The most delicious tour ever at York Minster!

Easter Monday 9 April

If you have successfully given up chocolate for Lent, York Minster is offering an opportunity to celebrate with the most delicious tour it has ever hosted! On Easter Monday (9 April), visitors are invited to take a Tower Chocolatada tour to explore York Minster’s role in the city’s chocolate heritage.

The Tower Chocolatada tour is part of the York Chocolate Festival, created by York’s premier chocolate historian, and owner of York Cocoa House, Sophie Jewett. The tour starts with a delicious chocolate beverage, made to a traditional recipe, to fortify visitors before they tackle the 275 steps up to the top of York Minster’s Central Tower – the highest point in the city.

“Historically, chocolate may have actually played more of a part in Lent than Easter itself. Before chocolate eggs became a common fixture for Easter celebrations, it was used during Lent to provide fortification for gentlemen who were observing the traditional Lent fasting,” explains Sophie. “The taster drink is an example of this fortifying drink, so participants can enjoy it with no guilty conscience!”

Once at the top, the tour participants will be given a number of delicious chocolate treats to sample as the tour guides point out some of the landmarks around the city that have contributed to making York the Chocolate City.

Sophie’s research revealed that York Minster may have played a key role in encouraging the taste for chocolate which led to the establishment of a chocolate industry in the city. In the 17thcentury, when York Corporation strictly controlled which traders were allowed to sell their wares in the city, it was the free trade area around York Minster that permitted a Parisian confectioner to trade in the city raising the standard and demand for luxury confectionary in York, beyond the reach of the Corporation. As York Minster regularly attracted visits by heads of state as well as a multitude of pilgrims and tourists, it soon became a hub for the trading of high class luxury products.

Each of the chocolates that tour participants will sample have been inspired by the treats offered by the 17thcentury Parisian trader.

The Tower Chocolatada tours are running each hour from 3.30pm to 6.30pm on Easter Monday, priced at £12.00 for adults and £6.00 for children (the Tower Chocolatada Tour is unsuitable for under 8s). Participants should have a good level of fitness to face the 275 steps.

To book, please visit www.yorkminster.org or visit the Box Office in York Minster during opening hours.

ENDS  

For further media information, please contact:

Jay Commins

Footprint

Tel: 0113 251 5698

Mob: 07810 546567

Email: jay@fim.org.uk

or

Lisa Sinclair

PR Officer, York Minster

Tel: 0844 939 0014

Email: lisas@yorkminster.org