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Blue Badge Guide: why the town of Barnard Castle is great for groups
Blue Badge Guide Tom Keating on group friendly attractions in and around Barnard Castle in County Durham.
Ahead of World Chocolate Day on 7th July, we put together some ideas for planning a delicious day out that’s themed all around chocolate, treats, sweets and ice cream.
1. Chocolate Ecstasy Tours, based in Mayfair, runs a number of guided tours that range in theme from ice cream in Soho to all-chocolate treats tours around Covent Garden. Hot chocolate, samples of chocolate, ice cream, brownie, gelato and cocoa beans can be expected. Private tours cater up to 14 people with one guide or groups of up to 24 if you are happy for the group to be split into two separate groups for part of the tour.
2. Dewer’s Aberfeldy Distillery in Perthshire has launched a new Whisky and Chocolate Tasting Tour, which can be exclusively booked by groups. A distillery visit culminates with samples of three fine whiskies paired with artisan dark chocolates. The Whisky and Chocolate Tour lasts for two hours. Group bookings for 12 or more people should be made by calling 01887-822010.
Pictured: Dewers Aberfeldy - the new whisky and chocolate tasting experience.
3. Take a guided tour through the history of chocolate at York’s Chocolate Story (lead image). You’ll discover chocolate’s origins, how to make it, and how to taste it like an expert. Plus, groups can uncover a host of surprising secrets and fascinating facts behind York’s greatest chocolate products. Bookings of 15 people or more are eligible for special discounted rates.
4. At Cadbury World in Birmingham 15 or more people can enter for discounted rates. You can learn how to make your favourite confectionery and uncover the story of Cadbury chocolate as well as watch chocolatiers demonstrate how they make some British classics. Groups can also opt for the Memory Lane tour, which combines a fully guided heritage tour around Cadbury World and an informative talk about Bourneville and Cadbury.
Pictured: Visitors at Cadbury World.
5. In Yorkshire just outside Bridlington, groups can take a self-guided factory tour of John Bull Confectioners - famous for making rock and chocolate. Promising a treat for all your senses, you can experience manufacturing first-hand by making your own chocolate lolly and hear the history of the area’s premier confectioners. Groups of 20 or more are advised to pre-book.
