The city of York was the birthplace of the KitKat, Smarties, and Chocolate Orange.
The tour takes place on the exact site where Mary Tuke opened her first grocery shop in 1725, which later evolved into the Rowntree confectionery empire.
The museum features a 'chocolate kitchen' where visitors can hand-make their own chocolate lollipops.
During the tour, guests learn that early chocolate was consumed primarily as a bitter medicinal beverage.
The Rowntree family were prominent Quakers, which influenced their business practices and the way they treated their employees in York.
The attraction uses 'smell-o-vision' style technology to simulate the scents of a working Victorian chocolate factory.
York's Chocolate Story is an interactive museum located in King's Square that documents the history of York's confectionery industry. The guided tour tracks the transformation of cocoa from its origins to the invention of iconic chocolate bars. Visitors learn about the influential families, including the Rowntrees and Terrys, who established the city's global reputation for chocolate production. The experience includes a live demonstration of traditional chocolate-making techniques by professional chocolatiers. Interactive stations allow guests to participate in the manufacturing process and sample various products throughout the tour. The facility is situated on the site where the original Rowntree factory once operated in the city center. It serves as an educational hub focused on the social and economic impact of the chocolate industry on York. The museum provides insights into the technological advancements in mass-producing confectionery during the 19th and 20th centuries.
The vintage-style chocolate kitchen demonstration area.
Book your tour slot online in advance, as guided group sizes are strictly limited and popular times sell out quickly.
Stay for the live demonstration at the end of the tour, as you get to keep the chocolate you customize yourself.
Allow time to visit the ground-floor cafe and shop, which offers specialized items not sold elsewhere.
Do not show up without a pre-booked time slot, as walk-in availability is often non-existent during peak holiday periods.
Open daily throughout the year, except for December 25th and 26th.
