Your Guide To The Best Ice Cream in the UK

Swoon Gelato photo credit: @chiaraaluongo

Bath – Swoon Gelato

Staying in our serviced apartments in Bath and love a frozen treat? Your luck's in. With hundreds of fantastic parlours to choose from, ice cream in Bath is certainly not in short supply. Having first opened in Bristol, Swoon Gelato offers customers a multitude of great Instagram shots thanks to its extensive variety of ice-cream flavours ranging from cherry cheesecake to chocolate brownie. If the original menu doesn’t take your fancy, then perhaps one of the month’s guest flavours will. Every month five new flavours are picked according to seasonality - recently these have included pink grapefruit and rosemary sorbet and vegan Banoffi. Their range of flavours changes frequently though, so you'll have to pop in for a visit. If you're looking for the best ice cream in Bath, you've found it.

Little Dessert Shop photo credit: @birmingham__eats

Birmingham – Little Dessert Shop

If you’re after a side of cheesecake or perhaps a waffle with your ice cream, then the Little Dessert Shop in Birmingham’s iconic Bullring centre is the place to go. Still looking to satisfy your sweet tooth after indulging in an ice-cream based dessert? Then why not wash it down with a Belgian Chocolate Shot or a Unicorn Strawberry Shake. Our favourite of the many ice cream shops in Birmingham, there’ll be no shortage of the ‘go on, treat yourself’ saying here - that’s for sure. 

The best ice cream in Bristol - Oliver's Ice Cream photo credit: @bestofbristolfood

Bristol - Oliver's Ice Cream

Next up is Bristol. Another place to find some of the best ice cream in the UK, Bristol boasts stunning landscapes - which incidentally make perfect places to sit and eat ice cream. Conveniently located on Bristol’s Harbourside, which is not only extremely close to our SACO Broad Quay apartments but also the perfect location to enjoy ice cream in hot weather, Oliver’s Ice Cream Parlour offers delicious artisan gelato in an ever-changing variety of flavours. The ice cream connoisseurs at Oliver’s use locally sourced natural ingredients to create unique combinations, previously these have included banana and peanut butter and even a Bristol inspired Thatcher’s Gold cider sorbet!

Cadwaladers photo credit: @cardiff_vegan

Cardiff - Cadwaladers

Searching for top-notch ice cream in Cardiff? Cadwaladers is a popular choice for ice cream amongst locals, with their Cardiff store being located on one of two Cardiff Bay piers. As traditional ice cream has always been a predominantly dairy treat, it can be hard to find worthy vegan alternatives nowadays. However, at Cadwaladers not only is there a superb selection of flavours on offer, there’s also a variety of cones (including gluten-free) so you can create your perfect combination. Not to worry if you don’t fancy opting for a dairy free alternative as there’s plenty of conventional options available too. Most of their stores operate a ‘dog friendly policy’ so you can also bring your beloved furry friend along (as if you needed any more reasons to visit).

Loop & Scoop photo credit: @blondieandthefeast

Glasgow - Loop & Scoop

When the sun is out in Glasgow, there really is no better place to head than straight to Loop & Scoop which is situated on the city’s Great Western Road. Something a bit different, their unique menu offers a selection of handmade gelato and filled churros. Not only do they serve some of the most delicious ice cream in Glasgow, they also boast the title of the UK’s first Ice Cream and Churro bar. Head to their Instagram if you need a little visual help in deciding what to choose – although this will most likely make you even more indecisive than you were in the first place!

Colleen's Cafe photo credit: @enilyplane via @edibleedinburgh

Jersey - Colleen’s Café

Seeing as Jersey is encompassed by a number of beaches, what better excuse is there to grab an ice cream whilst exploring your surroundings? It also means there’s a lot of options when it comes to deciding where to purchase the delicious, creamy treat from. Colleen’s Café, situated along the glorious promenade of Greve de Lecq, is an excellent choice. Not only does this quaint eatery provide the perfect companion on a hot summer’s day, it also allows for fantastic views of the island’s stunning scenery thanks to its prime beach front location. Want to stay close to the action (and exquisite, icy goodness)? Check out SACO Merlin House.

Ruby Violet photo credit: @sarah88jenko

London - Ruby Violet

When it comes to ice cream in London, the list truly is endless. If we were to recommend all the best places in the capital to enjoy this treat, the list would just never end. After much deliberation, we think Ruby Violet in North London serves some of the best ice cream in London. This one tops the list for us due to their creative twist on the traditional British delicacy. Have you ever wondered what sweet potato ice cream tastes like? We haven’t either, but we’d certainly be willing to give it a go! New creations are introduced each week, so if you’re staying in one of our serviced apartments in London, you might just be able to have a different ice cream each day. Don't worry, we won't tell!

Ginger's Comfort Emporium photo credit: @votehipps

Manchester - Ginger's Comfort Emporium

Finishing our guide to the best ice cream in the UK is Manchester. Ginger’s Comfort Emporium supplies Mancunians with award-winning, real dairy ice cream and sorbet from their cosy store situated within Affleck’s Palace, the city’s popular indoor market. Best suited to those with a ‘grown-up’ palette, their weird and wacky flavours include pear and Tonka bean, Thomas Dakin Gin and plum, and even marmalade on toast. Some of the best ice cream in Manchester, the adventurers among us can enjoy their chosen flavour either in toasted brioche, with hot puddings, affogato style, as a milkshake or simply on its own. As well as sourcing all their ingredients locally, they’re also open to experimenting with flavours - so if you have something a little different that you’d like incorporate into a frozen dessert, bring it with you!