York's Chocolate Story

York's Chocolate Story
Map
EstablishedMarch 2012 (2012-03)
LocationKing's Square, York, England
Coordinates53°57′36″N 1°04′49.5″W / 53.96000°N 1.080417°W / 53.96000; -1.080417
TypeFood and Local history museum
OwnerContinuum Attractions
Websitewww.yorkschocolatestory.com

York's Chocolate Story is a visitor attraction and chocolate museum on King's Square, in York. Opened in March 2012,[1] it shows the history of chocolate making in York, including the Rowntree's factory which opened in 1890, owned since 1988 by Nestlé.[2] The attraction also includes a detailed history of chocolate and its beginnings in modern-day Mexico and how it spread to Europe. The tour emphasizes Hernán Cortéz and the monopoly he had on the newly discovered plant. The visitor will experience a detailed history of chocolate in York with pre-recorded videos of actors portraying members of the Rowntree family and the Terry family. The tour includes a detailed explanation of how chocolate was and is made to this day including an interactive chocolate-making process where the visitor can create their own chocolate lolly. The museum also includes a wide selection of treats to purchase after the tour in the gift shop.


The attraction is located in the centre of York, in King's Square.[3] In 2018 it won gold in the Guided Tour of the Year category of the VisitEngland Awards.[4]

  1. ^ "York's Chocolate Story | A Continuum Heritage Attraction". continuumattractions.com. Retrieved 28 September 2017.
  2. ^ "Sweet history: The human stories of York's chocolate factories revealed". Yorkshire Post. Archived from the original on 29 September 2017. Retrieved 28 September 2017.
  3. ^ "York's Chocolate Story | Museum | York|North Yorkshire". visityork.org. Retrieved 28 September 2017.
  4. ^ "VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2018 winners". VisitEngland. 26 March 2018. Retrieved 21 May 2020.