New trail: Discover York’s chocolate heritage

The city of York is inviting groups to explore its rather delicious history following the launch of a dedicated chocolate trail.

The trail will incorporate rivers, railways and city streets and will allow you to discover how these, along with other factors, brought chocolate to York and to the world.

The chocolate trail

The chocolate trail is a self-led tour of York which takes you to all the iconic locations that have links to chocolate. 

The trail will teach you about York and its chocolate story throughout history including information about pioneers and famous confectionary.

Follow the York chocolate trail and you and your group will discover how chocolate has shaped York over the years as well, and will include visits to a range of themed cafés and individual chocolate shops that can be found throughout the city.

Places along the trail

The Visitors Information Centre will be your starting point, with views of York Minster – which was the only free trade area in the city of the 18th century that drew international confections to the area. 

From here, you’ll visit: Terry's Shop & Tea Room; Mansion House; Castle Museum; Rowntree's Park; Fairfax House; All Saints Church; Fossgate; Merchant Adventurers' Hall; and 28 Pavement. 

You’ll complete your trail at the visitor attraction York’s Chocolate Story, which tells the story of York’s chocolate through displays and collections, from its American roots to present day. Visitors can explore how chocolate is made as well as sample some sweet treats.

Further information

York is known as the home of chocolate in Britain and whilst other northern cities throughout focused on wool, cotton and steel, York put its energy into the sweets sector and gradually became known as the city built from chocolate.

The chocolate trail map can be downloaded on the Visit York website or by clicking this link. 

For more information, visit www.visityork.org/chocolate/chocolate-trail.