York's Chocolate Story

The moment you walk into this converted Victorian factory in York, you're hit with that unmistakable smell of chocolate - proper nostalgic stuff. It's housed in one of the old Terry's factory buildings, which feels right given that's where they made some of Britain's most famous chocolate bars.

You work your way through galleries showing the history of chocolate, from the cocoa bean right through to the Victorians who made York a chocolate-making powerhouse. There's a decent amount of interactive stuff that keeps kids engaged - they can grind cocoa beans, learn the manufacturing process, and inevitably ask endless questions about why they can't just eat chocolate all day. The vintage packaging and old adverts are genuinely interesting, even if you're not mad about history.

The highlight, without fail, is the chance to make your own chocolate truffle at the end. It's a bit of theatre, but kids absolutely lose their minds over it, and frankly, so do most adults.

Allow a solid two hours if you're being thorough. It's not enormous, but it rewards a proper wander rather than a quick dash through. Admission isn't free, so budget accordingly. Families with children under ten will get the most out of it; older teens might find it a touch slow unless they're chocolate obsessives.

If you're camping at Nurseries Caravan Park or Wagtail Park nearby, this makes an excellent rainy-day option that doesn't feel like a compromise. It's a short drive into York's centre from either site.