‘I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream…’
It’s as true today as it was in 1927 when the ‘I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream’ song was written - we all love ice cream. If you’re on holiday in your UK holiday home, one of the first things you want to know is - ‘where do we get ice cream?’
Keep reading to find some of England’s best makers and purveyors of ice cream, across our fantastic holiday park locations, including Suffolk, Norfolk, Lincolnshire and Yorkshire.
What is the history of ice cream in the UK?
From flavoured ice enjoyed in ancient Persia, China and Rome as far back as 550 BC, to today’s colourful cones on the British seaside, ice cream has always been a treat with universal appeal.
In the UK, ice cream first appeared in 1671 at a lavish Windsor Castle banquet, reserved only for the wealthy. That exclusivity lasted for centuries, until Italian entrepreneur Carlo Gatti changed the game in the mid-19th century. Selling “penny licks” from his stall in London, Gatti made ice cream affordable for the public – even before freezers existed, when ice had to be cut from canals and stored underground. The huge ice house pits built near Kings Cross where he stored ice shipped from Norway are still there and have been opened to the public at The London Canal Museum.
Street sellers of ice cream were known as hokey-pokey men, used in a chant by the sellers ‘Hokey pokey penny a lump, that’s the stuff to make you jump.’ The phrase may come from the Italian ‘Ecco un poco’ which translates to ‘Here’s a little’.
By the 1950s and 1960s, as American culture influenced Britain in a post-war era, soft serve ice cream began popping up across seaside resorts and in the ice cream vans we know and love today.
Fast forward to today, and the industry looks very different. More than 700 ice cream companies now operate in the UK, with most established in the past decade. From traditional seaside cones to decadent, Instagram-worthy creations, ice cream remains as popular as ever – a timeless holiday treat with a modern twist.
And while ice cream is a global business, the UK has made its mark too. Wall’s – the maker of household favourites like Magnum, Solero and Cornetto – is a brand born right here in Britain, alongside Cornish brand Kelly’s, and Scottish favourite Mackie’s.
If you want to buy ice cream from a shop to enjoy in the comfort of your own holiday home:
Good Housekeeping gives some great recommendations on the best ice cream to keep you cool this summer
The Guardian offers the best and worst supermarket vanilla ice cream
Delicious Magazine has a guide on the best ice cream brands and flavours
The Nation’s Favourite: The ’99’
When it comes to ice cream in the UK, vanilla reigns supreme – and nowhere does it shine more than in the iconic ’99’.
The ’99’ is simple but sacred: soft-serve vanilla in a cone, finished with a Cadbury Flake. First dreamed up just after the First World War, the idea of adding a Flake to ice cream proved so popular that Cadbury officially launched the “99 Flake” in the 1930s, designed especially for cones.
As for the name? It’s not just because it cost 99p, and there are many theories. The ‘99’ may come from the Italian influence of the ice cream trade; in Italy “99” symbolised something special or elite. Apparently, Cadbury borrowed the term – and a legend was born.
From black-and-white seaside postcards to modern-day beach snaps, the ’99’ is a constant presence in British holiday life. It regularly ranks among the UK’s favourite seaside foods – proof that sometimes, the simplest pleasures are the best.
Where to get the best ice cream in Suffolk
Sandy Toes, Lowestoft
Overlooking the stunning sandy beaches of South Lowestoft, Sandy Toes offers that quintessential beachside experience of ice creams, sweets, and cold drinks by the seaside. Enjoy Magnums and Fabs, Mr Whippy’s and 99’s, and all your other favourites - you just can’t beat the taste of ice cream with sand between your toes!
ALDER TREE, Needham Market
Alder Tree Ice Cream at Alder Carr Farm is a gem of Suffolk. Made using natural, locally sourced ingredients and artisan methods, Alder Tree’s ice creams are tangy, fresh, and come in a variety of over a dozen inventive flavours. Seasonal fruit flavours make this a real taste of the Suffolk countryside in every scoop.
IVES ICE CREAM PARLOUR, Aldeburgh
For those exploring Aldeburgh, Ives Ice Cream Parlour is a must. Established in 1960, Ives offers over 50 flavours, including dairy-free options, all made locally in Suffolk and Norfolk. From classic favourites to inventive new creations, Ives is perfect for a family treat or a refreshing stop after a walk along the Aldeburgh coastline.
