat as I walked away carrying my prize. The shop is small but stacked with chocolate in all conceivable forms and flavourings. The smell is overwhelming and breathing deeply can be enough to hit your chocolate limit.

Chocolate Week ended with one of the most looked forward event: Chocolate Unwrapped…read more With producers and exhibitors coming from all over the world,if you're a self-confessed chocoholic or even just mildly so, you probably had this marked in your calendar and counting down the days, I know my friend did. After attending in 2010, she has been talking about it quite regularly throughout the year. So this year, I looked forward and prepared myself for loads of chocolate tastings and experiences. Chocolate Unwrapped did not disappoint. I left feeling overloaded with chocolate in both my tummy and shopping alike. Here are some highlights on the day I went. The Chocolatier A sign greets you that says no cream, eggs, butter or gelatine used. None of those in a chocolate? I had to check out the stall and owner AneeshPopat was there. Aneesh started this business about four months ago and looking at the wide array of flavours available, it was quite impressive. I got a taste test and clean and sharp came to mind. One to consider for the dairy intolerants or dieters as enthusiastically mentioned by Aneesh, "they have less calories than the standard ones!" With the sheer array of flavours available, I couldn't help myself and bought several. Charbonnel et Walker One of only two to have the Royal Warrant as chocolate manufacturers to Her Majesty The Queen, that is endorsement indeed! On display were the chocolate truffles and the pink truffles. I tried both and to my surprise I actually prefer the pink Marc de Champagne Truffles. Oialla I was excitedly pulled to Oialla by my friend as she was there last year when he gave a talk.Oialla chocolates are made using only two ingredients ( bean and organic brazilian raw cane sugar) to let the taste of the cocoa beans speak for itself.I tasted the bean followed by the chocolate and was taken by surprise. The bean did not have the distinct bitterness that it is usually associated With. Biting and savouring the chocolate, it tasted of the bean. Akesson's I have to mention about Akesson's. I met Bertil Akesson at the Pod to Providores Dinner and he was one of the exhibitors at Chocolate Unwrapped. After trying a whole load of what he has, my heart and palate was sold by the 'Milk Chocolate + Fleur De Sel' which is made from coconut blossom sugar. This is now my favourite salted caramel chocolate. BenoitNihant Finally, my last stop was back at Benoit Nihant where I spoke to his lovely wife Anne. I was really intrigue by the round and ball shaped coloured chocolate with flavours like Yuzu? I am a HUGE fan of Yuzu. The little piece of paper on the side described it as an explosion of flavour. Anne was nice enough to let me try some and that burst of sharp and tangy Yuzu on your palate was unexpected but good. It was slightly surprising to find a Belgium chocolatier who uses non traditional flavours and incorporating it well too. I loved it and left with a box to savour at home. The day ended with the Cake Off and there were a whole lot of chocolate cakes on display. I tried a piece of the winning cake and thoroughly enjoyed it. Chocolate Unwrapped is such a great day out for families and general alike, you also get to learnt about the stories and varieties of chocolates out there. I'm already looking forward to 2012. Just come prepared to be overloaded with chocolate both there and with the goodies you bring home.

This place has improved immeasurably over the past year. Coffee is now consistently good, and you…read morestill get a free chocolate! The store has now had the same staff for some time and all are extremely friendly and smiley, even remembering my usual white americano. I would now happily recommend this place for either a take away coffee, or to sit in and enjoy.

They give you a free chocolate with your coffee. How awesome is that?…read more The coffee is fine- I mean they're not innovators in the field of espresso-based drinks or anything, but for coffee dullards (I always have one of two things) like me, they do the job. And then they give you some chocolate. Just one piece, but it's good, That's perfect. I am always hankering something sweet at lunchtime but just want a taste. So then I don't end up troughing a whole Kit-Kat. If this credit-crunch takes away my free chocolate.......(shake fist)

Considering the quality and quantity of British designers and makers available nowadays, the…read moreselection of goods available at this imaginatively named shop strikes me as a bit halfhearted. It feels more like an upmarket tourist souvenir shop than a champion of arts and crafts. Apparently everything except the jewellery is made from recycled materials, so this is the common threat. The back of the shop offers a wide range of greeting cards, and I liked the mosaic mirrors, but overall the appeal was a bit too kitsch for my liking.

Another shop selling British local designers. It's quite touristy as it's very near London Bridge…read moreand the Fashion and Textile Museum. Most of the items are made from recycled material which is a plus. However there isn't much difference between this shop and the many similar local British designers selling eco friendly items.

This is why Bermonsey is known as buscuit town…read more James Peek and George Hender Frean founded the company at Dockhead in 1857. Nine years later they moved to Clements Road where the factory remained until 1989. Built in 1866, Peek Frean and Co's biscuit factory gave Bermondsey the nickname 'Biscuit Town' for popular creations that included the bourbon and the Garibaldi. It employed generations of local residents. A Southwark resident who voted for a blue plaque, said: Peek Freans was on my way to school - each morning, walking along Drummond Road, it would be a guessing game. What was being made today? Sweet or savoury? In summer the doors of the factory would be open and you could see the people in white aprons packing the biscuits. The sight, the sound and the smell, it was Bermondsey! The Peek Frean and Co biscuit factory provided Bermondsey and Rotherhithe with a major source of employment until it closed in 1989 and for decades the area was known as Biscuit Town. James Peek and George Hender Frean built the factory in 1866 and the Franco-Prussian war of 1870 brought the company to prominence, when ten million fine navy biscuits were ordered for the troops. Celebrated lines invented by Peek Freans include the Garibaldi (1861), Marie (1875), Chocolate Table (the first chocolate coated biscuit in 1899) and the Bourbon (1910). With the cocktail age came Cheeselets and Twiglets in the 1930s. The company pioneered the supply of medical, dental and optical services to their staff as well as founding clubs ranging from athletics and cricket to music and drama. Staff magazines including The Biscuit Box and PF Assorted also brought together a workforce which numbered 4,000 by the 1940s. Peek Freans biscuits can still be purchased in the United States and Canada Odd fact: The Peek Frean factory in Toronto is located in Bermondsey Road. They also made Queen Elizabeth II's almost two-metre tall (six feet) wedding cake. It's also the factory that invented the Twiglet!

Its good to read positive things about Peek Freans. My great, great grandfather (John), great…read moregrandfather (Arthur) Grandfather (Philip) and Father (Richard) as did I (Chris) worked at Peek Freans and I can still imagine I can smell the Ginger nuts every time, I come in on the train to London Bridge. Happy memories, Chris Carr