As this is a local store the selection of chocolates available is understandably no where nearly as…read moreextensive as in the two Thorntons stores in the city centre. The selection of pre packaged chocolates and even sweets is rather good, however unfortunately the small quantity of handmade chocolates is rather disappointing. The card selection is rather large, but can be a tad generic (all Hallmark cards). The assortment of gift wrap, tissue paper and gift bags on the other hand is rather impressive, and I particularly liked the gift boxes available which have really pretty patterns and come in a variety of sizes (some are massive)! I don't believe I've ever seen these two stores joined together before, but when you think about it, it's actually quite a clever move. After all when you forget someone's birthday, all you need to do is to dash into this place grab a box of chocolates and a card, and you're sorted! Trust me, this is definitely something to remember!

From the outside, this shop suggests that it is going to be more Thorntons than Hallmark, when in…read moreactual fact the Thorntons section is pretty small, covering just a section of one wall. However, the range of Thorntons products in stock is good and it's nicely presented. While the card section contains nothing especially different as they are all Hallmark cards, the range of cards on sale is impressive, and possibly the best arranged and easy to navigate card shop I've ever been to. There is also a huge variety of gift wrapping items. This shop sells a lot of gifts, too, from Willow Tree figures and Me to You teddies to some not at all tacky Welsh gifts. A great shop for buying presents as you can get everything in one store. And it's not just about birthdays; there is a great range of lovely gift ideas for weddings, anniversaries and new babies, too.

Now, I certainly won't say that this shop alone is worth the trip to Cowbridge, but I will…read morecertainly imply it heavily. This is a charming little shop tucked away off the main road passing through the town, so you might not immediately see it. It's easy to find though, and is very near the main parking zone. The staff in Cocoa & Co are very lovely, and clearly take a pride in their products. They have a good range of handmade chocolates and gifts, but the thing that really makes this shop something special, are the sugar-covered almonds. In all different colours, jars of them fill a wall. These are my favourite of sweets, so I was very, very excited when I first found them. But they're great for wedding favours, and Cocoa & Co specialise in making these up, if you're so inclined.

You will find Cocoa & Co down a quaint little mews off the High Street at the top end of Cowbridge…read more You can get there by turning right after Arthur John Hardware. (I had lived in Cowbridge for six months before I discovered this beautiful little mews!) Being a chocoholic this is my kind of shop, and although expensive, the treats that they have on offer are our of this world... so, essentially well worth the extra dollar! Although i have never indulged in anything but the handmade chocs, they also sell a pretty broad assortment of other sweets, that are bought in from other cottage industries and small manufacturers. The interior of the shop is like something you would expect to find in a period film about the Victorian era... it has that other-worldly charm going on about it! A real delight!

I'll never forget when my aunt jokingly told me: "Jennifer, in our family, our chocolate obsession…read moreis like alcoholism. You think it's a normal way of life and then you speak to people outside the family and realise...it's not." For me, chocolate is a major food group that sits alongside Innocent Smoothies and Diet Coke. So naturally, I had to try out X Marks Delicious on St Mary Street. First impression - X had all the charm of an airport chocolatier, but that didn't sway me. I pressed on. The shop is just a bit too contemporary for my taste - almost bordering on clinical - but their chocolates, sourced from high-quality ingredients, are actually very good, although I think Hotel Chocolat (found at nearby John Lewis) is a finer variety of chocolate. But these babies would make a fine gift for any loved one with a sweet-tooth. X Marks Delicious is definitely worth a visit, even if you're not a massive chocolate fan - it's always refreshing to sample a brand of chocolate other than your usual Cadbury or Galaxy.

This is a new little chocolate shop at the end of Royal Arcade in Cardiff Centre. It's well…read morepresented with a modern clean feeling. The chocolates on sale are good quality handmade, including all the old favourites, alongside more adventurous creations, such as chili and pepper. Although this shop does everything right, there is unfortunately a sparse feeling to their setup. The staff are friendly, but the shop is often empty; a rethink in the design might make a more welcoming shop that's tempting to go into. If a chocolate shop isn't all about the experience then it can peel back the curtain to reveal just a small brown, unhealthy snack. That being said, the chocolates are tasty, and great for gifts; but Wally's Delicatessen is just a short walk away, and has a more satisfying feel to it.

Fine Chocolates is an extremely well positioned shop on the corner of The Royal Arcade where it…read moremeets St Mary Street, allowing it a sizeable shop front on both, whilst retaining the prestigious address of The Royal Arcade. The chocolates are exquisite, but with a price tag to match, and so I have only ever bought them as gifts for other people, munching out on the less expensive, ubiquitous mass produced Belgian chocolate when I have a chocolate attack. I think that this is probably what most commonly occurs. With a selection of modern gift boxes, which are all finished off with presentation ribbons by the staff, it's clear that the gift option is a popular one. (This doesn't mean to say that it's not possible to prize the box open and snaffle a couple before you present them, somewhat apologetically, to their intended owner. And, this way you can announce with authority, as you hand the goods over, that the contents of their gift are really very good!) The shop also stocks soft drinks and a few lower cost items, like cake, that you can eat in at the tables provided. They also do great ice creams. I guess it is the sale of this kind of stuff that subsidises the chocolates, and justifies having such a large retail space, (otherwise there would be no point, and it certainly wouldn't be affordable).

