Event Type: Guided Tour

From Caribbean shores to York’s historic heart!

Discover the fascinating connection between chocolate and rum on this unique tasting experience at York’s Chocolate Story. Both rich in flavour and history, chocolate and rum share deep roots in equatorial climates and Caribbean culture – and now, they come together in a tour like no other!

Guided Tasting Journey

Embark on an immersive tour as you sample five handpicked premium rums from local distiller Hooting Owl, each expertly paired with delicious chocolates to highlight their complementary notes. Along the way, our knowledgeable guides will reveal the fascinating stories behind these indulgent delights – from York’s iconic chocolate-making heritage to rum’s global journey from sugarcane to celebrated spirit.

Rum Samples:

• Mocha Rum: An appealingly amber coloured dark rum despite actually being a flavoured white rum. It comes complete with warming flavour notes of chocolate, coffee and toasted marshmallow.
• Coconut Rum: A tropical vibrancy with a spicy coconut finish. This elegantly spiced cane rum is extremely smooth and velvety, featuring coconut, all spice berries and vanilla tones.
• Tipsy Toad Dark Rum: Many of today’s rums are bold, spicy and dark – exactly what you need as a base for rum cocktails or mixed drinks. Tipsy Toad utilises hawthorn berries, sarsaparilla and tonka beans.
• Hooting Owl Dark Rum: Fine Guyanese rum with a Hooting Owl twist – a secret recipe of botanicals, steeped and redistilled to create a unique, smooth, artisan dark rum.
• A Mystery Rum: A surprise rum as the final pairing.

Chocolate-Making

Your experience ends on a deliciously interactive note where you’ll pipe your own chocolate bar and watch a master chocolatier make rum-filled chocolates, then taste the results for yourself!

Book your tour today!

Find out more about Hooting Owl – the only distillery located within York’s historic walls!

A SWEET deal for York Locals!

This January, we’re celebrating York’s rich chocolate heritage with an exclusive 20% off our Classic Guided Tour for York locals! Use code LOCALJAN20 to claim your discount – it’s valid for the entire booking, not just per person. All you need is for the person who booked to bring photo ID showing a York postcode on arrival. It’s that simple!

Let’s celebrate everything York has to offer and dive into the city’s rich chocolate history together.

Explore chocolate’s journey from its ancient origins in the rainforests of Central America to the iconic treats crafted right here in York, like the world-famous Terry’s Chocolate Orange and KitKat. Our expert guides will lead you through engaging storytelling and interactive exhibits that connect chocolate’s global history with York’s vibrant past.

Craft, Taste, and Indulge:
Get hands-on with chocolate and create your own chocolate lolly! Personalise your design with a selection of chocolate toppings and package your creation ready to take home. Savour the experience with plenty of chocolate samples along the way, and even watch a live demonstrations by our skilled chocolatiers!

Tour Highlights:

• Explore York’s Chocolate Heritage: Learn why York is celebrated as the Chocolate City, home to legendary chocolate-making families.
• Craft Your Own Chocolate Lolly: Enjoy a hands-on experience and watch a live chocolatier demonstration.
• Taste a Variety of Chocolate Samples: Enjoy chocolate in its purest form, sample iconic York treats, and indulge in freshly made creations by our chocolatiers.

Wrap up your visit with a trip to our café and gift shop, where you can indulge in a variety of delectable chocolate treats and delightful drinks.

Book now!

Get ready for a festive adventure on Santa’s Christmas Chocolate Tour! This guided journey takes you through the ages of chocolate, revealing York’s rich heritage with each stop. Along the way, enjoy delicious chocolate samples, and meet Santa in his workshop, where you’ll create your own Christmas-themed chocolate treats.

Explore York’s chocolate heritage!

Discover why York is celebrated as the Chocolate City: home to legendary chocolate-making families and iconic sweet treats. As you travel through time, you’ll learn how York became a world-renowned hub for chocolate, with each room revealing a new chapter in this sweet story.

Meet Santa & make chocolate chocolate treats!

Midway through your adventure, the excitement peaks as you head down to Santa’s chocolate workshop. Here, children will have the chance to meet Santa and craft their very own Christmas-themed chocolate lolly – a sweet souvenir to cap off this magical experience. Kids will also receive a Christmas present from Santa in a meet & greet style experience.

Throughout the tour, you’ll sample a variety of chocolates in their purest form, along with iconic York treats and freshly made creations by our skilled chocolatiers.

Book Your Tour Today!

Spaces are limited for this exclusive holiday experience, so don’t wait! Book your Santa’s Christmas Chocolate Tour today and give your family the gift of unforgettable memories, delicious treats, and a magical encounter with Santa.

Sip, Savour & Explore!

Step into a world of indulgence with our exclusive Chocolate & Gin Tour at York’s Chocolate Story. This one-of-a-kind experience, crafted for adults, invites you to explore the rich histories and intricate flavours of two of the world’s most beloved indulgences: chocolate and gin. Whether you’re a chocolate connoisseur, a gin enthusiast, or simply seeking a unique experience in York, this tour promises to tantalise your taste buds and expand your knowledge in a fun, interactive setting.

Guided Tasting Journey
Embark on a sensory journey as you sample four premium gins, each expertly paired with a selection of chocolates. Our knowledgeable guides will walk you through the origins and history of both gin and chocolate, sharing fascinating stories and teaching you the art of tasting these exquisite delights. From the beginnings of chocolate confectionery in York to the rise of gin as a celebrated spirit, you’ll gain new insights into how these treats have evolved over the centuries.