PARRAVANI’S ICE CREAM, Beccles
For a taste of history, visit Parravani’s Ice Cream, founded in 1898 and East Anglia’s oldest independent ice cream producer. In fact, they are the longest-established ice creamery in the UK.
Parravani’s offers a stunning range of premium ice cream, including traditional Italian gelato, creative seasonal flavours, and even dog-friendly ice cream for your four-legged holiday companions.
You’ll find Parravani’s stocked around the area, and their factory shop is just a few miles from Waveney River Centre in Norfolk, making it an easy day trip from your holiday on the Broads.
Harris & James, Southwold
Harris & James based in Suffolk offers authentic Italian Gelato using local ingredients, alongside coffee, chocolate and cakes. With locations across Norfolk and Suffolk including Aldeburgh, Beccles, Cromer, Holt and Sheringham, their Southwold location is a standout.
Famous for its charming shops, historic beach huts, art galleries, and the magnificent pier, Southwold is quintessentially British. Strolling along the promenade with a cone in hand is a timeless summer pleasure, and the town’s cafés and ice cream parlours make it the perfect place to indulge.
Suffolk holiday homes
Whether you’re sampling classic flavours by the sea, enjoying unique artisan creations in the countryside, or introducing the family (and pets!) to Parravani’s historic gelato, Suffolk perfectly combines scenic beauty, cultural charm, and sweet seaside indulgence.
Suffolk is an ideal location for your own holiday home. Broadlands Park & Marina is a perfect example, offering stunning scenery and easy access to the Broads. This is a county of both seaside and countryside; a holiday home here puts you close to tranquil waterways, quiet byways, and plenty of attractions to explore.
And close to plenty of seaside treats is North Denes Caravan Park, the UK’s most easterly holiday park close to Ness Point in Lowestoft. Classic caravan holidays await here, with easy access to the coastlines of Norfolk and Suffolk, so you can fill your boots (not literally) with plenty of ice cream if you have a holiday home here.
Where to get the best ice cream in Norfolk
Jay Jays @ The Beach, Gorleston-on-sea
Jay Jays @ The Beach is a traditional ice cream hut by the award-winning beach of Gorleston-on-Sea, and their sister cafe is further up the promenade. All the traditional treats can be found here - whippy ice creams, scoops, milkshakes, oysters, chocolate or sherbert dip, flakes and sprinkles, and so much more.
East Coast Gelato, Hunstanton
East Coast Gelato offers award-winning Italian-style gelato made in Hunstanton, available from their locations on Hunstanton Promenade, Thornham and Wells-next-the-Sea. They also offer cakes, desserts and fudge, with local ingredients and seasonal twists.
Did you know - the west-facing coastline from ‘Sunny Hunny’ and further South is where you can truly watch the sun go down, whereas the east side of Norfolk is good for sunrises.
The fine city of Norwich has long been a purveyor of fine foods, like the long-gone Caley’s chocolate factory (where the first packet of Rolo’s was created) to the iconic Colman’s mustard and Kettle chips. Today, Norwich is home to a variety of ice cream producers.
Lakenham Creamery, Norwich
Lakenham Creamery are “the only Ice Cream Maker in the UK who uses just Fresh Cream in the base mix” of their ice cream, containing no stabilisers, emulsifiers, artificial flavourings or preservatives. They call their Norfolk County Fresh Cream Ice Cream ‘The Connoisseurs Choice’, and you can find it in their factory shop in Lakenham, their longstanding spot on Norwich Market and across venues around Norfolk. You’ll also find their Aldous Traditional Ice Cream, first produced in 1921, and a variety of sorbets.
Ronaldo Ices, Norwich
Ronaldo Ices has been producing ice cream in Norwich since 1983, and you’ll spot it in many restaurants and shops around Norfolk and Suffolk. Their range includes over 60 flavours of ice cream, delectable sorbets and even plant-based and vegan options, and they champion locally sourced ingredients, sustainability, and eco-friendly packaging.
Ellie’s Ice Cream, Sheringham
Ellie’s Ice Cream parlour on the Sheringham coast serves over 60 different flavours of Ronaldo’s ice cream, so you’ll be spoilt for choice! The most popular flavours are raspberry and gooseberry as they make use of fresh, local fruit, but unusual flavours such as Norfolk lavender are also quite the hit. All the ice cream is suitable for vegetarians, and they even have a range of vegan sorbets for sale, so there is certain to be something for everyone.