The chocolates in this store are fine indeed! Think high quality, handmade, delicious little…read moretreats, plus they also do ice cream, and cakes. The reason I unfortunately can't give this store a higher star rating, is that whilst the chocolates are good (and I mean good), there is just too small a selection and not enough choice on offer. I did visit Fine Chocolates late in the afternoon, so perhaps they had already sold much of their stock. I also think it would be nice if they stocked more pre packaged boxes of chocolates as I believe they would be quite popular and would make very good gifts. I would recommend a visit to Fine Chocolates, but as it is, I believe you might be sorely disappointed.

This small chocolate shop is located in Veritys Court, a small cobbled area behind the main High…read moreStreet in Cowbridge (halfway between The Bear Hotel and Arthur John & Co). I was drawn to the shop by the gaily painted tins in the window and once inside was amazed by the cornucopia of chocolate gifts on sale. The shop sells a wide range of chocolate products, and flavoured coffee, including no added sugar chocolates and dairy and glutton free chocolates. It also provides chocolate flavours for all occasions, I particularly liked the chocolate Welsh Love Spoons, which looked far too good to eat! The owner explained to me that they can also provide a wide range of boxes for the chocolates, which can be decorated to your own requirements. This is not the place to get your quick chocolate fix, but ideal if you're due for a treat or looking for a special gift for any chocolate loving friends or relatives.

Cowbridge has a great range of small indepentant shops and because I have a sweet tooth!the best…read moreone has to be Cocoa & Co,a wonderful chocolate shop. The shop is set off the main street and is not very big,but it is jammed packed with glorious chocolate goodies. They sell a wide range of products and have plenty of choice,my favourites are the chocolate shoes and handbags which are ideal presents.Whilst some things are a bit expensive they also stock plenty of reasonably priced items. They also specialize in wedding favours,you can order mini lovespoons,rugby balls etc all made of chocolate and packaged beautifully. The staff are very helpful,so come on down to Cocoa and co for a chocolate adventure!!

This is quite an exciting bubblegum-coloured shop that sells a massive variety of traditional…read moresweets. You know, the classics that join you and your grandparents in soaring memories of childhood. I won't wax too lyrical about the types of sweets available, because I expect you all know really... but then there might be some people who don't: Rhubard & custard, aniseed balls, barley sugar, hard gums, butterscotch, truffles, jelly beans, giant gobstoppers, sherbert lemons, pear drops, treacle toffee, candy canes, toasted teacakes, bon bons, humbugs and white mice, to name a few. The staff here are lovely and prices are very reasonable for the quality of product. Worth a visit if you're passing by that way. Just don't tell you dentist.

I was somewhat surprised to find Clare'e sweet shop in Birchgrove as it's not the sort of shop one…read morewould associate with this shopping area. However why not, the owner explained that it had been open since February and was very popular with people wanting a return to more traditional shops.The shelves were stocked with jars of every conceivable sweet including my favourite of sweet and sours. They also had a small selection of hand made nougat and speciality choclates very tempting!! I liked their novely range of choclate bars with labels to cover every type of occasion/person, daughter, son, teacher, thank you, cheer up etc. The shop also stocked helium balloons which I have always loved.

This shop has me written all over it. Anyone close to me knows my sweet obsession, which makes it…read moredamn near impossible to pass by a sugar sanctuary without going in. Sweet Tooth is a fairly new sweet shop (so new, actually, that the proper sign isn't up yet) on Cowbridge Road East that sits across the road from Victoria Park. A lovely older couple sat smiling behind the counter, poised for a bit of chit chat about the weather (Cardiff was experiencing rare sunshine that day so it was worth mentioning). Sweet Tooth sells your usual array of chocolates like Cadbury et al, but also carries massive plastic containers of pick and mix sweets at a reasonable rate of 80p per 100g. Also on offer are a selection of drinks, crisps, games and toys, making it a delightful detour on your way back from nearby Victoria Park. Of course, I couldn't walk out of there empty-handed, so I traded my 17p for a Cadbury Freddo, one of the diet staples in my marathon-training program.

Have you ever wondered where all the corner shops in the world get all their sweets from. Hancocks…read moreis the answer! Situated in a giant warehouse just off Penarth Road, this is a strange wonderland of confectionery. Avenues of confectionery line the way, stretching right up to the ceiling, in the same manner of the Ikea furniture collection when you reach the end of the shopping experience/maze. This shop is a great outlet for anyone needing to buy in massive bulk. I'm not entirely sure if you're able to buy here if you don't have a business, but if you do, go take a look! Although the layout and service is pretty standard; there's always a certain excitement that accompanies sweets and chocolate, wherever they go. Plus, the prices are cheap (as you might expect from a wholesaler!)