Discover the history of chocolate at York’s Chocolate Story

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If you’re looking for a sweet family adventure, York’s Chocolate Story is the perfect destination! We recently took a trip to this delightful attraction, and we all had the best time. From learning about the rich history of chocolate in York to getting hands-on with some tasty creations, there’s something for every family member to enjoy.

Address

York’s Chocolate Story,
King’s Square, 
York,
YO1 7LD

Getting there & parking

York’s Chocolate Story is approximately 15 minutes’ walk from York Railway Station. You can also walk from anywhere else in the city centre, which is well serviced by buses.

There is no parking available at York’s Chocolate Story however, disabled badge holders can park on the yellow lines on Goodramgate or Colliergate for a maximum of 3 hours at any time of day. If you need more than 3 hours of parking the nearest car park is on Bootham Row, you can park here for free with no time limit.

Opening times

Open daily from 10am until 5pm
Closed 24, 25, 26 December and 1 January

Admission prices

• York residents can receive a fantastic 20% off on the door admission rates on presentation of proof of residence on Sundays.
• You can save 10% off normal tickets by booking in advance.
• You can get free entry to this attraction with a Visit York Pass.

How long do tours last?

The regular tour asts between 1hr and 1hr 15 minutes while the tour and truffle rolling experience lasts up to 1hr 30.

How long before the tour should you arrive?

In order to check in and make sure you are in time for your tour, you should aim to get there at least 10 minutes prior to the start time.

York’s Chocolate Story: What to expect!

When we visited Brussels in 2022 we visited Choco Story (a chocolate museum), which is all about the history of Belgian chocolate. I thought that this would be similar but I was very wrong! York’s Chocolate Story is so much more than that though, and much more family friendly. 

Interactive exhibits and tours

The first part of the tour is a guided tour experience, led by a tour guide at York’s Chocolate Story. During this part, you aren’t allowed to take any photos or videos. This helps to keep the tour secret and so it won’t be ruined for others. During these interactive exhibits you’ll get to learn about the history of chocolate in York, including York’s most famous chocolate-making families. Discover how a family run buiness became one of the most well-known chocolate brands in the world, and the other families that started some of York’s famous chocolate brands.

Although it may sound like there’s a lot of history to go through, this part of the tour doesn’t last too long. You move through a few different rooms during this part of the tour, learning about chocolate’s origins and getting free chocolate on the way. Yes, free chocolate!  You actually start the tour with a small goody bag which you can either add to as you go, or eat the samples when you get them. It really is a chocolate lover’s dream. 

From bean to bar!

Mid way through the tour the group will get to learn all about the chocolate-making process. There is a mock-up of a virtual factory, where children can get hands-on and help to ‘make’ a chocolate bar. Our tour guide tried to make sure as many children as possible were included in this part, getting them to do the actions and use the ‘machines’ to do each of the different parts of the process. 

Hands-on chocolate workshops

Towards the end of the tour everyone has the chance to get hands-on and make their own chocolate lolly. In small groups at various tables, everyone is given a set of toppings to add to the lolly, a plastic bag to make the lolly on as well as a pen and a stick. The tour guide will pour out some white chocolate for you, and tells you how to add the stick to ensure it doesn’t fall off! You’re then free to use the decorations as you wish. It was so much fun making our own chocolate creations that we could then take home with us. 

Chocolate tasting!

At the end of the tour, while you’re waiting for your own chocolates to set, you can watch a demonstration. Here, you’ll be able to see how chocolate production is done, and what goes into making a deliciously filled chocolate. The demonstration only lasts about 5 minutes but afterwards you’re able to taste one or two! It was quite exciting to see the secrets of chocolate being made! 

Visit the cafe and gift shop

Either before or after your tour, you can spend some time in the cafe and gift shop. The cafe serves delicious hot chocolate, cold drinks and sweet treats such as a chocolate fondues. You can buy all different kinds of chocolates in the shop, whether that be for yourself or friends and family. 

Final thoughts

This is such a fun place to visit for chocolate lovers, or those interested in York’s chocolate history. Before doing this tour, I didn’t realise that York was such a chocolate city or that certain brands came from here. I was a little worried about whether or not Erin (age 8) would enjoy the tour but she loved it. It was fun to make our own chocolate lollies as well as trying different things as we went around. The chocolate industry is a lot more interesting than I thought and there’s so much more to York’s chocolate heritage than you might know. 

Other great things to do with kids in York:

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