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Rock is a type of confectionery made from sugar flavoured with peppermint and sold at tourist (usually seaside) resorts in the UK. It is manufactured as tubular sticks, normally up to 1/2 inch (12 mm) in diameter and 12 inches (300 mm) long. These cylinders usually have a pattern embedded throughout the length, which is often the name of the resort where the rock is sold, so that the name can be read on one end of the stick and remains legible even after pieces are bitten off. As the character Ida says in Graham Greene's novel Brighton Rock, "It's like those sticks of rock: bite it all the way down, you'll still read Brighton." Rock is also manufactured as a promotional item, for example with a company name running through it.
Rock is also available in Ireland, although to a lesser extent. There the word "Éire" usually runs through the centre of the rock.
Rock is a different product from American rock candy; it more closely resembles a harder candy cane.
Edinburgh rock is an unrelated confection based on sugar and cream of tartar, having in common only that it is made into sticks. It is friable and flavoured, for example, with ginger.
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