British Sweets in Singapore: The Guide to Proper UK Sweets (2026)

There is something about British sweets that just hits differently. Maybe it is the fizzy sherbet, the chewy fruit gums you have to work at, or the pick and mix bag you filled as a kid. If you grew up in the UK, went to school with British friends, or simply fell for Squashies on a holiday in London, you already know the feeling. The good news is that you do not need a plane ticket to get your fix of British sweets in Singapore.

In this guide we walk you through what makes British sweets so different from American candy, the classic brands worth knowing, and our favourite UK picks on the shelves right now. We also flag which ones are Halal and vegan. Everything here is available in our Proper British Sweets collection, at our Tanglin Mall store, and with islandwide delivery across Singapore.

Sweets vs Candy: What Makes British Sweets Different?

First, a quick vocabulary lesson. In the UK, "candy" is almost always called "sweets", and a sweet shop is where you go to buy them. But the differences go beyond the name.

• Texture is king. British sweets lean heavily on chewy, firm textures. Fruit gums and fruit pastilles are denser and chewier than a typical soft gummy bear, and are meant to be savoured slowly.
• Sherbet means fizz. In America, sherbet is a frozen dessert. In Britain, sherbet is a tangy, fizzy powder that crackles on your tongue. It turns up in dips, lollies and, famously, Flying Saucers.
• Nostalgic flavours. Raspberry and milk, strawberries and cream, cherry cola, blackcurrant: British sweet flavours often read like a menu of classic desserts and cordials rather than "blue raspberry" and "extreme sour".
• Pick and mix culture. For generations of British kids, a paper bag of pick and mix from the high street was the ultimate weekend treat. Scooping your own mix of sweets is a very British ritual, and it is one we have happily brought to Singapore.

If you enjoyed our deep dive into what makes Swedish candy different, think of British sweets as its chewier, fizzier, more nostalgic cousin.

The Classic British Sweet Brands to Know

A handful of names come up again and again in any conversation about UK sweets:

• Rowntree's is one of the oldest names in British confectionery, with roots in York going back to the 1800s. Fruit Pastilles and Fruit Gums are its most famous creations and are still household staples today.
• Swizzels is a British family sweet maker behind a long list of retro favourites, including the Drumstick lolly and the hugely popular Squashies range.
• Barratt is a classic name in British "pocket money" sweets, the cheap and cheerful treats kids bought with their spare change.
• Candy Kittens is a newer UK brand that gives the classic gummy a gourmet twist with natural flavours and a plant-based recipe.

Our Favourite British Sweets in Singapore

Here are the UK sweets our customers keep coming back for. We have included a mix of timeless classics and modern favourites, so there is something for nostalgia lovers and first-timers alike.

Swizzels Squashies Original Raspberry & Milk Chewy Candy

If you only try one British sweet, make it this one. Squashies Original take the famous raspberry and milk flavour of the Drumstick lolly and turn it into a soft, squishy two-tone chew. Sweet, creamy and very hard to stop eating.

Swizzels Squashies Sour Cherry & Apple Chewy Candy

One of our bestsellers, and the perfect bridge between British sweets and the sour candy craze. You get the same pillowy Squashies chew with a tangy cherry and apple coating. More friendly tang than face-melting, so it is a great starter if you are working your way up our sour candy scale.

Rowntree's Fruit Pastilles Sweets Sharing Bag

A true British icon. Fruit Pastilles are firm, sugar-dusted fruit chews with a satisfying bite, and generations of Brits have tried (and failed) the classic challenge of eating one without chewing. This sharing bag is tagged vegan on our store.

Rowntree's Fruit Gums Vegan Sweets

The uncoated sibling of Fruit Pastilles. Fruit Gums are glossy, extra-chewy and bursting with fruit flavour, perfect for making a bag last through a long afternoon at the office. Tagged Halal and vegan on our store, so they are easy to share with everyone.

