WITHIN the ancient walls of York lie centuries of stories, from Viking settlements to Victorian confectionery.

The 14th century Walmgate Bar has long welcomed tradesmen through the medieval city walls; creating a busy industrial hub. Walmgate was the original site of Rowntree and Terry, world-famous sons of York who shaped the city’s chocolate-producing heritage.

The foundries and tanneries of Walmgate are long gone, and today the street’s red brick buildings are hip bistros and bars, nestled with half-timbered pubs and pretty shops. Walmgate is also home to Hotel Indigo York, paying its own tribute to the district’s confectionery heritage. The boutique hotel’s stylish, funky design includes ‘chocolate block’ wood panelling and soft furnishings inspired by sweet treats. There are framed photographs of the area’s Victorian factories, sweetie-shaped cushions and jelly-mould lampshades.

Steeped in history, with great shopping, dining and a rich cultural vibe, York is pretty much perfect for a city break. And Hotel Indigo was perfectly placed for our girls’ weekend, taking in retail therapy and the chocolate trail.

York offers no end of things to do, not least ghost tours, a day at the races, cycling the city walls, getting up close to a hologram Dick Turpin, being tried for witchcraft at the Dungeon museum, following Viking footsteps at Jorvik, climbing the 275 winding steps of York Minster tower. Having crammed all this, and more, into previous visits, we focused on shopping and chocolate during our 24-hour city break.

After browsing the city’s varied shops - high street chains, designer boutiques, vintage gems and the quirky independents and artisan food stores of The Shambles -we visited York’s Chocolate Story (yorkschocolatestory.com). Located at the end of the medieval shopping street, it’s a delightful family attraction tracing the city’s confectionery past. As well as recorded stories from people who worked in Terry’s, Craven’s and Rowntree’s factories, there’s chance to create handmade chocs and watch chocolatiers at work.

Stepping back to 1800s York, on a re-created cobbled street, our friendly guide told us about Rowntree & Sons shop on Pavement Street (now a Pizza Hut with a blue plaque). Through a series of fun talking portraits, we learned about early chocolate merchants, not least Quaker brothers Joseph Rowntree Junior and younger brother Henry (initially an apprentice at a tea, coffee and cocoa shop on Walmgate), two of the most famous names in chocolate.

We left the 19th century, via a South American rainforest to sample a bitter drink popular with ancient Mexicans, and entered a virtual factory, learning how the humble cocoa bean is transformed into fine chocolate. Children were invited to take their places along a ‘production line’; roasting beans, turning cacao nibs into cocoa liquor (solid mass), pressing it, adding milk and pouring it into moulds. We each tried a piece of freshly-made chocolate, using all our senses - first snapping it close to to our ears, smelling it, then placing it on the tongue.

It’s a great interactive place for youngsters, and there’s nostalgic appeal for us adults too, with retro favourites on display - including original Smarties boxes - and old TV ads. We ended our visit making lollipops, then watched an expert showcasing the art and skill of chocolate-making.

You could link a trip to York’s Chocolate Story with a confectionery trail across the city: York Cocoa Works, where you can make, cook, eat and generally immerse yourself in chocolate; Fairfax House, home to the Georgian furniture collection of Noel Terry, great-grandson of the founder of Terry’s; and Rowntree Park, gifted by the company to commemorate cocoa workers killed in the First World War.

Back at the hotel, we relaxed over dinner in the restaurant, No. 88 Walmgate, serving a range of locally sourced dishes. We shared tasty mixed olives and halloumi salad to start, and for a main course I had an excellent chickpea curry while my friend Susan tucked into delicious wild boar sausage, mash and fresh vegetables. Friendly, attentive staff made us feel welcome throughout our stay.

Our lovely twin room had a chic loft apartment vibe, with sleek wooden beams and exposed brick walls, and the elegant en suite included a rainfall shower. A selection of locally made sweet treats was a nice touch.

There was a relaxed urban brunch feel to our lazy breakfast of smashed avocado on toast (Susan) and Neighbourhood Special (me), comprising avocado, fried egg and beans on tortilla. An impressive buffet offers artisan bread, a cheese selection, smoked salmon, pastries and fresh smoothies.

I really like this affordable city hotel, which blends its own quirky style with rustic/urban contemporary chic. Sweet dreams!

* Indigo Hotel York, Walmgate, York. Tel. (01904) 231333. Visit hotelindigoyork.co.uk