Sweet spots
With summer finally here, HELEN GADD gets the scoop on the best places to tuck into a refreshing ice cream
WHAT’S that in the sky? Could it be the sun? If weather forecasters are to be believed, we are in for a period of end-to-end sunshine, so what better time to cool off than with an ice cream?
But it can’t be just any ice cream. With Gloucestershire having more than its fair share of bespoke parlours, it wouldn’t be right to settle for anything less than homemade and locally sourced.
The rolling fields of Gloucestershire are home to dairy herds that help create everything from a traditional scoop of vanilla to artisan ices flavoured with everything from real garden mint to rhubarb crumble.
Here’s our pick of some of the best to try this summer.
JOLLY NICE – FRAMPTON MANSELL
Harriet began making her own ice cream about 15 years ago using local milk, double cream and eggs, and every pot is filled by hand with no colourings or readymade flavourings. This is like manna from heaven to real ice cream fans, creamy and delicious, with lip-smacking flavours. The only problem is which to choose. ■ Unusual favours: forced rhubarb, gooseberry & elder, orange marmalade
WHOLLY GELATO – ELMORE
On a farm near the banks of the Severn, this charming family enterprise not only sells homemade gelato, but also milk on tap from their gorgeous herd of cows. At weekends and during holidays there are often queues to the door of the ice cream parlour, clamouring for the latest flavours. ■ Unusual flavours: liquorice, chocolate raspberry, cherry & white
THE OLD MILL – LOWER SLAUGHTER
This mill shop and museum has an ice cream parlour selling homemade organic ices in cones or tubs, right next to the River Eye in this idyllic Cotswold village.
■ Unusual flavours: garden mint choc, brown bread, butter crunch
KASPA’S – CHELTENHAM AND GLOUCESTER
Part of a dessert chain selling sweet treats galore that has proved a hit, particularly with youngsters. Offering sundaes, shakes, crepes and smoothies. ■ Unusual flavours: bubblegum, passion fruit, toffee butterscotch
DOLCETTI – CIRENCESTER
Launched more than 30 years ago in South Africa, the business now runs out of Cirencester with 24 flavours of gelato and sorbets, as well as milkshakes and a decadent ice cream cake range. ■ Unusual flavours: orange choc chip, marinated fig yoghurt, lemon meringue
ICE CREAM COTTAGE – TEWKESBURY
This is more of a sundae parlour than just ice creams, but they are legendary in the area. Huge glasses of deliciousness – as long as you’ve a very sweet tooth – with names such as Birthday Cake, Biscoff Cheesecake and Chocolate Heaven.
■ Unusual desserts: Rainbow Fun, Jammie Dodgers, dogfriendly ice cream
WINSTONE’S – RODBOROUGH COMMON, STROUD
These guys have been around since 1925 when Albert Winstone started selling ice cream on the common. What was once a small shack serving a handful of people has now been replaced with a large ice cream parlour offering up to 17 different flavours to the customers who pour in daily.
■ Unusual flavours: rhubarb crumble, Union Jack, banoffee
HILLBROOK’S – KEMPLY
A family farm nestled on the borders of Gloucestershire and Herefordshire, serving up homemade ice cream made with milk from their own cows and all natural ingredients.
■ Unusual flavours: blackberry and apple, apple cider, damson
OH MY GOAT – MITCHELDEAN
Launched in 2020 in the Forest of Dean town, OMG (geddit?) makes their gelato from goats’ milk instead of cows, from its own herd.
■ Unusual flavours: brown bread, coconut, salted caramel
CREAMS – CHELTENHAM
Another dessert chain, this time in the Brewery Quarter, Creams serves ice cream’s sundaes, cakes and other sugary delights to hordes of young and not so young customers.
■ Unusual flavours: coffee Arabica, Amalfi lemon, forest fruits.