Icecream has come a long way from the days of watery Mr Whippys and Mums-Gone-To-Iceland Vienettas. And not forgetting the famous childhood treat, the Screwball (plastic cones with icecream and a bubblegum at the bottom, the type that made your lips blue). Nowadays there are so many unusual flavours and places you can go to get a decent ice cream: from beautiful retro parlours to funky vans and market stalls, traditional Italian gelaterias and modern icecream artisans. We’ve rounded up a few to try above, but, if you fancy making your own, click here for basic recipes for ice cream and gelato. For the record gelato has less fat than icecream, and is normally denser and milkier in texture, whereas ice cream is richer and creamier.
SCROLL THE GALLERY BELOW FOR THE 10 HOT ICECREAM PARLOURS IN BRITAIN
Icecream parlours of Great Britain
1 of 101.GELATO GUSTO GELATERIA, BRIGHTON
Recently awarded with Trip Advisor's Certificate of Excellence, Gelato Gusto Gelateria is a traditional gelateria with a twist. It serves new and innovative icecream and sorbet flavours. We love the interesting ingredient combinations such as Pear and Parmesan Sorbetto and the Smoky Bacon Maple Waffle, which has crispy bacon pieces rippled throughout. Star of the show however is the Gelato Burger, a modern take on the 70s classic, the Baked Alaska. This brioche bun can be filled with your choice of gelato and chocolate sauce and is then sealed in Gelato Gusto's special machine to keep the gelato cold whilst you bite into your warm sweet brioche and melted chocolate sauce. Yum, yum, yum!
2 of 102. FORTNUM & MASON'S ICE CREAM PARLOUR, LONDON
For an old school treat step into this parlour of childhood dreams. Fortnum & Mason's Ice Cream Parlour in London serves ice cream cocktail floats such as Fortnum's Gin and Tonic ice and White Russian Ice Cream Sundaes.
3 of 103. CHIN CHIN LABS, LONDON
Billing itself as Europe’s first nitro-icecream parlour, Chin Chin Labs sells experimental ices which are made in front of you using Heston Blumenthal-esque liquid nitrogen. Flavours include some equally mad-scientist flavours such as Pondicherry Vanilla and Strawberry And Hay.
4 of 104. GELUPO, LONDON
The sister venture of Bocca Di Lupo, Gelupo serves up gelato developed by up-and-coming executive chef, Jacob Kenedy. Jacob personally develops, tests and tastes all of the flavours that come out of the Gelupo kitchen. Check out the chocolate and black pepper or vanilla and innovative saffron flavoured gelato.
5 of 105. RUBY VIOLET, LONDON
Situated in London’s Tufnell Park Ruby Violet not only sells a range of funky-flavoured ice creams (Basil, Walnut, Fig and Honey and Masala Chai to name a few), but her sorbets are to die for too. We particularly like the sound of the Watermelon and Mint Granita and Cucumber Sorbet.
6 of 106. HENLEY ICECREAM, HENLEY
Henley Icecream is an olde-worledy ice cream parlour in Henley which sells an extensive range of ice creams, sorbets, frozen yogurts including Ginger and Lime and Vanilla Seed. It sells gluten and lactose free ice cream and there are over 50 flavours to choose from.
7 of 107. MORELLI'S, KENT
One of the first ice cream parlours in the UK, with gelaterias now around the world, from Texas to Kuwait. Morelli's is famous for their impressive selection of sundaes, including the Amore - made specially for lovers to share.
8 of 108. CICCARELLI, NORTHUMBERLAND
Ciccarelli is a family run artisan gelateria situated on South Beach, Blyth. The only producers of 100% authentic gelato in the North East. After over 50 years in the industry, Mrs Ciccarelli can still be found most days working in the parlour, together with three generations of the family.
9 of 109. NARDINI'S, LARGS, SCOTLAND
Following a multi million pound refurbishment that has seen the landmark art deco building restored to its past glory with a new contemporary feel, Nardini's is Scotland's most famous ice cream parlour. Ice creams are created by 2006 and 2008 ice Cream Champion of Champions, David Equi, who serves up Scottish classics such as Scottish Tablet ice cream and Iron Bru Sorbet, plus an exceptionally indulgent Peach and Passionfruit Cheesecake.
10 of 1010. GREEDY GOAT, LONDON
If you want something lactose-friendly and super-healthy head to Greedy Goat in London's Borough Market for their delicious Goats Milk ice cream. And if you’re still not sure, then surely flavours include Rum & Grazin’, Maple and Praline and Apple Pie will tempt you?