Things to see and do at Goddards House and Garden

Man sitting at a table reading a paper

Take a walk through the chocolate heritage of York or imagine life in the former home of the Terry family. We invite you take a seat and feel at home.

Relax and feel at home

Sit back on a comfortable sofa in the drawing room overlooking the gardens. Pick up the paper and toast your toes by the open fires in the autumn. Enjoy a sherry before lunch or a lavish Goddards afternoon tea while you relax and soak up the atmosphere in this glorious Arts and Craft house and feel right at home.
 

Tranquil garden rooms to explore

The four acres of gardens were designed by the renowned George Dillistone to complement the house. As well as the formal bedding displays there are yew-hedged garden rooms, intricate water features, rockeries, lawns, trails and hidden pathways. The gardens also feature a bowling green, tennis lawn and  wonderful original glass house which is used to this day by the Goddards gardening team. There's a newly planted orchard with promise of yields to come and for now has wonderful views over the racecourse to the site of the old factory and the iconic clock tower. 
 

Dine in Style

Make your celebrations and meetings extra special with fine dining and service
wo woman sat on a couch with a tiered afternoon tea tray on a table before them
Make your celebrations and meetings extra special with fine dining and service
Enjoy a slice of 1930s decadence and take your seat in the Terry family former dining room . Here you can indulge in a stylish luncheon with friends, or enjoy a gin and tonic on the sunny lavender terrace overlooking the gardens if you'd prefer. Sample the regularly changing homemade menu and an indulgent slice of chocolate orange cake......it's becoming something of a favourite on the menu.
 

The story of Terry's chocolate in York

Goddards is at the heart of York's chocolate heritage. Visit the recently extended display rooms, sit at the desk of the Terry partners and find out more about the staff from the managing directors to the packers on the factory floor. Read the story of the business, why it grew in York and why it is no longer. Find out what it was like to be a worker at the Terry's factory and discover historic pictures of the Terry's factory.
 

Take a walk through chocolate

Goddards is just a pleasant stroll from central York, it's an easy walk to the city centre that will take you through years of Terry family history.
 
Download the Goddards Easy Walk (PDF / 0.3MB) download
 

A 1930s Childhood

Enter the world of a 1930s child by finding out more about the Terry children throughout the house. Explore what it was like to grow up before the days of television and video games.
 

The Art of Design

  • Discover what the arts and crafts style is
  • Marvel at beautiful details and designs
  • Leaf through some of the architect's letters to Noel Terry
  • Pick up the design trail, or download the PDF here
Goddards The Art of Design leaflet (PDF / 0.7MB) download
 

Get on your bike!

Make a day of it in York and enjoy a gentle bike ride from Goddards to Treasurer's House. Along the way you'll see some famous landmarks and some beautiful wildlife - perfect for a family day out.
 

Planning a group day out?

Get the most out of your visit to Goddards by pre-booking a group visit. Enjoy a special guided tour by one of our knowledgeable house guides and discover Noel Terry's fascinating family home.
Call 01904 771930 for more information