Indulge Yourself in the home of chocolate

Begin at the VIC to pick up your trail leaflet, with splendid views of York Minster. The Minster was incidentally the only free trade area in the city in the 18th Century drawing international confectioners to this area.

Visit St Helen' s Square, where you can still see what was an elegant Terry' s Chocolate Shop and Tea Room; the name is still quite visible. Terry' s original factory lay behind the shop.

In 1914, the Lord Mayor and Sheriff sent a bar of Rowntree' s chocolate to every York soldier fighting in WWI – one of the original tins with the chocolate bar still inside is on display.

Arrive at York' s renowned Castle Museum which exhibits many of the brand names that made York world famous for confectionery. Step back in time at the Terry' s sweet shop and Cocoa Temperance Room.

A gift to the City by Rowntree' s in 1921 as a memorial to the cocoa workers who fell during WWI. Listed gates were added to the park for those who died in WWII. Bronze plaques within the Lych Gate honour both events.

Houses the Noel Terry collection of English furniture and clocks from the family home on Tadcaster Road. The collection was given to York Civic Trust in 1980 following his death – Noel was great grandson of Joseph, founder of the Terry confectionery business.

Gaze at the stained glass window, commemorating Mary Craven of confectionery fame and paid for by her offspring. Nearby is the JORVIK Viking Centre, located in Coppergate on the original spot of Mary Craven' s shop and factory.

Onto Fossgate, where Mary Tuke' s original grocer' s shop once stood and where the Rowntree dynasty started off in chocolate when apprentice and Mary' s distant cousin Henry Isaac Rowntree acquired the cocoa business from her.

Home to the Company of Merchant Adventurers, which controlled most trade and industry in York. As a woman, Mary could only join the guild as the daughter or widow of a member. Mary was neither and therefore fined and threatened with prison.

(Now Pizza Hut). This was the Rowntree' s store established by Joseph Rowntree senior, a Quaker from Scarborough. In 1858, the team of apprentices working at Rowntree' s grocers included Mr George Cadbury and Mr Lewis Fry, learning their craft alongside J.S. Rowntree.

Opening 31 March 2012 this delicious new attraction will take you on a mouth-watering journey through the story of chocolate and confectionery. From its Central American roots to our present love affair with all things sweet explore from bean to bar how chocolate is made and sample sweet treats too!