13 February 2017

Love – it’s written on the sweets! This half term York Castle Museum is looking at the sweet messages which sent Victorian hearts a fluttering 100 years ago.

“Must we part?” “Can you polka?” “Spare my blushes” – these are just some of the lines used on the original Love Heart Sweets – called Conversational Lozenges.

Some were to the point, such as “Will You Marry Me?” others playful “How do you flirt?” while some were lovingly sweet– “Yes, My Angel”. Others were not Romantic at all but instead chose to stress the important morals of the day – “Take Ye Not to Strong Drink” and “Honour Your Parents.”

Visit York Castle Museum this half term to make your own Conversation Lozenges inscribed with your own Romantic – or not Romantic – sayings. There is also the chance to discover the story of sugar moulding, watch sugar plate making and be inspired by chocolate and sweet packaging to make your own to take home.

Lucy Knock, assistant curator of history (informal learning), said:

“With February being the month of St Valentine’s Day we are taking a look at the Romantic sweets invented by the Victorians. These little sweets were the perfect conversation starters, often inscribed with sweet sayings.

“For half term we have re-opened the popular Castle Kitchen so visitors can have a go at making ‘Love Heart’ style sweets with your own messages and create sweet packaging to take home!

“There will also be demonstrations on how they were made and other sugary techniques such as sugar plate making.”

Activities run 18-26 February every day from 10am-4pm and are included in admission. Kids go FREE with a paying adult. For full listings of what’s on during the half term, please click here.

The activities take place in preparation for York Castle Museum’s new chocolate experience which opens on April 1 – Chocolate: York’s Sweet Past – please click here for more information.