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ne of the most confusing things about Manchester for first-time visitors to the city is the huge number of satellite towns that help to give the wider city its unique flavour. The centre of the city itself is relatively small in comparison to other ‘name’ cities such as London or Sydney, but within the Greater Manchester area are some fantastic attractions in their own right.

Which means that chocolate lovers should be making a beeline for the leafy north Manchester suburb of Whitefield, just a few miles north of the centre. There they’ll find Master Baker John Slattery’s Patissier and Chocolatier. Slattery’s have been in the baking game since patriarch Bernard opened a bakery store in Crumpsall in 1967.

Son John took over the business in 1991, and the business rapidly expanded, moving in 2004 to the 100 year old Masons Arms public house. Today it is a quintessential family-run business and one of Manchester’s true hidden gems.

One thing is for sure: chocolate lovers will be in heaven. Kick things off by making your own choccies to take home for families and friends at Slattery’s School of Excellence, although if these don’t go true to form you’ll be able to buy some of Slattery’s own to make up for it. Round things off at the gorgeous cafe, where you’ll be able to try yet more chocolates, cakes and other treats baked on the premises.

Just make sure you pencil in enough time for a post lunch constitution in nearby Heaton Park. After all that choccy, you’re going to need it.