🌍 Why you should come to Norwich..

Lynn Lockwood
Aug 25, 2025
3 min read

Exhibitor Invitation:

Norwich Chocolate Festival Fortnight, 18–31 October 2025

This October, Norwich, UK, will host the Norwich Chocolate Festival Fortnight (18–31 October) — two weeks of tastings, markets, films, dinners, and global conversations about the future of chocolate. Just before Salon du Chocolat in Paris, it’s the perfect opportunity to connect with UK audiences on your way.

📍 About Norwich

Norwich is the county city of Norfolk, in the East of England, around 160 km (100 miles) northeast of London. With a city population of about 144,000 and over 230,000 in the wider urban area, it is the largest city in East Anglia.

A city with deep roots, Norwich was once England’s second largest city after London, and much of its medieval character still survives. The skyline is dominated by the 12th-century Norman cathedral and the imposing Norman castle, while winding medieval lanes and the centuries-old market remain at its heart.

This historic backdrop is combined with a vibrant independent food and drink scene, two universities, and world-class research in food, health, and climate. Norwich is a walkable, creative city — large enough to make an impact, yet small enough for exhibitors and participants to feel genuinely connected.

🍫 A City with Chocolate in its Story

Norwich has deeper chocolate roots than many realise. The city was once home to the Caley’s chocolate factory, later part of Rowntree Mackintosh, and it was here that the iconic Rolo was invented in 1937. Generations of local families worked in chocolate, leaving a legacy that still resonates today.

🌾 A Region that Stands for Food & Innovation

Norwich sits at the heart of Norfolk and the East of England — one of the UK’s most important food and farming regions. From wheat and barley to sugar beet and fresh produce, this is where food systems are shaped. The city is also home to the Norwich Research Park, the University of East Anglia, and the John Innes Centre — leaders in food, climate, and environmental research. This is a region that stands for food, farming, and innovation.

🎭 Creativity & Community

As England’s first UNESCO City of Literature and home to major festivals — from the Norfolk & Norwich Festival to the Book Festival — Norwich has a proud tradition of creativity and international exchange. Big enough to make an impact, yet small enough that every exhibitor and participant feels seen, the city offers the perfect scale for building a new tradition in chocolate.

✈️ Easy to Reach

🚆 90 minutes by train from London Liverpool Street every 30 minutes

✈️ 3–4 direct daily flights from Amsterdam Schiphol (KLM) into Norwich International Airport

⛴️ Ferry from the Hook of Holland → Harwich International Port, then:• 🚆 Train to Norwich (~2 hours)• 🚗 Drive to Norwich (~1 hr 40 mins)

📅 Main Key Dates for Exhibitors

21 Oct – The Chocolate Summit (The Forum): Panels, cocoa farmer voices, and networking, followed by the screening of Reclaiming Cocoa.

23 Oct – Evening screening of The Chocolate War with guest discussion.

25 Oct – The Chocolate Market + Fringe Events (Carrow House): A full day of exhibiting, tastings, and direct consumer connection.

💡 Our Vision

Norwich Chocolate Festival marks the public launch of Join the Chocolution — a UK-wide, community-led movement elevating the voices of cocoa-growing communities and challenging exploitative supply chains.

We want this festival to become yours: an annual event built on community, not just one person. By being open about our aims and objectives, we’re inviting cocoa farmers, makers, hospitality professionals, activists, and chocolate lovers to help shape something new.