Museums reviewed by parents: York's Chocolate Story

The frequent tasting opportunities (of course!), as well as the chance to have a go on the Virtual Chocolate Factory, 'toasting' and 'grinding' beans into nibs, 'tempering' chocolate and 'pouring' it into moulds, all by pushing levers and buttons and watching the effect on the virtual chocolate.

The invitation to make your very own chocolate bar (with bowls of sprinkles to choose from) was very well-received, too! 

The guided tour features a number of atmospheric sets − we loved the Central American rainforest and the talking portraits of York's most famous chocolate entrepreneurs (very Harry Potter!). The interactivity, small group size and personalised commentary from a tour guide meant that even young children were mesmerised by the experience.

Learning how to taste chocolate like a professional (the kids' equivalent of wine tasting, expressing their 'expert' views will keep them amused for ages!) and finding out more about the evolution of their favourite brands and variants (Smarties, KitKats, etc).

Watching a real chocolatier create a chocolate shell, fill it with fruit purée and then use a running-chocolate tap to close it up was also pretty entracing (especially as we were allowed to sample the results!). 

The seasonal exhibitions, packed with chocolate manufacturing memorabilia.

School holiday events are an added extra (included in the admission price), from chocolate festivals and Easter egg hunts to exhibition trails, seasonal treats and hands-on decorating activities.

The on-site cafe sells all manner of chocolate drinks and treats. There is no eating (unless you count chocolate tasting) inside the exhibit, but pedestrianised King's Square, just outside, has a few seats and walls to perch on if you want to bring snacks from home.

York's Chocolate Story is in the heart of the city centre in King's Square (top of the Shambles).

Open daily, 10am-6pm (last tour at 5pm); tours start every hour. Closed 25 December and 1 January.

Admission: Adult £9.95, Child (aged 4-15 years) £7.95, Family of 4 £29.50, Family of 5 £35.00, Under-4s free. Special offers and discounts are available if booking online; if you're planning to vist more than one York attraction it's also worth investigating the savings offered by a York Pass.

All visits are guided, so it's worth booking in advance to ensure you get a place on the tour you want.

More chocolate than you can imagine, from gourmet, bite-sized chocolates to very, very large bars. Stock up!

• Download free factsheets about the history of chocolate and its journey from bean to bar and make a no-cook chocolate tiffin.

Chocolate isn't just delicious − it's big business and working with it is a chemical (and industrial) process. Some of the topics covered on the tour will touch on the following national curriculum topics:

• Science: materials and their properties / changing state of materials
• PSHE: Fairtrade
• Design and technology

Download a Chocolate Landmark Trail (covers York city centre) before you visit to expand your child's understanding of the chocolate business and how it affected the city.

Photography: © York's Chocolate Story