Name: Visit York
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The Chocolate City

The home of Terry's Chocolate Orange, Rowntree's and Kit Kat, York celebrates a vast chocolate history. Today, this sweet legacy continues with treats ranging from humbugs, cakes and fudge still produced in the city, with chocolate remaining a vital part of York’s past, present and future.

For the sweet tooths, there are plenty of chocolate experiences, restaurants with delicious desserts, cafes, patisseries and chocolate-themed tours. Enjoy a delicious hot chocolate after a chocolate making workshop at York Cocoa Works, before venturing to Shambles Market to pick up some sweet goodies to take home. York's Chocolate Story offers tours and experiences uncovering the history of chocolate, as well as a shop to to take home locally sourced chocolate.

Book your trip with TransPennine Express, and travel to York sustainably with ease. With so much to do, stay at The Milner York to extend your trip in York - and why not try their delicious chocolate afternoon tea?

Don't forget to pick up a Visit York Pass to see as much as possible at an affordable price, including chocolate themed attractions. If you need any guidance on your visit, pop into the Visit York Visitor Information Centre and our friendly team will be happy to help.

Discover more from the attractions, makers, artisans and guides that love sharing York's passion for chocolate.

York's Chocolate Story ▸

Located in the heart of York, this award-winning tour offers an exciting and educational journey through the fascinating world of chocolate. Enjoy interactive exhibits, delicious tastings, and the chance to make your own chocolate – all wrapped in rich, local history.

TransPennine Express ▸

Travel into York with ease with TransPennine Express, with York's chocolate attractions just a short walk away from the railway station.

York Cocoa Works ▸

York Cocoa Works is a working, learning chocolate factory where visitors can see, eat and craft their very own chocolate using rare and flavourful cocoa beans sourced from farms and communities around the world. Book in for a chocolate making workshop or pop into their delicious cafe 7 days a week!

The Milner ▸

York’s grandest welcome since 1878, a Victorian showstopper always offering a warm Yorkshire welcome. Don't forget to try their chocolate desserts and delicious Chocolate Afternoon Tea.

Chocolate Trail ▸

Discover the history behind York's chocolate foundation and follow the York Chocolate Trail for a taste experience catered to your sweet tooth.

Easter in York ▸

Hop into York this Easter and enjoy the changing of the seasons in one of the most beautiful cities. Whether you want to explore York's beautiful gardens or enjoy locally sourced chocolate, there's plenty to do over Easter in York.

Shambles Market ▸

Support York's local traders and discover the Shambles Market, right round the corner from the famous medieval street. Nearby, fuel up at the Shambles Food Court for both sweet and savoury options.

The Visit York Pass ▸

With outstanding value, grab a Visit York Pass and see more attractions at a lower cost. Pick up a 1, 2, or 3 day pass and enjoy entry to 35+ attractions, alongside discounts on restaurants and tours.

Visitor Information Centre ▸

On 21 Parliament Street, pop into the Visitor Information Centre and chat to our friendly team about your visit to York. We're on hand to provide any maps, leaflets, or York souvenirs from our gift shop.

York Chocolate Trail

Discover the history behind York’s chocolate foundation and follow the York Chocolate Trail for a taste experience catered to your sweet tooth.

The city celebrated 250 years of being home to the renowned confectioner Terry’s. Today, this sweet legacy continues with treats ranging from humbugs to fudge produced in the city, with chocolate remaining a vital part of York’s past, present and future.

York: The Chocolate City

While other northern cities made their wealth from wool, cotton and steel, York went its own sweet way and built a city from chocolate. Its rivers brought in the vital ingredients, while the railways transported the final products at speed around the country.

Some of the world's most well-known names in chocolate began life in York – Rowntree's created Kit Kat, Smarties and Aero, while Terry's came up with the Chocolate Orange and All Gold collection, and Craven's were famous for their French Almonds and Mary Ann Toffees. These global brands are inextricably linked with York's social and industrial development.

The city recently celebrated 250 years of being home to the renowned confectioner Terry's. Today, this sweet legacy continues with treats ranging from humbugs to fudge produced in the city, with chocolate remaining a vital part of York's past, present and future.

Sweet Start

In 1646, after a five year apprenticeship with a master craftsman, John Reilly was awarded freemanship of the city as a 'Confectioner', a new profession to York. The award highlights the wealth of experience in this skilled vocation within the city at the time, ahead of other locations within the country, establishing York as the Chocolate City.

Quaker Roots

The Quaker religion was the foundation to a number of thriving chocolate families in the city, the religious group favoured the cocoa industry because it offered workers an alternative to strong drink. Characters such as the pioneering Mary Tuke and Joseph Rowntree, central to York's chocolate legacy came from such dynasties.

Rowntree's Grows

In 1862, the chocolate side of the business was sold to the factory foreman, fellow Quaker Henry Isaac Rowntree. Henry ran into financial troubles, so to sort out his money woes he turned to his brother Joseph who hired a professional confectioner. After Henry's death in 1883, Joseph took control and moved the expanding operation to the chocolate factory on Haxby Road.

Terry's of York

Meanwhile, Bayldon and Berry, combined their expertise as a grocer and an apothecary by using a tempting new arrival – sugar – to 'sweeten their pills'. In 1823, Joseph Terry married into the Berry family eventually taking over the business. His son named it Terry's of York and established its factory on Bishopthorpe Rd, which still remains part of the York skyline today.

City of Taste

York of the 18th and 19th centuries was a fashionable place of grand dinners and balls. With this discerning public, Rowntree's and Terry's found an ideal audience for their highly esteemed confections. Steam power and the railways brought workers to their factories and took their chocolate to markets worldwide, enabling their businesses to grow into global empires.

The Sugary Stuff

York's sweet story is about more than just chocolate. Mary Craven's factory on Coppergate had been producing boiled sweets since 1854 – sugared almonds, toffees and mint humbugs remain a treasured treat today. Today, chocolate and all things sweet have enriched York with a lasting legacy of iconic buildings, artisan confectionery producers and independent chocolate shops. The story is celebrated at York's Chocolate Story in King's Square which honours the people and industry that make York a centre for all things sweet.

Chocolate Experiences

York is filled with chocolate themed experiences, with attractions offering a range of chocolate making classes and tasting experiences. Enjoy a hands-on, fun experience for something different inbetween shopping, eating, and sightseeing. Perfect for birthday parties, special occassions, or simply to experience something unique on your trip to York. Book now!

🍫Explore York's Chocolate Story experiences and tours ▸

🍫Discover York Cocoa Works' experiences, or get a taste of what's on offer below ▸