York

Many travel guides will tell you about York's little streets, and its tendency to have those streets invaded by Vikings, Romans and such. It’s all true. But nowadays it's what York's community does with those little streets that really sets it apart. You'll find a crowd of independent shops, cafes and galleries, plus layer after layer of ancient architecture jostling for position. Presiding over it all is the glorious York Minster, a sandstone leviathan with immense charisma that dominates the city centre and offers fresh, weird design delights with each repeat visit. Photography by Peter Byrne and words by Russ Thorne

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Cocoa House

Address
3 Blake Street
Website
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Chocolate is pretty important to York, so much so that the air even smells of it on certain days. But if you want more than a scent of the good stuff, head for the wooden beams and old-fashioned aprons of the Cocoa House. They'll serve you a proper hot chocolate (get the chili incarnation for a real wakeup kick), truffles made with ale or blue cheese – it works – and even teach you how to make your own treats in their workshops. Don't leave without a bag of the house blend buttons.

Cocoa House
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Cocoa House
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Cocoa House
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Cocoa House
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Cocoa House
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Cocoa House
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The Golden Ball

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