also wondering if this is a good day out thinking about october half term
would it still be open then ? and every thing opertaional?

Maybe OK with kids, but for the money (and we received a group booking discount of 25%) I thought it was very expensive. You are lead through on a tour and you can't hang around. You get a few free chocolate bars when you enter, a history of chocolate exhibition with short multimedia show (a few young kids near us got bored), how chocolates are made info, a loooonnnng walk through the factory, but being a food factory you don't see the chocolate being made, just the final stage where you see wrapped bars are on a conveyor, an area for playing with chocolate, then a wierd fairground type train ride with lots of music, M & M characters and the Caramel Bunny etc, finally a history of chocolate advertising (great for adults - remember the Flake ads of the 70s?). Then you can go in to the older part of the factory for a history of Cadbury - lots of stuff in glass cases (not interesting for children) and you can see the robots packing pallets. The best bit is the shop where you can buy a huge bar of Cadburys Dairy Milk for £30! We were on the 'factory' tour for no more than an hour - whole visit was about 2 hours. With kids I would say you could fill half a day, unless they are interested in the architecture as there is a guided walk around Bournville!

Same as Daveyjp - best part of the trip was the shop We went about 3 years ago when my son was only 2 - at that age they make their own entertainment - not sure if an older child we get a bit bored on the tour. Also found it very busy with school outings - think we must have gone at end of term.
Remember it being quite expensive.

It is expensive, Ive visited in the past with students and residents - the shops my fave part!

My students are 16-18 with moderate learning difficulties - they were bored after a few hours there.

We have done a visit to the factory but they only do that for a few schools i think - had to wear white coats, hats, everything covered for food hygiene reasons.

I prefere the Thinktank in Birmingham - lots of interesting things to see and do - lots of hands on activities, there is an imax cinema next door which is great!

http://www.thinktank.ac/news/

Black country museum in Dudleys good too

http://www.bclm.co.uk/

Alison

Half a day is plenty. Escorted tour and a sortie round the shops. 7 year old should love it.

We've been a couple of time, half a day is plenty. If the weathers good you can spend some time outside as there is an outdoor play area and when we went there was a magic show on in a tent too. Kids enjoyed being able to try the warm melted chocolate.

dont forget you must book your tickets before you go, you cant buy them when you get there. from what I remember you get an alocated time to go in for the tour. if the weather is good there is a very good childrens play area and a show. you get to see the coronation street chocolate street. we ate in the restaurant which was over priced and the chips were still hard in the middle, so i would recomend a picnic. The shop is good you can get some good bargains.

we went 2 months ago and we didnt plan the trip just turned up and were able to buy ticket when we got there-no problem.
it was very good afternoon out, did lots, but go with an empty stomach the smell of chocolate all day and the free bars are enough to last u a year.
impressed!!!!!!

After stuffing your face with chocolate it will put you off cadbury's for life

A trip round a chocolate factory...where you DONT get to see it being made??????? Surely they're missing the point somewhere!

Im glad the kids never hassled us to take them now - that would have been the most interesting part (for me - blow the kids )!