We went to Yorkshire to make chocolate pizzas, and Cyrus took the job very seriously.

From melted chocolate and marshmallows to a fetching blue hairnet, our visit to Inspired Chocolate in Leyburn gave Cyrus his first taste of chocolate-making and the rest of us an excuse to explore the Yorkshire Dales.

Disclosure: Our visit to Inspired Chocolate was arranged as part of a press collaboration. The experience was complimentary, but all opinions and observations are my own.

A family road trip in search of chocolate

There are few things that will persuade me to spend a couple of hours in the car quite as readily as the promise of good chocolate. Add a workshop for Cyrus and a trip through the Yorkshire Dales, and I am happy to make a day of it.

Our destination was Inspired Chocolate in Leyburn, North Yorkshire, a chocolate-making business offering handmade confectionery and workshops for visitors. We’d arranged for Cyrus to try making his own chocolate pizza, which sounded like an excellent way to spend an afternoon.

The journey from Newcastle was less straightforward than we’d hoped. We had snacks, drinks and a SatNav, but there were a few wrong turns and a discussion about whether we’d already passed the road we needed, which we had.

H is an engineer, so naturally he approaches directions with the confidence of someone who understands complicated systems. I tend to look for signs and recognise landmarks. Neither method was very successful that day, although we eventually found ourselves in Leyburn with our marriage intact.

By the time we arrived, Cyrus was ready to get started. I was ready for coffee and something containing cocoa.

In Cyrus’s case, an unexpectedly serious approach to chocolate pizza-making, a lot of concentration and a cardboard box covered in colourful drawings.

Inside Inspired Chocolate in Leyburn

Inspired Chocolate has a shop selling handmade chocolates, truffles and gifts, alongside a working production area where visitors can see some of the equipment involved in making confectionery.

The first thing that caught my attention was the display of chocolates. Glass cabinets were filled with rows of colourful truffles and handmade sweets, while shelves held chocolate bars, gift boxes and seasonal creations. There were chocolate shoes, which I thought were rather clever, although I couldn’t decide whether I would want to eat one or keep it on display.

Cyrus was interested in practically everything. He moved from one cabinet to another, inspecting the chocolates and asking questions about what he could see. The shop had the sort of selection that makes choosing a single treat difficult, particularly when you’re a small child and every shelf appears to offer something better than the last.

I liked the attention given to the presentation. Some of the chocolates were decorated with flowers, while others were arranged in gift boxes or wrapped individually. The chocolate shoes were an obvious talking point, but the smaller handmade pieces were equally appealing. There was plenty to look at before we even reached the workshop.

We also had a look through the windows into the production area. Stainless-steel workstations, chocolate-making equipment, moulds and trays gave us an idea of what happens behind the scenes.

Cyrus was fascinated by the machinery. He stood looking through the door, trying to work out what everything was for. It was a good opportunity to explain that the chocolate we buy in shops has to be made somewhere, and that there is rather more to the process than simply pouring it into a wrapper.

I enjoyed seeing the working side of the business, too. When you’re buying handmade chocolates, it’s easy to concentrate on the finished product without thinking about the preparation, skill and equipment involved.

Where does chocolate come from?

One of the displays explained where cocoa grows around the world. A large map showed cocoa-producing regions, including West Africa, Ecuador and Papua New Guinea, with information about the conditions needed to grow cacao trees.

Cocoa comes from the seeds of the cacao tree, which grows in warm, humid regions close to the equator. The seeds are fermented, dried and processed before they eventually become the chocolate we recognise.

Cyrus had the chance to examine a cocoa pod while looking at the information. I liked this part of the visit because it gave him something physical to connect with what he was learning. A chocolate bar is familiar enough, but a cocoa pod is rather different.

Whether he took away a lasting understanding of global cocoa production is debatable. He was still young, and there was a chocolate workshop waiting for him. Nevertheless, I think children benefit from seeing where their food comes from, even when they are more interested in eating it than discussing its origins.

The display also gave us something to talk about afterwards. Chocolate is such an everyday product that we rarely consider the farmers and producers responsible for its ingredients.

Cyrus makes his first chocolate pizza

The chocolate pizza-making workshop was the main reason for our visit, and it didn’t disappoint.

