About Us
Our Story
1683 Chocolate Place began with a love of chocolate, a great deal of determination and an ambition that started unusually early.
On 4 September 2015, just two weeks after turning 16, Joe Vaughan opened the doors to 1683 Chocolate Place in Knowle, Solihull. What began as the vision of a young chocolatier has since grown into an established artisan chocolate shop, creating distinctive handmade chocolates for customers throughout the UK.
Before opening the shop, Joe trained with Callebaut at the Chocolate Academy in Banbury. This intensive experience gave him the technical foundations of professional chocolate making, but developing the quality and style associated with 1683 has taken years of practical experience, experimentation and continual refinement.
Handmade in Knowle
Every chocolate is made by our small team in our shop in Knowle. From preparing ganaches, caramels and pralines to moulding, decorating and carefully packing each finished box, the entire process is completed by hand.
Our chocolates are designed to be as memorable to taste as they are to look. Behind their colourful, polished finish is a collection of carefully balanced flavours and textures—from smooth caramels and rich ganaches to nut pralines, fruit fillings and seasonal creations.
We produce our chocolates in small batches, with freshness and flavour at the heart of everything we make. Our filled chocolates generally have a shelf life of approximately six weeks from delivery, allowing them to be enjoyed at their best.
Chocolate Made with Purpose
The ingredients we use matter to us. All of our chocolate is supplied by Luker Chocolate, whose commitment to sustainability and cocoa-growing communities reflects values that are important to our business.
We believe luxury chocolate should offer more than beautiful presentation. It should be made thoughtfully, taste exceptional and create a genuine sense of occasion—whether it is being given as a birthday gift, shared at a celebration or enjoyed as a well-deserved treat.
Beautifully Made for Every Occasion
Our collection includes luxury chocolate gift boxes, create-your-own selections, handmade chocolate bars, hot chocolate and limited-edition seasonal ranges.
Customers can choose one of our carefully curated assortments or create their own box by selecting every individual flavour. Each gift box is carefully packed and beautifully finished with our signature ribbon before being collected from our shop or dispatched for delivery across the UK.
We also create chocolates for corporate gifting, hospitality, wholesale partners and special events, working with businesses to produce memorable gifts and bespoke branded collections.
More than ten years after opening, our purpose remains the same: to create chocolates that look extraordinary, taste exceptional and make every gift feel special.
We look forward to welcoming you to our shop in Knowle or preparing your next chocolate order.