The Chocolate City
Itinerary
York Chocolate Trail
Known as 'The Chocolate City', York is the home of Terry's Chocolate Orange, Rowntree's and Kit Kat. The city's sweet legacy continues today as chocolate remains a vital part of York’s past, present and future.
Follow the York Chocolate Trail below to find all the city's chocolate spots. Learn about chocolate history, create your own chocolate bar in a family-friendly workshop, or venture to one of the many chocolate cafes and shops for a sweet treat!
Full-Day
Locations
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In this Itinerary
1
Visit York Visitor Information Centre & Gift Shop
Begin at the Visitor York Visitor Information Centre, You'll find us at 21 Parliament Street, right in the heart of York. We're your go-to place for information and assistance as you navigate all that York and its surroundings have to offer.
2
York Mansion House
Make your way to newly restored Mansion House, opening late 2017. In 1914, the Lord Mayor sent a bar of Rowntree’s chocolate to every York soldier fighting in the Great War – one of the original tins with the chocolate bar still inside is on display. Joseph Terry was Sheriff of York in 1870 and Lord Mayor four times.
3
Bettys Cafe Tea Rooms
Few visitors to York fail to visit Bettys. Founded in 1919, Bettys’ mouth-watering cakes, refreshing teas and friendly smiles have made it world famous. The menus feature a unique mix of continental classics and British favourites – plus, of course, Bettys’ legendary afternoon tea which is one of Visit England's '101 things to do before you go abroad’.
To experience it for yourself, simply visit any Bettys, any day, at any time. It’s always afternoon tea time with Bettys.
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York's Chocolate Story
Discover York's chocolate heritage at York’s Chocolate Story on King’s Square. Take a guided tour and follow a mouth-watering journey on which you'll experience all of York's chocolate history, as well as tasting some for yourself. From its Central American roots to our present love affair with all things sweet; hear first-hand the story of how York became the Chocolate City!
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Fairfax House
Experience Fairfax House, which houses the exceptional Noel Terry collection of English furniture and clocks from the family home, Goddards on Tadcaster Road. The collection was given to York Civic Trust in 1980 following his death – Noel was great grandson of Joseph, founder of the Terry confectionery business. Drop into York Cocoa Works on Castlegate. Inside you’ll find unique sweet and savoury chocolate treats; also on the menu are chocolate making workshops and chocolate demonstrations.
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Merchant Adventurers' Hall
The Merchant Adventurers’ Hall is home to The Company of Merchant Adventurers, which controlled trade and industry in York. As a woman, Mary Tuke could only join the guild as the daughter or widow of a member. Mary was neither and as a result was fined and threatened with court action, but ignoring their opposition she went on to be one of the founding figures of York’s chocolate legacy.
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York Castle Museum
Arrive at York’s renowned Castle Museum and check out the city’s sweet past and many of the brand names that made York world famous for confectionery. Step back in time at the Terry’s sweet shop, the Cocoa Temperance Room and the famous cobbled Kirkgate. Crossing Skeldergate Bridge towards Terry Avenue takes you over the River Ouse which brought the raw ingredients into the city for chocolate making.
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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. With the whole production process fully observable the company celebrate the origins of their ingredients and have a passion for reigniting the lost art of chocolate making in York.
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Goddards - National Trust
Venture a little further out of town onto Tadcaster Road to find Goddards, which was the home of Noel Terry, of the famous Terry’s of York chocolate firm. The house is open to the public, and you can discover the story of the famous family and life at the chocolate factory. Designed in the Arts and Crafts style, the house is complemented by beautiful gardens.
10
Florian Poirot
Nestled in the Famous Shambles, UK Pastry Champion, Florian Poirot selects the best ingredients in the world and magically turn them into world class Macarons, Chocolates, Snacks and Desserts in our shop.
Award winning treats await you, whether you would like a "Café Gourmand" to sit in or Macarons to take away, you will always be welcomed with a smile in our café or shop.
Excite your senses with a little flavour of France in the UK. Enjoy!
UK Pastry Champion, Winner of the Sugar Prize at the World Pastry Cup.
11
Shambles Market
Shambles Market is your ultimate destination for a diverse range of shopping needs. From exquisite quality gifts and fresh flowers to artisan crafts and stylish handbags, Shambles Market offers a delightful variety of choices.
Moreover, if you're a food enthusiast, don't miss the vibrant Shambles Food Court, located at the heart of the market, where you can savour a delectable array of street food delights.
Experience it all at Shambles Market, open 7 days a week!
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Hotel Indigo, York
Inviting and stylish, Hotel Indigo York offers a uniquely local experience. The four-star boutique hotel celebrates the city’s rich neighbourhood stories through its impeccably stylish and fun design.
Book onto their chocolate-inspired rooms with their panelled walls reminiscent of a chocolate bar to rooms with exposed brick, mirroring the city walls!
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Even More To Explore
- Terry's Shop: Stroll along to St Helen’s Square, where you can still see what was an elegant Terry’s Chocolate Shop; the name is still quite visible. Terry’s original factory lay behind the shop which now houses Impossible Wunder Bar and Tea Room.
- All Saints Church: Call in at All Saints Church on Pavement for some quiet reflection and gaze at the stained glass window, commemorating Mary Ann Craven of confectionery fame and paid for by her children. To the right, is the JORVIK Viking Centre, located in Coppergate on the original spot of Mary Ann Craven’s factory.
- 28 Pavement: Stop at 28 Pavement (Pizza Hut). This was the Rowntree’s store established by Joseph Rowntree senior. In 1858, the team of apprentices working in the Rowntree’s grocers included famous names such as Mr George Cadbury, alongside J.S. Rowntree. Don’t miss the Civic Trust Blue Plaque.
- Walmgate & Fossgate: Onto Fossgate, where Mary Tuke’s original grocer’s shop once stood and where the Rowntree dynasty had its roots when apprentice and Mary’s fellow Quaker Henry Isaac Rowntree acquired the Cocoa business from her descendants.
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More Cafes and Gift Shops
Need more chocolate? York is filled with cafes, ice cream parlours, and patisseries to satisfy your sweet tooth. Explore just a handful of local chocolate businesses below:
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