In Adventures, Beaches, Family, Food, Ideas, Summer

When the sun is shining and the weather is hotting up, cooling down with a tasty and refreshing ice cream is certainly high on the agenda. Thankfully, the Isle of Wight is home to several ice cream producers and parlours ready to satisfy your craving…

Family enjoying an ice cream on their walk, Isle of Wight UK

1. Lady Scarlett’s, Ventnor

Step back in time on Ventnor Seafront. Paying homage to the 1940s, with music of the time playing and the toilet kitted out as an Anderson shelter, it’s certainly a quirky place to enjoy an ice cream or other indulgent desserts!

2. The Garlic Farm, Newchurch

Black Garlic ice cream is made here on the Isle of Wight using a rich chocolate ice cream base which is then blended with the sweet and syrupy black garlic. Black garlic is made by heat-aging garlic over a number of weeks in a low-temperature oven. This completely transforms the garlic into soft, black, sweet and balsamic-like cloves. The combination of black garlic in chocolate ice cream is an absolute winner and something truly unique you won’t find anywhere else! Try it at The Garlic Farm Restaurant or at The Garlic Festival.

3. Gossips, Yarmouth

Ice cream on a pier? It doesn’t get much more classic British seaside than that. At Gossips Ice Cream Parlour, you can do just that. Set at the entrance to Yarmouth’s historic wooden pier, the parlour serves up Isle of Wight Ice Cream, made here on the Island from local dairy farm milk and cream. There are plenty of indulgent sundaes on the menu, as well as a smaller range for kids whose eyes might be just that bit bigger than their bellies.

4. Toppings, Shanklin

With over 42 flavours of ice cream available daily, there is surely something at Toppings to suit everyone. Sitting right in the heart of Shanklin Seafront, it’s the perfect spot to soak up some sunshine whilst enjoying a sweet treat. If you’ve had your fill of ice cream (is that possible?) they also offer a range of other treats including waffles, milkshakes, hand-cut fudge, candyfloss, popcorn, sweets, and sandwiches.

5. Fins Beach Cafe, Sandown

Serving the famous Calbourne Classics, (which is made using clotted cream and milk from the Isle of Wight) and located right on the beach at Sandown, what better way to cool down in the sunshine? From classic vanilla to refreshing pineapple sorbet, the hardest decision you will have, is what flavour to have!

6. Blueberrys Cafe, Shanklin

Make sure this award-winning cafe is on your hit list for ice cream! Featuring some of the best panoramic views of Shanklin, it is a great place to seek a moment of bliss and watch the world go by. And if you have your four-legged friend with you, they can indulge too as they sell ice cream for dogs!

7. Crave, Ventnor

Consistently topping the TripAdvisor charts across the country, Crave is a mecca for ice cream lovers, who make their annual pilgrimage every summer. There are plenty of ever-changing flavours made on-site each day, from classics such as mint choc chip and rum & raisin to those suited to more adventurous tastebuds, including rose with strawberry chocolate or cactus & lime. Dairy-free and vegan choices are available daily and there is even a special doggy ice cream, so everyone is happy.

8. Scoops, Yarmouth

Set on the picturesque Wheatsheaf Lane in Yarmouth, Scoops is a popular spot for those searching out a sweet treat. Serving locally made ice cream, you can enjoy a range of flavours served in a cone or tub, or if you’re feeling really indulgent, served over a hot Belgian waffle. For those that want something sweet but healthy, there is a range of fruit smoothies too. During the summer months, you can also find Scoops selling Calbourne Classic’s ice cream at Freshwater Bay from a beautifully resorted vintage ice cream bike!

9. Bliss Ice Cream Parlour, Cowes

Serving only local ice cream, Bliss is your one-stop shop for a truly local flavour. Here you can try Isle of Wight Ice Cream; Calbourne Classics which uses local clotted cream in their recipes; Minghella for artisan, Italian-style and Rex’s Range, the very first Isle of Wight-made ice cream for dogs!

10. Plaza Ice Cream Van

The Island’s first-ever eco-solar-powered ice cream van has landed and can often be found on Gurnard Esplanade or at Compton Bay. Named Evie (electric vehicle ice cream experience!) you can expect all your favourites, including Mr Whippy all served by the power of the Isle of Wight sunshine!

11. Pebbles, Sandown

For a classic British beach treat, make your way to Sandown Esplanade and visit Pebbles. Serving a wide variety of flavours in the Kelly's ice cream range it is the perfect spot to cool off after a day of building sandcastles on the beach!

So, Say Yes to sunshine and sweet treats on the Isle of Wight this summer!