Booja Booja, Norwich
Award-winning Booja Booja is a vegan confectionery company making delicious dairy-free ice cream since 2007, alongside their delicious truffles, first produced in Norwich in 1999. You can find Booja Booja chocolates and ice creams across UK supermarkets including Sainsbury’s, Waitrose and Morrisons - and they’ve even gone global.
Booja Booja are passionate about organic ingredients, creating delicious treats without using animal products, and even working with a Kashmiri social enterprise to supply the beautiful artworks on their gift boxes.
Café Gelato, Norwich
Head to Norwich and you’ll often see queues of people waiting to get into Cafe Gelato. They make real Italian gelato on-site in their store, using locally sourced dairy and local, seasonal and natural ingredients. They even featured on the big screen in ‘Good Luck to You, Leo Grande’ with Emma Thompson!
Norfolk Holidays
On the borders of Norfolk and Suffolk, Waveney River Centre is the perfect place for a holiday or holiday home, and you’re close to so much delicious ice cream!
Find touring and camping pitches available from March - Oct, Hotel Rooms & Lodges available for relaxing breaks all year round, and Lodges for sale for holidays whenever you want, Waveney River Centre offers fantastic escapes on the Broads National Park for all seasons.
Enjoy the Waveney Inn Bar & Restaurant, an indoor swimming pool, the foot ferry across to Suffolk Wildlife Trust’s Carlton Marshes, and even boat hire exclusive to lodge guests and holiday home owners.
Caldecott Hall Country Park offers some great days out close to iconic seaside locations where you can get plenty of ice cream, including Gorleston-on-Sea and Great Yarmouth, and you’re also not far from Norwich either.
On-site, you can find Redwings Horse Sanctuary & Oliver’s Cafe, Caldecott Hall Golf Club, an indoor swimming pool, Disc Golf & Foot Golf, Barn 1 Bar & Restaurant, and plenty of woodland walks.
Holiday home options range from limited empty pitches to move your own static caravan to, caravans for sale, and the stunning Stables development offering brand-new semi-detached holiday homes and barn conversions.
Where to get the best ice cream in Lincolnshire
Farmer Browns Ice Cream Parlour, Alford
On the coast road between Mablethorpe and Skegness you’ll find Farmer Browns Ice Cream in Alford. This ice cream parlour is the place to savour an outstanding treat - it’s ice cream made from the dairy of the company’s own Holstein Friesian cows.
Icedreaming, Lincoln
Away from the coast, historic Lincoln has plenty of choice too - look out for Icedreaming on Bailgate between the Castle and Cathedral. Here you can enjoy modern flavours in a historic building, with incredible views of Lincoln’s most iconic buildings. That ice cream will taste even more fantastic after your journey up the aptly named Steep Hill.
Layla’s Little Cow, Mablethorpe
Layla's Little Cow is a Mablethorpe must on the ice cream map, and just a 20-minute walk along the beach from Mablethorpe Chalet & Caravan Park. Expect ever-changing flavours, a dedicated dairy-free ice cream machine, slushies, brownies and plenty more. Head straight onto the stunning sandy beach with your ice cream and you’re in British seaside heaven!
Fifi’s Ice Cream, Skegness
Just down the road and being the classic British seaside resort it is, Skegness is rather well served when it comes to cafes and ice cream parlours. Head over to Fifi’s Ice Cream on Tower Esplanade for a variety of ice cream flavours and other treats, including vegan scoop options and even boozy slushes!
Blyton Ice Cream, Gainsborough
Blyton Ice Cream are a family-run ice cream parlour, going strong since 1985 with over 75 flavours of ice cream made fresh on their family farm. They offer a variety of treats and desserts, from sundaes and waffles to crepes and milkshakes.
Lincolnshire holiday homes
Mablethorpe Chalet & Caravan Park has something for everyone - cosy chalets available for holiday or residential use, and caravans and pitches for sale. Holidays on the Lincolnshire coast can be full of ice cream and seaside treats, or head inland to enjoy the Lincolnshire Wolds and countryside.
On-site you’ll find the popular Cedars Bar & Restaurant and multiple play areas, so this site is perfect for families.
The iconic Redcar Lemon Top ice cream
Where to get the best ice cream in Yorkshire
Roll up for Redcar - a place in ice cream history
Regional terms for ice cream across the UK range from ‘monkeys blood’ in the North, representing the red raspberry or strawberry sauce on a 99, to a ‘pokey hat’ in Scotland.