Rowntree's Pick & Mix Sweets Sharing Bag

Cannot decide? This bag does the picking for you, with a fruity mix of shapes and textures in the spirit of the British sweet shop. A great option for movie nights and party tables. Halal and vegan.

Bonds Flying Saucers Treat Bags

Flying Saucers are one of the most recognisable retro British sweets: colourful edible wafer discs that melt on your tongue and release a burst of fizzy sherbet. They are light, silly and pure nostalgia. Halal and vegan.

Barratt Refreshers Roll Fruity Fizzy Retro Sweets

A proper pocket money classic. This roll of fruity, fizzy sweets slips easily into a school bag or pocket, and it is exactly the kind of treat British kids have been swapping in the playground for decades. Tagged Halal on our store.

Candy Kittens Wild Strawberry Gourmet Sweets Pouch

The modern face of British sweets. Candy Kittens make soft, juicy gummies with a more grown-up flavour profile, and Wild Strawberry tastes like summer in the English countryside. A lovely pick for gifting. Vegan.

Want more? Our Proper British Sweets collection also includes more Squashies flavours (Bubblegum, Strawberry & Cream and Cherry Cola), Zed Candy jelly bean games and more.

Halal and Vegan British Sweets

A lot of traditional British sweets were made with gelatine, which is usually animal-derived. That is why "is it Halal?" and "is it vegan?" are two of the most common questions we hear about UK sweets at our Tanglin Mall store. Recipes have changed a lot over the years, and several favourites are now plant-based.

From the list above, Rowntree's Fruit Gums, Rowntree's Pick & Mix and Bonds Flying Saucers are tagged both Halal and vegan on our store. Barratt Refreshers are tagged Halal, while Rowntree's Fruit Pastilles and Candy Kittens are tagged vegan. For the full range, browse our Halal and Vegan collections. If you have a strict dietary requirement or allergy, always check the ingredients and certification on the product page and packaging before buying, as recipes can vary by market.

How to Build the Perfect British Sweet Hamper

British sweets make brilliant gifts for homesick friends, British colleagues or anyone with a sweet tooth. A few tips for putting together a crowd-pleaser:

• Mix textures. Pair something chewy (Fruit Pastilles or Squashies) with something fizzy (Flying Saucers or Refreshers) so every bite feels different.
• Include one nostalgic hero. Squashies Original or Fruit Pastilles are instantly recognisable to anyone who grew up in the UK.
• Add a modern twist. A pouch of Candy Kittens makes the hamper feel a bit more premium.
• Go big with pick and mix. For parties and office pantries, our Pick and Mix tubs and bulk bags bring the full sweet shop experience home.
• Beat the humidity. Singapore weather is not kind to sugar-dusted sweets. Keep them in an airtight container somewhere cool and out of direct sun.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I buy British sweets in Singapore?

You can shop our Proper British Sweets collection online at thecandystore.sg with islandwide delivery, or visit The Candy Store at Tanglin Mall to browse the range in person.

Are Squashies Halal?

Not every Squashies flavour carries a Halal tag on our store, so check the individual product page before buying. If you need Halal sweets, Rowntree's Fruit Gums, Rowntree's Pick & Mix, Bonds Flying Saucers and Barratt Refreshers are all tagged Halal.

What is the difference between Fruit Pastilles and Fruit Gums?

Both are Rowntree's classics. Fruit Pastilles have a sugar-dusted coating and a slightly softer bite, while Fruit Gums are glossy, uncoated and chewier.

What are the most popular British sweets?

At our store, Swizzels Squashies (especially Sour Cherry & Apple and Original Raspberry & Milk), Rowntree's Fruit Pastilles and Fruit Gums, and retro fizzy favourites like Flying Saucers are the ones customers reach for most.

Bring the British Sweet Shop Home

Whether you are chasing a taste of childhood or discovering Squashies for the very first time, there is a proper British sweet waiting for you. Browse the full Proper British Sweets collection and enjoy islandwide delivery across Singapore. Unwrap the Fun!