Sample Selection:

• Hooting Owl Signature Gin: Paired with Rowntree’s first-ever chocolate, this pairing celebrates the humble beginnings of York’s confectionery legacy.
• Chocolate Orange Gin: Complemented by a slice of Terry’s Chocolate Orange, this duo pays homage to one of York’s most iconic chocolate treats.
• Sicilian Lemon Gin: Paired with a sweet treat inspired by York’s famous confectionery, this combination is a nostalgic nod to classic flavours.
• Mystery Gin: Enjoy a seasonal surprise with this final pairing, offering a delightful twist on traditional gin and chocolate pairings.

Chocolate-Making 
Your tour concludes with a hands-on chocolate-making session. Under the guidance of our expert chocolatiers, you’ll craft your own bespoke chocolate mendiants to take home, using high-quality dark or milk chocolate. Personalise your creation with intricate designs and transfer sheets, making it the perfect edible souvenir of your visit.

Interactive Demonstrations
Witness the magic of chocolate-making in action as our chocolatiers demonstrate how to create gin-flavored filled chocolates. Learn how the rich, complex notes of gin can be infused into decadent chocolate truffles, and take home tips to try out in your own kitchen.

This tour is perfect for anyone over 18 who loves chocolate, enjoys a good gin, or simply wants to learn more about the fascinating histories of these two beloved treats. Whether you’re a repeat visitor to York’s Chocolate Story or new to the experience, the Chocolate & Gin Tour offers something fresh and exciting for everyone.

Book Your Tour Today!
Don’t miss out on this unique and indulgent experience. Spots are limited, so be sure to secure your place on the Chocolate & Gin Tour now and treat yourself to an unforgettable journey through York’s sweet and spirited history.

Adult tour tickets now only £13.50 (was £18.50)

Looking for a unique summer experience with friends or loved ones? Look no further! At York’s Chocolate Story, we’re offering an exclusive summer discount: Adult tickets are now just £13.50 (down from £18.50). And as an added bonus, child tickets are also available at a reduced price of only £10 (previously £16).

This summer, dive into an immersive and enriching journey through the world of chocolate. Discover the fascinating history of York’s renowned confectionery industry and hear captivating stories about the city’s legendary chocolate-making families. From the origins of iconic treats like Kit Kat and Terry’s Chocolate Orange to the secrets behind their creation, this tour offers a deeper understanding of York’s chocolate heritage.

The tour includes hands-on chocolate making…

The experience includes a hands-on chocolate-making session where you’ll craft your own personalised chocolate lollies and learn the art of tasting chocolate like a true connoisseur.

End your visit with a live demonstration from our skilled chocolatiers and indulge in a variety of exquisite chocolate treats and drinks at our café and gift shop.

Don’t miss this exceptional summer offer! Book your discounted tickets online now and enjoy a memorable and delicious adventure.

Kids’ Classic Guided Tour tickets now only £10

Are you looking for an unforgettable summer adventure for the whole family? Look no further! At York’s Chocolate Story, we’re excited to offer a fantastic summer deal: Kids’ Guided Tour tickets are now just £10 each (down from £16)! And as an added bonus, adult tickets are also available at a reduced price of only £13.50 (previously £18.50).

This summer, give your family the chance to embark on a magical journey through the world of chocolate! Our guided tour is not just an educational experience, but an immersive adventure that will captivate both kids and adults alike.

You’ll start by uncovering the ancient origins of chocolate and how it evolved into the delightful treat we love today. You’ll discover the stories behind York’s famous chocolate-making families and how they created the beloved treats you love today – think Kit Kat and Terry’s Chocolate Orange, among many others.

The tour includes hands-on chocolate making…

The adventure continues with a hands-on chocolate-making session where everyone can create their own personalized chocolate lollies, learn the art of chocolate making, and discover how to taste chocolate like a true connoisseur.

To top it all off, you’ll enjoy a live demonstration from our talented chocolatiers and a visit to our café and gift shop, where you can indulge in a range of delectable chocolate treats and delightful drinks.

Don’t miss out on this sweet online summer offer! Book your tickets now and secure your spot for an extraordinary chocolate adventure!

Is Your Name Terry, Rowntree, or Craven?

We are thrilled to announce a special promotion celebrating the iconic founding families of York’s confectionery industry. For a limited time, we’re offering FREE Guided Tour admission to anyone with the name Terry, Rowntree, or Craven.

What links the Guided Tour to the founding families?

Our Guided Tour delves into the rich history of the iconic brands that have sweetened our lives for generations! From the Chocolate Orange pioneers, Terry’s, to Fruit Pastilles creators Rowntree’s and the boiled sweet manufacturer Craven’s, there is lots to discover about York’s rich chocolate heritage. The tour also includes chocolate tasting, chocolate making and a live chocolate demonstration from our on-site chocolatiers! Find out more details about the what the Guided Tour has to offer here.

How to Claim Your Free Admission?

To secure your free admission to York’s Chocolate Story, simply walk in and head to the admissions desk. Present your photo ID, and our team will confirm your details. Once verified, we’ll book a time slot of your choice for the Guided Tour, subject to availability. It’s that easy! Terms and conditions apply; see below for details.

We can’t wait to see you!