Cyrus was given a protective apron and a bright blue hairnet before taking his place at the table. The hairnet was quite a sight. He looked like a very junior member of the catering industry, although I don’t think he was especially impressed with his new appearance.

Each place had a tray with a circular guide for the chocolate, along with decorations for the finished pizza. There were small containers of sweets, marshmallows and other toppings, which Cyrus examined with considerable interest.

H helped him with the first stage, pouring melted chocolate from a jug onto the tray. Cyrus watched closely as the mixture formed a glossy pool in the centre. He leaned forward, following the chocolate as it spread, and waited for instructions about what to do next.

They then worked together to spread the chocolate across the circular guide. H handled the more awkward parts while Cyrus watched and helped where he could.

I was surprised by how patient Cyrus was. At that age, he could be easily distracted if something required him to sit still for more than a few minutes. Yet here he was, concentrating on the chocolate as though he’d been given an important job. Of course, the fact that he would eventually get to eat the results probably helped.

The child who could usually find something else to do after five minutes was suddenly prepared to devote his full attention to spreading melted chocolate across a tray. I suspect the promise of eating it afterwards had something to do with that.

Decorating a chocolate pizza

Once the base was ready, Cyrus could decorate it with white chocolate, sweets and sprinkles.

He started with a piping bag, carefully squeezing white chocolate onto the surface. His first attempts produced a few loops and lines, followed by increasingly enthusiastic squiggles. He seemed pleased with the results, even when the chocolate didn’t go quite where he’d intended.

I resisted the temptation to interfere. As a parent, it can be difficult to watch your child do something slowly when you know you could finish it in seconds. But this was his pizza, and there was no reason for it to look like something from a professional confectionery display.

He added colourful sweets around the edges and scattered sprinkles across the middle. Every decoration was considered before being placed, although the overall design became rather more ambitious as the workshop progressed.

It was lovely watching him make his own decisions. He didn’t need us to tell him which colours to use or where the sweets should go. He was perfectly capable of deciding for himself, thank you very much.

The finished pizza was unmistakably homemade, which was exactly how it should have been.

A pizza box with an unusual design

The workshop didn’t end with the chocolate. Cyrus was also given a cardboard pizza box to decorate, along with coloured pens.

This turned out to be another favourite part of the afternoon. He sat at the table drawing across the lid, adding lines, circles and shapes in green, orange and other colours. I’m not entirely sure what the picture represented, but he was clearly satisfied with it. I found myself watching him and thinking about how much children enjoy being allowed to make something without an adult directing every stage.

At home, we have the usual collection of toys, books and electronic distractions. Like most parents, I rely on the iPad when I need to finish some work or get dinner ready. I’m not interested in pretending otherwise.

Yet here was Cyrus, completely occupied with a cardboard box and a handful of pens. There was no screen involved, and he wasn’t asking what we were doing next. When he’d finished, he had his own chocolate pizza and a decorated box to carry it home in. He looked thoroughly pleased with himself.

We took a family photograph at the table, with Cyrus sitting between us and his creation in front of him. It’s one of those pictures I like because it reminds me of what we’d been doing, rather than just recording where we’d been.

A little Persian connection

Chocolate is popular in our household, although H and I have slightly different tastes. He grew up in Iran, where offering guests tea and something sweet is a familiar part of hospitality. It’s a custom that has become part of our family life, and one I am very happy to maintain.

The Persian word for chocolate is shokolaat (شکلات), which Cyrus has heard alongside the English word since he was small. With a British mum and Persian dad, he has grown up around two languages and a mixture of food traditions.

Iran has its own confectionery industry, with Tabriz particularly well known for chocolate and sweets. Although the chocolate-making workshop was a thoroughly Yorkshire experience, it gave us another opportunity to talk about something from both sides of our family. I enjoy these small cultural connections. They don’t always involve big celebrations or traditional meals. 

For H, the workshop was an opportunity to help Cyrus make something. For Cyrus, it was an afternoon involving chocolate and sweets. I was quite content to watch them working together, take photographs and contemplate what I might buy from the shop afterwards.

Chocolate is a good treat

I have always enjoyed chocolate with a decent cup of coffee. These days, as I navigate midlife and perimenopause, I am also more conscious of how food, sleep and exercise affect my energy levels.

There is plenty of advice about what women should and shouldn’t eat in midlife. Some of it is useful, especially when it comes to maintaining a balanced diet and looking after our long-term health. Other advice can make eating feel like a complicated exercise in avoiding everything enjoyable.

