How many KitKat do you think are made in York each day? 4 and a half million. In fact, the streets of York often smell of chocolate thanks to the chocolate factories around the city. York is making more chocolate than ever before. We visitors York’s chocolate story to find out the history of chocolate and particularly York’s chocolate heritage. If you are visiting york then this is a great attraction for chocolate lovers. This is one of our favourite things to do in York with kids.
The tour starts in the ground floor shop and cafe from where we took the lift to the second floor. No photography is allowed on this floor so you’ll have to imagine it from my description. Our guide greeted us as we stepped out of the lift and after a short introduction to the tour, he starts telling us about the history of chocolate. Samples are a regular part of the tour starting with a sample of Victorian chocolate which was dark, gritty and really quite sweet.
We then moved into the next room where we were shown a short video about how coco was discovered in Mexico and how it came across the seas to the UK. We even sampled the first chocolate-based drink that they drank, a bitter cold chocolate drink flavoured with chilli.
In the next room, we were seated opposite a series of old photographs of famous chocolate factories and the families who ran them. As the guide started telling us about them, they turned to videos and this really brought the stories to life.
After learning the history of chocolate we went down a flight of stairs to the factory floor where all the photos in this post were taken. Our guide used an interactive station to demonstrate how cacao is turned in to chocolate which my girls enjoyed helping with. After this, we were shown how to taste chocolate best and then we were then free to browse this floor learning more about the history of chocolate and in particular the women who were involved.
The next bit was my girls favourite part where we made chocolate lollies and decorated them with sprinkles. Such a fun idea that kids love and it’s nice to take away something from the visit. I can confirm the chocolate made here is delicious.
Next, we watched one of the chocolatiers make some filled chocolates. These are some of the chocolates made in the factory and of course, there were samples for us to enjoy.
This was then the end of the tour (but you can stay on this floor browsing the displays as long as you like). Unless you’d paid the £3 extra per person to have a go at truffle rolling. Myself and my 5 year old had a go at this and each made 4 delicious truffles each that we took away to enjoy later.
Overall the tour lasted about 90 minutes. My girls love chocolate and thankfully the samples were enough to keep them focused during the first area of history. The videos and interactive nature of the tour helped too. They enjoyed the factory floor and the interactive bits best. My 2 year old was too young to really appreciate the whole experience but did enjoy decorating (and eating) her chocolate lolly. My 5 year old loved the whole experience of the factory floor. From the interactive learning about making chocolate to getting hands-on making chocolate lollies and truffles herself.
Overall this is a great family attraction in York. Make sure you book your visit online. You might get lucky if you walk in but as tours start at specific times and have a maximum number it’s best to book in advance. I’d say that preschool age and upwards will get the most out of the attraction but if you have a toddler and want to visit the attraction for yourselves or older siblings then don’t worry. Your toddler will be more than welcome and will enjoy some parts more than others. Our tour guide was not distracted or bothered if our toddler didn’t stay still or interacted with the exhibits. Pin for later:
Disclosure – We were given tickets in exchange for a review by York’s chocolate story. All thought, photos and opinions are my own.
I gave up chocolate and wine for lent. First day I had Krave for breakfast and last night I had wine, haha. I love chocolate and love York. I’ll be taking a visit to the chocolate factory Next time I visit the city… great post x
York is one of my favourite cities. The chocolate story is great
This sounds like a great day out. So nice that you can have a go and make the lollies and truffles.
It was a great ending to the tour.
A city that smells of chocolate – I need to go! The tour looks heavenly. Yum yum. X
York is a gorgeous city and the tour was really fun
This looks like a fab adventure, so glad you had such a fab time x
Thanks. The whole weekend was great fun.
Sounds like a fab time! Added it to my to visit list!