Do you now a place that's 'Sweet Like Chocolate?'Me and my friend Kelly both made a sweet escape from Birmingham's bustling city center to experience the city's confectionery wonder! Stressed out by our current load of university assignments and looking for something to do, we decided to take a trip to Bournville's famous Cadbury World!
Arriving in Bournville was great, it felt like I was revisiting somewhere familiar as I had been to Cadbury World numerous times as a child for it had been a few years since my last visit, so I was very excited! The streets of Bournville were quiet but very cold as me and Kelly walked from the train station, we marveled at the wide array of Cadbury built houses that dated back to the 1890's! I decided on a whim to book our tickets, with the help of Cadbury World's social media team I was assured that we could use our student cards to get student discount, save more money for chocolate I say! Getting to Cadbury World from Birmingham city center is really simple for London Midland trains run every fifteen minutes from New Street station so we found it effortless. For us students it was the perfect combination for a convenient and cost conscious day away from the big smoke of the city
Captured to the left is one of the 'welcome' signs to Cadbury World and its operational chocolate factory, for this chocolate-making empire acts as both a tourist attraction and a integral part of Birmingham's history as a key innovator from its Quaker beginnings to their recent partnership with Kraft Foods. Being from Bilston means that I've always been close to Cadbury World as I have had the chance to visit many times before my most recent experience, I wanted to see what Cadbury World had to offer for I'm a degree student in my final year so I would be able to see things from a different perspective compared to my previous visits. I won't lie to anyone because on that morning I was so excited to get on the move I woke up before my alarm that morning, Christmas could have come early that day! So, let's get to grips with the here and now for I wanted to each so much chocolate I would feel ill afterwards! Kelly are you ready for this? I can't wait!
Located four miles away from the hustle and bustle of Birmingham city center is the town of Bournville, this is a town that truly has that 'chocolate box' look for its just beautiful. The cold harsh December weather made Bournville's village center look very Christmas-like indeed, for I have been so busy with my assignments the festive season had not entered my mind. With some time on our hands we chose to grab a bite to eat at the Bournville Bread Basket, which has been captured to the right, we found a wide selection of freshly prepared pasties, pies and sandwiches for purchase. Me and Kelly enjoyed our pasties and pies outside for its acceptable to partake in alfresco dining in Bournville, aside from the cold weather we had a perfect view of Bournville's quaint village heart.
Pardon for my tardiness for I haven't explained the meaning of Bournville, the Cadbury brothers took inspiration from the Bournbrook river and the French word for 'town' that created the then village of Bournville. This village like town gave the workers of Cadbury a sanctuary, a place to raise their families away from the smog of Birmingham's growing industrial center to enjoy the greener pastures of Birmingham's french fancy of a town. Bournville welcomed us with opened arms, so I know a return visit will be in-order soon! I felt like I was transported to another time for the feel of Bournville's Victorian architecture is like a breath of fresh air compared to the fast paced life of the city! I knew I was having a great time in before because hadn't even stepped through the factory gates of the Cadbury World empire, I might sound like a five year old child but I really don't give a hoot! I would seriously recommend a visit to Bournville's village heart before or after a visit to Cadbury World because its just that beautiful!
The time had come for us to experience the 'Chocolatey Fun' promised by Cadbury World, our journey through the life and times of all things Cadbury was mighty fun. No visit to Cadbury World would be incomplete by not learning where the 'sweet stuff' originated from, now I understand why I visited here for my school trips so many times! I personally enjoyed my supply of chocolate that was kindly handed out during our visit through the Cadbury visitor experience and factory. It was great to see new and existing parts of the exhibition for things have to grow and change, I saw lots of new things that amazed me! Our day out was becoming the perfect 'sweet escape' that we needed to forget about our tiresome final year studies! Who knew that George Cadbury opened his first cocoa shop on Bull Street, in the heart of Birmingham's city centre?!
Captured to the left is one of the Cadbury Chocolatiers who was crafting a range of beautiful looking bespoke chocolate high-heels, I was really impressed with the skill and quality of the product as they were displayed in a glass cabinet that sat a few metres away from the assembly line of chocolate Chocolatiers. I'm sure I saw these tasty heels in the factory shop at the end of the exhibition? It's a key thing to bare in mind that the Cadbury factory is fully operational so I had to re-frame from taking photographs in the packaging areas that were on display to us, its always best to respect rules! Anyway, I loved each and every part of the factory tour even the brief ride on 'Cadabra' a great experience for young and old, which I do remember from my childhood visits. It was like we had entered into 'a world of pure imagination' where we did view a interpretation of what could be called 'paradise', well I guess we were in a fully working chocolate factory after all?
