Chocolate breaks

The Chocolate Boutique Hotel in Bournemouth offers a whole range of chocolaty treats and weekends, but the ultimate chocolate hotel has to be the Boucan, set among cacao groves in St Lucia. Owned by chocolatiers Hotel Chocolat, Boucan (above) offers 14 sumptuous rooms, a cacao-inspired menu and even a cacao-themed spa (as all chocolate-lovers know, cacao is bursting with antioxidants and minerals). Further information, Cooking with chocolate at Coworth Park

All the chocolate served at Coworth Park (above), in Ascot, is handmade in a dedicated chocolate room using the finest cocoa beans and a variety of seasonal ingredients, including – er – hay. Guests at the Dorchester’s chic country sibling can sign up for a World of Chocolate master class in which they will learn not just how to make confectionery, but also how chocolate enhances both sweet and savoury dishes. Guess what’s in the goodie bag? Further information, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory tea at One Aldwych

Take in a matinee of the new musical version of Roald Dahl’s much-loved tale at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, then stroll down to One Aldwych hotel for a Charlie and the Chocolate Factory-themed afternoon tea (above). Golden eggs, blueberry brioche and flavoured candyfloss are all included in the £34.50 tea; we’ll be adding £10.50 for a smoking Cocktail Charlie. Further information,  Chocolate lunch at Rabot 1745

This Borough Market restaurant is another offshoot of the Hotel Chocolat brand, and serves West Indian and modern British-inspired dishes enhanced by roasted cacoa from Hotel Chocolat’s estate in St Lucia (see above). We’ll be having the Choc-au-Vin, with side orders of white chocolate mash and spinach in cacao nib butter, and the Rabot 1745 chocolate mousse collection for pudding. To drink? We rather fancy a Praline Soother… Further information, Rabot 1745City of Chocolate

Leeds’ chocolate industry flourished from the late 19th century onwards and it’s still one of the best cities in the UK for those of us with a sweet tooth. There are always lots of chocolate-themed tastings and events going on – though The York Dungeon’s new Death by Chocolate interactive exhibition (from this Saturday), featuring Mary Ann Cotton (above), one of the most notorious sweet poisoners in history, might have you reaching for the wine gums instead. Further information,