A chocoholic’s guide to Britain
Or how to have a sweet getaway
What, you may be thinking, another newsletter about chocolate? Well, yes, last week I brought you a guide to the best Easter egg hunts, but this week is for the adults, for those who like to savour their sweet treats.
This year is the 200th anniversary of Cadbury’s and so what better excuse than another newsletter about the delights of chocolate and where to find the best in Britain. As Wonka sang, put that in your pocke-let.
Visit Cadbury World
First on the list has to be where it all began – Cadbury’s in Bourneville, Birmingham. Celebrating its 200thanniversary this year, John Cadbury opened his first shop in Birmingham in 1824, serving drinking chocolate. Cadbury World is part chocolate-making tour, part-museum and part-attraction and is a fun family day out, with rides, shows and play areas. Over Easter they also have an egg hunt. Visit cadburyworld.co.uk
Take a chocolate tour of London
If you are serious about your chocolate, then give yourself, or a loved-one, a gourmet treat with chocolate expert Jennifer Earle. She runs Chocolate Ecstasy Tours of London, taking in the city’s best spots for hot chocolate, pastries, ice-cream and chocolate. Visit chocolateecstasytours.com
Try a chocolate workshop
If you want to get hands-on, have a go at making your own chocolate with a workshop such as MyChocolate, in London and Manchester. You can create the perfect truffle and choctail. Visit mychocolate.co.uk. There are chocolate workshops all over the country - Virgin Experiences has a long list here and for anyone in Kent, my favourite is at Temper Temper, near Tunbridge Wells.
Go gourmet chocolate shopping
If you want a really special box of chocolates, then head to Charbonnel et Walker. This historic brand has a royal warrant from the late Queen and former customers include everyone from Noel Coward to Princess Diana. Visit its store in London’s Old Bond St, Canary Wharf, Broadgate, Harrods or Selfridge’s and Victoria Quarter, Leeds. Visit charbonnelchocolates.com. Or head to Fortnum and Mason in Piccadilly – also royal warrant holders - and wander its lovely ground floor stacked with boxes of truffles and other delights. Visit fortnumandmason.com
Check into a chocolate hotel
Turn your chocolate habit into a mini-break at a chocolate hotel. The Chocolate Box Hotel in Bournemouth, is the newest chocolate-themed hotel from the family who opened the world’s first chocolate hotel in the seaside resort. Visit thechocolateboxhotel.co.uk
Enjoy a Charlie and the Chocolate Factory afternoon tea
I’m going to book this one. Go Wonka-bonkers with this fabulous afternoon tea at One Aldwych. The Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Afternoon Tea features fizzy lifting juice, snozzberry jam and chocolate milkshake mixed by a waterfall. Visit onealdwych.com