In North Yorkshire, the legendary Lemon Top was created on Redcar seafront; a nostalgia trip for locals and a serious treat for all of us. This dairy ice cream in a cone with a big blob of lemon sorbet on top is sheer bliss. It’s the perfect treat to enjoy on your holidays to Redcar, which can happen any time with your very own Redcar holiday home.
Pacittos, Redcar
Pacittos, Sea Front Redcar is somewhere to try for all sorts of reasons, not least of which is that they serve the original Pacitto’s Lemon Top! This traditional ice cream parlour overlooks Redcar Beach from the Esplanade, and you can grab a cone from their serving hatch or eat in their cafe.
Gabrielles Ice Cream, Redcar
When you’re holidaying here, check out Gabrielle's Ice Cream Redcar who are open late every day on The Esplanade. Serving traditional Lemon Tops, extravagant sundaes and desserts, and jumping on the latest trends with their specials including Dubai Chocolate flavours, Labubu ice creams, and Stuff your Stanley Cup day.
Brymor Ice Cream, Masham
Head to High Jervaulx Farm in Masham and you’ll find Brymor Ice Cream, who have named themselves the home of real Yorkshire ice cream. Their ice cream parlour offers a variety of flavours made from locally sourced cream and milk, and you can also find play areas, a gift shop and a dedicated doggy exercise field.
Burgess Ice Cream, Shiptonthorpe
Burgess Ice Cream have been around since the 1920s. Their range of flavours covers the traditional favourites and some modern twists, made with the same recipe for over 100 years. You can find them at stockists across Yorkshire, and at their factory shop, where you can also buy a vanilla frozen dog treat for your four-legged friends.
Vanilla Ice Cream Parlour, Bridlington
Bridlington boasts several ice cream shops, including the Vanilla Ice Cream Parlour, an Italian-style cafe on the bay just 100 yards from the beach. Expect scoops, sundaes, coffee & matcha, as well as brunch, panini’s and salads.
Topham’s Ice Cream Parlour, Bridlington
Don’t miss Topham's Ice Cream Parlour, a nostalgic 1950’s ice cream parlour serving traditional favourites like the Knickerbocker Glory, Banana Split and Milkshakes.
Mr Moo’s Ice Cream Parlour and Café, Skipsea
Yorkshire’s East Riding features in a national poll, with Mr Moo’s Ice Cream Parlour and Café featuring in no less a medium than The Times, which weighed in with Ten of the UK's tastiest ice-cream shops by the sea. Mr Moo’s serves their very own ice cream made from locally sourced dairy and ingredients with no artificial colouring or flavours.
Harbour Bar, Scarborough
East Yorkshire also features on BBC Good Food’s list of the best ice cream parlours in the UK, with Harbour Bar on Scarborough seafront being described as “big and brash, but hugely fun and buzzy” with its 50’s décor and classic menu.
Redcar Beach Caravan Park in North Yorkshire is another great holiday home location. Your own caravan holiday home at Redcar Beach gives you the best of the seaside in Teesside AND one of the best ice creams ever.
There are plots available if you already have your own static caravan and you’d like a beautiful new beachside location, or there’s a variety of caravans for sale on our brand new beachfront plots.
A holiday home at South Shore Park puts you close to the legendary resort of Bridlington, and as we learnt earlier, Bridlington is big on ice cream.
Brand new beachfront holiday homes are available for purchase, or check out the holiday homes for sale further inland on the park. Joining this brilliant community of holiday home owners is a beautiful way to enjoy Yorkshire’s finest sights and attractions - and ice cream.
Having your own UK holiday home has become a favourite way of holidaying and it comes with a lot of treats - and not just your favourite seaside treats.
The freedom of having somewhere of your own to go to, whenever you want
The feeling of knowing the area and exploring it at your own pace
The real treat of not exploring at all - just chilling. We all need that once in a while.
And then there’s having an ice cream. Wherever you have your own UK holiday home, you’re never far from an ice cream - and you wouldn’t want to be.
Great UK holiday home locations and their ice cream connections have a fascinating and inextricable link. It demonstrates how varied and interesting the UK is nowadays, especially for holidays.
Local producers make food and drink more interesting than ever. Farms, breweries, wineries, butchers, bakers, and all manner of food businesses, both large and small, mean we have more choice, more food markets, and more independent shops than ever. Having a holiday home in the UK gives you the chance to explore all of that.
Greener than flying to other countries and financially more sensible than many other investments, a holiday home here is a great opportunity in so many ways.
Do you want a flake in that?