From its early beginnings in Birmingham, Cadbury grew to become a pioneer in the development of eating chocolate and the UK's most prestigious chocolate company. The creations of the Cadbury family have had a huge impact on the way that Britain enjoys chocolate today.
Everything started in 1824 when Quaker John Cadbury sets up a shop, selling tea, coffee and , which were scraped into a saucepan and mixed with the hot water. chocolate, next door to his father's store in Birmingham. At that time, chocolate was sold in blocks of drinking chocolate, which were scraped into a saucepan and mixed with the hot water. In 1866, George and Richard Cadbury import a Dutch invention, the Van Houten chocolate press, which enables them to produce pure cocoa and paves the way for the large-scale production of eating chocolate. Chocolate bars and chocolate cremes with fruit-centres were marketed in decorated boxes designed by Richard Cadbury himself, and this populist approach broke the monopoly that expensive French eating chocolate had previously enjoyed.
In 1879, the Cadbury brothers establish a new factory at Bourn Brook outside Birmingham, and christen it Bournville. Along with Bournville Village (established 14 years later) it will help to revolutionise standards of living and working. The Cadbury family did not just buy a factory site at Bournville. Additional parkland was acquired in 1893 to be set aside for sports and other activities. The idea of promoting employees' health was revolutionary at the time, and just one of the ways in which Bournville advanced thinking about the working practices. Other measures introduced included a piece-work system relating payment to output, bonuses for punctuality, a half-day Saturdayholiday and the pioneering idea of closing the factory on Bank Holidays.
The brothers believed that the company could have a positive influence on the way that their workers lived outside the factory. George was a devoted campaigner for housing reform and, in 1895, he bought up an additional 120 acres of land to begin the construction of an ideal "Garden City" and provide workers with healthy, affordable housing close to the factory. The Bournville Village became a model for enlightened town planning around the country.
At the end of 19th century, the chocolate became more and more popular and recognised in everyday's diet. In 1895, The Victorian Metropolitan Asylums Board recommends that the orphan children in its care be fed chocolate as part of a nutritious diet. In 1900, Queen Victoria orders 100,000 tins of eating chocolate to improve the rations of soldiers serving in South Africa.
The development went even further. In 1901, George Cadbury's son, George Cadbury Junior decided that milk chocolate need to be sweeter and creamier. In 1905, Cadbury launches Dairy Milk, a ground breaking chocolate made using fresh, full cream milk, which becomes the country's top seller by 1913. During the WWII, milk chocolate makers such as Cadbury give over their factories to the war effort. Supplies of chocolate, meanwhile, are a vital source of nutrition during wartime food shortages.
When you arrive to Cadbury for your chocolate experience you will be given few chocolates, just to build up the strength to dive into the Cadbury world. Then, your journey can began. First step is Aztec Jungle, where you will discover the origins of the cocoa bean, amidst trees and waterfalls, deep in the ancient tropical rainforest of Mayan Indians.
Journey to Europe is the section with mini theatre presentations that tells us the story how chocolate arrived in Europe on the ships of Hernan Cortez and how it became popular in high society.
The next is Bull Street. We travel back in Victorian time to see Quacker John Cadbury and his tea, coffee and chocolate shop. The room with the story of the Cadbury beginnings is the next stop and we can learn about processes and experiments used at the early stages of the production. After that, you will learn about the most important ingredients of milk chocolate, and the way Cadbury combines them to create that unique Cadbury taste.
In Manufacturing section, you can play with the interactive videos and learn all about different kinds of Cadbury chocolate including Creme Egg, Roses, Buttons and Easter Eggs. Every chocolate has a package, and you will see the conveyor belts full of nicely packed chocolates.
In Cadabra, you will be take a part in the ride - a magical journey full of suprises. Later you will have a chance to work with chocolate, writing your name using fresh liquid chocolate. In Purple Planet you will have an amazing interactive experience that you would never forget.
In last two sections you will find more about Bournville philosophy and you will have a chance to create your own delicious taste sensation.
On the end, few practical information to have a perfect day out.
Admission fees:
Adults: £16.25
Children (aged 4-15 years): £11.95
Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult
Under 4 years: Free
Senior citizens: £12.25
Students (with valid NUS card): £12.25
Family Ticket (2 adults & 2 children): £49.80
Family Ticket (2 adults & 3 children): £58.40
Tickets MUST be prebooked before coming to Cadbury World to guarantee entry.
Address:
For Sat Nav users, use postcode B30 1JR.
Cadbury World has free parking spaces for visitors.
Website: Cadbury World
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