Review York’s chocolate story. I had read that visiting York’s Chocolate Story was the best thing to do for kids while visiting York. So I had high hopes for our hour-long tour of the York chocolate story. I was looking forward to learning all about york’s chocolate heritage, its finest creations and learning a host of surprising secrets. It was also the most expensive attraction we visited during our stay. With so many free things to do in York for kids, it had a lot to live up to. The question was our visit everything we hoped it would be?
Where is York’s chocolate Story?
Like many other attractions in York, York’s chocolate story is located in the city centre and is integral to the history of York. Looking into king’s square it is right next to the carousel with the entrance is easy to find. Being in th heart of York it is easily within walking distance from the top of the Shambles and other key attractions. We visited DIG first thing in the morning and still managed to get to York chocolate story by midday.
Do you have to book the York chocolate story? – online bookings
You do not have to book but if you want to guarantee entry then I most definitely would. We booked our tickets online as we visited between Christmas and the New Year, during the school holidays. And we had a pretty packed itinerary so wanted to make sure that we could visit when we wanted. As mentioned it is a popular attraction so I would recommend that you do the same.
They also offer a number of different themed sessions for corporate groups, hen parties and a popular chocolate masterclass package.
How long is the York chocolate factory tour?
The tour takes about an hour. But at the end you are left to explore the upstairs area on your own. Plus there is the chocolate shop downstairs which you may want to peruse. It holds a whole host of York’s greatest chocolate products and so would be a good place to buy souvenirs and gifts to take home. I would allow an extra fifteen to twenty minutes for both of these.
York Chocolate tour what to expect
- When you arrive you are asked to sit in the waiting area next to the shop on the ground floor. There were around fifteen people on our tour. Then you go up to the first floor by the lifts at the far end of the shop. There are two floors of interactive exploration.
The First Floor
- Before you start the tour you are advised that it is not possible to take photos during this element. I am not entirely sure why as it is doesn’t hold any secret chocolate recipe. This is not clear at the time of booking either. Especially when we visited Cadbury World we could take as many photos as we wanted throughout the experience. I guess they want to protect their secrets of chocolate.
- The first exhibit was an immersive video that ran through chocolate’s origins, how it was discovered and the history of chocolate. The screen wrapped around the room and it was very good creating a great atmosphere. It is dark though so be warned for little ones. The room is designed to mimic the rainforests of Central America
- After we went through into the next room where pictures spoke to you about the important part that chocolate played in york’s history. York’s chocolate story is linked to the famous chocolate brand Terry’s. Chocolate orange has long been a favourite of mine. But the brand is one of the greatest names in chocolate meaning there is lots of memorabilia and detail around how it started and grew. Providing jobs for many local people. It was all very interesting. The tour guide was very good at answering questions and engaging with the group
The Second Floor
- We then went upstairs and photos were then allowed to be taken on this floor. The next stop was to demonstrate how chocolate is actually made. The boys were allowed to help operate interactive exhibits that showed how this was done. Taking it from cocoa bean all the way through to making your own chocolate bar. The guide also talked about sustainable future of chocolate.
- Before we moved on to the tasting wheel. The wheel details were interesting as far as they showed all the different flavours you can experience in chocolate. However, it was lost somewhat in not actually being able to taste the chocolate.
- The next task was by far the boy’s favourite. They got to make their own chocolate lollipop. Decorating them with various different toppings. Even the adults get a turn although the boys ended up with two each. These are then bagged for you to take home.
- After we had a go we watched as some chocolates were made, with one of the skilled chocolatiers running through what he was doing and why. The boys thought the chocolate rain was funny.
- There are also a few other exhibits on this floor looking at all the different flavours of Kit Kat you can get in Japan, I had no idea how many different famous KitKat flavours there were. There was also some of the old TV ads.
Are you given chocolate to taste at York Chocolate Story?
We found this element of the guided tour disappointing. Although mainly due to the virus I do think they could have handled it better. Even the guide who was very good eluded to this.
There are several different times that you are given chocolate on the tour to taste. Due to the pandemic, we were given little bags of chocolate at the start. I get the impression that these are normally handed out as you go round. As they are mini bars of different strength chocolate and there are opportunities throughout the tour for this to happen. However, we were also told not to eat them! This was a bit difficult to manage with the boys and it would have been better to give the chocolate out at the end of the tour.
You are also given more chocolate towards the end of the tour when you can watch the chocolate being made. And this you were actually allowed to eat. Which makes no sense at all especially when it is handed round on a silver tray. The kids also got their chocolate lollies which they had great fun with.
How much does it cost – York chocolate Story
Booking tickets online is very easy. The first part of your visit is a tour which leaves at specific times. There are times throughout the day around half an hour apart, starting at 10 am and finishing at 4 pm. A family ticket for two adults and two kids cost £55, for two adults and three children the price is £67.50.
As I mentioned it was the most expensive attraction that we visited during our stay. And although our guide was very, very good. If it was York’s Chocolate Story or the triple ticket for the Jorvik Museums I would pick the latter. Especially for children. However, being completely unbiased I suspect some of this is because we visited Cadbury World last year which is on a much bigger scale.
Other things to see and do in York
We spent a few days in York and so managed to pick up a number of the main attractions in the city of York. If you are thinking of doing the same then you may be interested in the following articles.
The best things to do in York with kids
Complete guide to visiting York Minister with kids
Wizard Golf in York a review of Hole in the Wand
Free things to do in York with kids
The National Railway Museum
Jorvik Viking Centre York
York for Harry Potter fans our guide for seeing it all in one day
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7 Responses
It certainly seems to have been an expensive experience and being told not to eat the chocolate is quite weird
I think I would definitely have to pay this a visit when I’m in York. My husband loves Terry’s too. Hopefully they will improve on their protocol in regards to Covid. My kids would have definitely munched through all those chocolates handed out in the beginning or at least fight me for it
Maybe if I won a golden ticket I would get a visit
This looks amazing. I might just have to treat my nephews and nieces to a visit ( for the children of coure, not me!).
this does seem like an expensive outing – I’d expect to receive at least a couple of chocolate oranges or boxes of chocs!
It looks fun but seems a bit strange the way its handled re the chocolate eating – I think all I would hear is ‘can I eat my chocolate now Mum’ haha
Would love to visit York one day it is on my bucket list!
As most kidslove chocolate, I would think they’d be fascinated to watch the whole production process close-up . And if ever you’re in the West Midlands, you’ve got Cadbury World in Birmingham. This is located in historic Bournville village, site of the original ‘Factory in a Garden’ built in the late 1870s. There is a heritage walk you can follow to visit spots of special interest there.