Our Chocolate can be bought from our website, Factory as well as selected 3rd party independent shops. However, you will never find our Chocolates in the supermarkets I am afraid.
Great British Chocolate
Our Milk, White and Dark Chocolate is made in England with the White and Milk Chocolate also containing 100% British milk, so when buying from us you really are supporting Britain, its farmers and small business.
Better yet, the cocoa is 100% sustainable and traceable, supporting the Cocoa Horizons Program so you can be confident that your purchase is
1. Supporting Coca Farmers and their families
2. Sustainably produced
3. The highest quality Cocoa
4. Supporting Britain
History
2001 - The Little Chocolate Shop is Born
In the wake of a Foot and Mouth outbreak, a little cafe in the Mill buildings at Aysgarth falls had no visitors, so thanks to the vision of Clair Gardiner, chocolates started to be made in the basement and the Little Chocolate Shop was born.
2004 - Relocation to Leyburn
From humble beginnings, the Little Chocolate Shop outgrew the premises at Aysgarth Falls and relocated to a larger premises on the High Street.
2006 - Purpose Built Premises
Growth and success continued and in 2006, The Little Chocolate Shop still under the stewardship of Claire Gardiner moved to a brand new purpose built factory on Leyburn Business Park with a dedicated chocolate room and sweet kitchen enabling visitors to view the whole process.
2012 Founder Claire is ready for a rest
Following a lot of hard work establishing the business, founder Claire was ready for a rest and so the mantle was taken up by chocolate makers Jim and Lorraine Hogg whom also introduced a café and workshops.
2017 Richard and Yvonne Warne take the reins
Having steered the helm for 5 years, Jim and Lorraine wished to retire and in March 2017, Richard and Yvonne Warne (us), whom had a year earlier started a Hamper business took ownership.
2017 Inspired Chocolate
After a factory refit, we rebranded to Inspired Chocolate reflecting our approach to artisan chocolate making. A new dedicated workshop area was built providing excellent facilities for holding chocolate making activities and parties. Substantial investment was also made in facilities across the factory in order to ensure exemplary standards.
Is there wheelchair access?
There is level access to the main double entrance doors. Each door measures 980mm wide, with a total width exceeding 1500mm when both are open. Beyond the entrance, a further internal door leads to the reception and shop area, with a width of 850mm. An additional door provides access to the rear external decking area, also measuring 850mm in width. Access to the toilet involves passing through two doors: the first is 785mm wide, followed by a second door measuring 850mm. From the café area, there is a single step down to the outside seating area. This area includes a section of gravel before reaching the level decking. Currently, no portable ramp is available to assist with this step.
Is there a toilet onsite?
There is one unisex toilet available on site. It is accessible for wheelchair users and also includes baby changing facilities for your convenience.
Is there parking at Inspired Chocolate?
There is lots of parking directly outside our venue and we have one designated accessible parking bay.
Do you charge an entrance fee?
Its absolutely free to visit! You're very welcome to come along and watch the chocolate-making in action at no cost. If you'd like to get involved in one of our hands-on workshops, there is a fee for those. We do recommend pre-booking, as the 24 available spaces on each workshop can fill up quickly. These run daily at 11am and 2pm. Feel free to get in touch for more details!
Do you have designated quiet times?
We don’t have set quiet times, but you're very welcome to get in touch and we’ll be happy to let you know when things are a bit quieter. Just so you know, we do tend to be busier during school holidays, especially on rainy days.
Do you do special events?
We sure do! From parties to pre-arranged tours and talks for large groups, we’re happy to help make your visit extra special—just let us know in advance. And it’s not all about chocolate (though we do love it)—we’ve got our very own pizza oven on site too, so there’s plenty of tasty fun to be had!
Do you have staff on site to offer assistance?
Absolutely! Our lovely team is always happy to help—from a warm welcome (with a little chocolate treat to get you started!) to lending a hand with carrying your goodies to the car. If you ever need assistance, there’s a bell on each till to get our attention—just give it a ring! We’ll do our best to make your visit as smooth and enjoyable as possible. Just a quick note: as we’re a working factory, all children do need to be supervised by a responsible adult at all times.
Are dogs welcome?
While we absolutely love dogs, they’re not allowed inside the factory itself as we’re a working food production area. However, well-behaved dogs are very welcome in the café and on the outdoor decking area! Just a heads-up: entry with dogs is through the rear door only—not through the main factory entrance.
Is Inspired Chocolate suitable for people with Autism?
It may be enjoyable for some people with Autism, but please be aware that there are strong chocolate smells and some areas can be a bit noisy due to the working chocolate machines. Visiting us can be quite a sensory experience. If you’re looking for a quiet spot, our outdoor seating areas provide a peaceful space to relax.
Is Inspired Chocolate suitable for people with Dementia?
A visit to Inspired Chocolate can be a wonderful experience for people with dementia, as the familiar smells and tastes of chocolate often bring back comforting memories. The sensory aspects—sight, smell, and taste—provide a pleasant way to engage. Just keep in mind that the chocolate smells can be quite strong, and some areas may be a little noisy with the machines at work.
Are dietary needs catered for?
We have a delightful café onsite, and we even make our own homemade pizzas! While we strive to accommodate different dietary needs, please note that we cannot guarantee a completely allergen-free environment, as we do have nuts and gluten on site. There is always a small risk of cross-contamination.
Is Inspired Chocolate suitable for people who are deaf or with hearing loss?
Unfortunately, we don’t have a hearing loop or microphone onsite at the moment, and our videos do not have subtitles, but our friendly staff are always happy to assist you with anything you need. Just let us know how we can help!
Changing Places
The nearest Changing Places Toilet is located in the market square, behind The Golden Lion Hotel.
Accessible Accommodation
If you're looking for accessible accommodation near to Leyburn, Cottage in the Dales is a UK renowned provider, especially its award winner, 'The Dairy'.
Disclaimer: All information provided in this Access MiniGuide belongs to the business owner who manages this listing. AccessibleUK accepts no responsibility for any incorrect information supplied.