Chocolate is not a treatment for hormonal symptoms, and I wouldn’t suggest otherwise. It is, however, something I enjoy. The visit also reminded me that enjoying food doesn’t always have to be about eating it. Watching chocolate being made, learning about the ingredients and seeing Cyrus create his own pizza were all part of the experience.

And if I happened to sample a few chocolates along the way, I considered that a contribution to the day’s research.

Exploring Leyburn and the Yorkshire Dales

Leyburn is a market town in Wensleydale and a useful base for exploring this part of North Yorkshire. The surrounding countryside is beautiful, with stone villages, rolling hills and the sort of views that make you wish you’d allowed more time for the journey. There are independent shops, places to eat and other attractions within driving distance, making it possible to combine a visit to Inspired Chocolate with a longer day out.

Families might also consider visiting The Forbidden Corner near Middleham, which is known for its unusual gardens, tunnels and follies. There are plenty of opportunities for walking and exploring the countryside, although how much you manage will depend on the age and enthusiasm of your children.

We have always enjoyed visiting this part of Yorkshire. It’s far enough from Newcastle to feel like a proper trip, but close enough to visit without having to organise a full holiday. For anyone wanting to stay longer, the wider Yorkshire Dales has a good selection of hotels, inns and guesthouses. We also spent time in the area around Reeth, where the scenery and traditional stone buildings give the villages much of their character.

During our time in the Dales, we also stayed at The Burgoyne Hotel in Reeth, a traditional country house hotel overlooking the village green. It made a lovely base for exploring Swaledale, and I’ve written about our experience in my review of The Burgoyne Hotel. If you’re planning to turn a visit to Inspired Chocolate into a weekend away, it’s worth considering accommodation in the surrounding villages rather than limiting yourself to Leyburn.

It is a lovely part of the country to explore, even if your SatNav occasionally disagrees about the best way to get there.

Is Inspired Chocolate worth visiting with children?

For us, the answer was yes.

The chocolate pizza-making workshop was well suited to Cyrus’s age and gave him plenty to do. He wasn’t just watching someone demonstrate how chocolate is made. He could take part, choose his decorations and make something to bring home.

The staff provided the equipment and guidance, while H was able to help with the stages that needed an adult. It felt relaxed, and Cyrus had enough time to enjoy himself without being rushed through the activity.

I also liked the opportunity to look into the production area and learn a little about cocoa. Those details made the visit more interesting than a straightforward shopping trip. The shop was another attraction, particularly if you’re looking for handmade chocolates or gifts. The selection was varied, and the more decorative creations were worth a look in their own right.

If you’re planning a visit, I would recommend checking workshop availability, age guidance and prices before travelling. Activities and opening times may change, and it would be a shame to arrive expecting a workshop only to discover that it wasn’t running that day.

For families with young children, I think the chocolate pizza-making experience is appealing.

Would we go back?

Absolutely, looking back at the photographs, I remember how carefully he worked on his pizza, how H helped him with the melted chocolate and how pleased Cyrus was with his decorated box. I also remember the hairnet, which still makes me laugh.

It was a good family day out, without needing to be anything more complicated than that. We went to Yorkshire, learned a little about chocolate, made something together and came home with a few treats. I’d happily do it again.

Next time, though, I’m choosing the route.

Inspired Chocolate, Leyburn: visitor information

Location: Leyburn Business Park, Harmby Road, Leyburn, North Yorkshire, DL8 5QA

Website: Inspired Chocolate

What to expect: Handmade chocolates, a chocolate shop and bookable chocolate-making experiences.

Workshops: Chocolate pizza-making and other activities. Check the website for current availability, prices and age guidance.

Parking: Check current on-site parking arrangements before travelling.

Best for: Families, chocolate lovers and visitors looking for a hands-on activity in the Yorkshire Dales.

Opening hours: Check the official website before visiting, as hours may vary.

Our rating reflects our experience during the press visit.

Have you tried making your own chocolate?

I’d love to know whether your children would carefully decorate their creations or eat half the toppings before they’d finished. And if you know of another good family day out in Yorkshire, do share it in the comments. I’m always looking for somewhere new to visit, particularly if there’s a decent coffee shop nearby.

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