The Proper Marmalade Company
9 Belgrave Promenade, Wilder Road, Ilfracombe, EX34 9AS
Member Overview
What is The Proper Marmalade Company?
The Proper Marmalade Company is an artisan marmalade producer based in Ilfracombe, North Devon, creating handmade, small-batch marmalades using traditional slow-cooking methods. Each batch produces just 22 jars, allowing exceptional attention to detail and ensuring every jar delivers outstanding clarity, texture and flavour.
Renowned among marmalade lovers across the UK, the company has built an outstanding reputation for both traditional marmalades and innovative flavour combinations, earning numerous national and international awards along the way.
What does The Proper Marmalade Company offer?
The Proper Marmalade Company produces a range of handcrafted artisan marmalades, divided into two unique collections designed to appeal to both traditionalists and adventurous food lovers.
Proper Marmalade Range
The traditional collection focuses on bold, citrus-forward marmalades created for breakfast tables and classic marmalade enthusiasts.
Improper Marmalade Range
The experimental collection explores creative flavour combinations designed to complement:
- Cheeses
- Meats
- Desserts
- Cocktails
- Baking
Popular flavours include:
- Blood Orange & Amaretto
- Espresso Martini Marmalade
- Lemon & Horseradish
- Gin & Tonic Marmalade
- Pink Grapefruit Marmalade
- Chocolate-Splattered Marmalade
Customers can purchase individual jars, gift packs and seasonal collections either in-store or online, with nationwide delivery available.
Our Specialities
- Handmade artisan marmalade
- Traditional marmalade
- Small-batch preserves
- Award-winning marmalades
- Citrus preserves
- Blood Orange & Amaretto Marmalade
- Espresso Martini Marmalade
- Lemon & Horseradish Marmalade
- Gin & Tonic Marmalade
- Pink Grapefruit Marmalade
- Chocolate-Splattered Marmalade
- Gift hampers and gift packs
- Slow-food production
- Artisan preserves from Devon
- Marmalade tastings
Why Choose The Proper Marmalade Company?
The Proper Marmalade Company stands out through its dedication to traditional craftsmanship, small-batch production and creative flavour development.
Every jar is:
- Handmade in North Devon
- Produced in batches of just 22 jars
- Made using slow-cooked traditional methods
- Crafted from carefully sourced seasonal fruit
- Developed using recipes refined over more than two decades
The business has achieved remarkable recognition through multiple prestigious awards, including:
- World Champion at the Original Marmalade Festival
- Gold and Silver Awards at the Original Marmalade Festival
- Great Taste Awards recognition
- Inclusion in the Great Taste Top 50 Products
- Dalemain World Marmalade Awards Silver Medals (2015, 2018 and 2025)
- Multiple Taste of the West Gold Awards (2015, 2016, 2019, 2021, 2024 and 2025)
Current owner Alex continues the legacy established by founder Victoria, preserving much-loved recipes while introducing carefully considered new flavour innovations.
Where can you find The Proper Marmalade Company?
The Proper Marmalade Company shop is located in Ilfracombe, North Devon, where visitors can browse the full range, sample products and discover new flavours.
Opening Hours
Tuesday: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Thursday: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Saturday: 11:00 am – 3:00 pm
Shop & Online Sales
Customers can:
- Visit the Ilfracombe shop
- Purchase online
- Order nationwide delivery
- Buy seasonal gift packs and hampers
- Arrange marmalade gifts for food lovers
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Contact The Proper Marmalade Company
Contact Info
Where to find us
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is The Proper Marmalade Company based?
The company is based in Ilfracombe on the North Devon coast.
What makes The Proper Marmalade Company different?
Every marmalade is handmade in tiny batches of just 22 jars using traditional slow-cooking techniques and carefully developed recipes.
What is Improper Marmalade?
Improper Marmalade is the company's experimental range featuring inventive flavour combinations designed for cooking, entertaining, cheeseboards and cocktails.
What flavours are available?
Popular flavours include Blood Orange & Amaretto, Espresso Martini, Gin & Tonic, Lemon & Horseradish, Pink Grapefruit and Chocolate-Splattered Marmalade.
Has The Proper Marmalade Company won any awards?
Yes. The company has won World Champion, Great Taste, Taste of the West and Dalemain World Marmalade Awards, among many others.
Are the products handmade?
Yes. Every jar is handmade using traditional small-batch methods.
Do they use local ingredients?
Fruit is sourced seasonally and locally wherever possible, reflecting the company's strong slow-food value
Can I visit the shop?
Yes. Customers are welcome to visit the Ilfracombe shop to browse, buy and sample the marmalade range.
Do they offer gifts?
Yes. Seasonal gift packs, hampers and marmalade collections are available throughout the year.
Can I order online?
Yes. Nationwide delivery is available through the company website.
Why is the marmalade award-winning?
The combination of traditional production methods, premium ingredients, small-batch craftsmanship and innovative flavour development has earned the company widespread recognition from industry judges and food experts.