Follow the sweet trail in York, England's chocolate capital 

Ever wondered how Yorkie bars got their name? Among York’s various claims to fame — which include the cobbled Shambles lane and a two-mile ring of medieval walls, both key elements of the city’s latest bid for UNESCO World Heritage status — it also bills itself as the Chocolate City.

Confectionery giant Terry’s was founded in the city as a sweet shop in 1767 and then Rowntree’s followed in 1862. The city still produces millions of chocolate bars a day,  including KitKats and Aeros.

And Yorkie bars? The name dates back to 1976, when Rowntree’s decided to honour the city by naming a new chocolate bar after it (other names being mooted were Rations and Boulevard, so you’d have to say they got that one right).

Lovers of the sweet stuff have various ways of celebrating the city’s connections. There’s a five-day chocolate festival on Parliament Street each Easter, as well as numerous artisan makers producing small-batch chocolate throughout the year. There’s also a dedicated York Chocolate Trail, which visits key points of interest around the city. We’ve picked out six here.  

1. Impossible Wonderbar & Tea Rooms

Set in part of the original Terry’s of York factory, this bar and cafe has stayed true to the building’s heritage. The coffee it serves incorporates notes of chocolate, while three of its signature cocktails contain chocolate, including a gin-based tipple inspired by Terry’s Chocolate Orange. 

2. York’s Chocolate Story

Guided tours take you on a journey from a replica of the original Rowntree’s grocery shop to the craft of the modern chocolatier. You’ll also find a cafe and shop on site, with a dizzying array of different flavours on sale, such as rhubarb gin chocolate. 

3. Monk Bar Chocolatiers

A longstanding York chocolatier, Monk Bar focuses on small batches of fine, handmade chocolates. The results tend to look as good as they taste. Everything’s made on the premises and Monk Bar draws regular plaudits for its ‘chocolate shots’ — melted chocolate served in a chocolate cup, making for messy consumption. 

4. York Cocoa Works

Dedicated to dealing directly with farmers and traders, York Cocoa Works operates under the principle that ‘chocolate can’t really taste good if it doesn’t do good’. The approach is reflected in the quality of the chocolates made at its Castlegate factory. Watch it being made, join a tasting tour or sign up for one of its chocolate masterclasses. 

5. Cocoa Joe’s

This specialist maker concocts hot and cold chocolate-based drinks, made to order from solid pieces of high-quality chocolate. Once you’ve selected your chunk of choice, it can be turned into a hot chocolate, an iced chocolate or a mocha.

6. Bettys Café Tea Rooms

Bettys was the brainchild of a young Swiss chocolatier who came to England seeking his fortune. More than a century on, the brand is still known for its chocolate gift boxes, cakes, hampers and afternoon teas.