This month we can all scream for ice cream as it’s National Ice Cream Month. This annual celebration of the frozen, sweet treat was established in the 1980s by Ronald Reagan. It turns out that the dog-loving US president was also a fan of ice cream like so many of us here in the UK. It’s so popular in fact, that an average of 12 ice creams are sold every second in the UK during the summer. And it’s not just humans queueing to cool down with one of the nation’s favourite holiday snacks – our four-legged friends are also barking mad for ice-cold treats, too. So, to celebrate National Ice Cream Month, here are 10 paw-some cafés selling ice cream for you and your dog.
1. The Crib Shack at Driftwood Spars, St Agnes, Cornwall
One of the coolest beach-view bars in Cornwall, The Crib Shack boasts a big beer garden and decking with a funky shipping container selling drinks and snacks – from Tarquin’s Gin Tasting Boards to doggy ice cream. Whether you’ve just stepped off the beach or strolled here along the World Heritage coastline, it’s the perfect location to cool down and fuel up a pebble’s throw from the sand.
2. Baskervilles Ice Cream Parlour, Moretonhampstead, Devon
Dartmoor’s rolling countryside is made for sublime strolls with your four-legged friend. After miles of walking you could cool down with a dip in the River Dart, or head into the picturesque town of Moretonhampstead for an ice cream. Choose your favourite from the likes of black cherry and ricotta, apple and cinnamon, sorbets and sugar-free options. And make sure your trusty hound gets a lick of a dog-friendly ice lolly. A delicious place to stop during a day out while holidaying in Devon.
3. Southsea Beach Cafe, Southsea, Hampshire
Lap up the authentic British seaside experience: gazing out to the pier and the bobbing boats on The Solent with an ice cream in hand. Bask on the decking or hunker inside this water’s edge café in Southsea where dogs are not only welcome but have their own doggie ice cream on the menu. The human options are delectable too, with culinary ninjas whipping up an impressively diverse menu of freshly prepared, seasonal dishes alongside ice-cool treats. This is one of Hampshire’s finest dog-friendly stops.
4. The Beach Café, Wells-Next-The-Sea, Norfolk
Tuck into ice cream and kickback on the sea view decking after a barefoot beach walk along the sweeping sands of Norfolk’s Holkham Beach. There are doggie bowls at the ready so your four-legged friends can re-hydrate, then cool down with pooch-friendly ice cream. Meanwhile, you can choose from a lip-smacking menu of ice creams, pastries and famous hot chocolates topped with lashings of cream and marshmallows. Treat yourself to a stop here if you visit Norfolk with your dog.
5. Bidlea Dairy, Orchard Farm, Cheshire
A spell of hot weather spurred the production of 16 flavours of ice cream for dogs at the family-run Bidlea Dairy on Orchard Farm in Cheshire. A popular spot for dog walkers striking out on the trails between Goostrey and Holmes Chapel, this Cheshire farm sells milk directly from their herd alongside a growing menu of mouth-watering ice cream. There are plenty of flavours to choose from, including the gluten-free doggy options, topped with a biscuit bone and ready to be woofed down by Fido and his friends.
6. The Tea Hut, Woodbridge, Suffolk
Nestled close to the River Deben, on the banks of the Woodbridge model boating pond, the Tea Hut is the perfect pit-stop on a ramble along the river with your furry friend. This a beautiful area of countryside close to the Suffolk coast. Bag a table on the decking when the sun’s got its hat on, and watch the world go by over breakfast, lunch or afternoon tea, while your canine companion tucks into sausages and doggy ice cream.
7. The Hound of the Baskervilles, Ashburton, Devon
Love Sherlock Holmes and country pubs? This dog-friendly inn beckons both Holmes and hound lovers alike. Tuck into a menu of home-cooked pub classics and let your canine companion choose from their own range of ice cream. This pub is close to Dartmoor National Park with all the trails you and your dog could ever need.
8. Blueberry’s Café, Shanklin, Isle of Wight
Castaway to the Isle of Wight and enjoy stunning views of the island from a family-run café on the shoreline. While you choose from all-day breakfasts, lunches crammed with local ingredients and homemade cakes, dogs have their own menu including locally made dog treats, Oscar’s dog food and dog ice cream.
9. The Windmill Cafe, Rubery, Worcestershire
Relax and refuel after a dog walk in Wasely Hills Country Park – 150 acres of pasture and woodland which lies on the South Western edge of Birmingham near Rubery in Worcestershire. Let the dogs frolic along the footpaths, soak up panoramic views and tire the kids out in the adventure play area, then pause at The Windmill Café for plenty of human treats, doggy sausages, biscuits and even doggy ice cream.
10. Scoop Ice Cream, Oakchurch, Herefordshire
Having started as a ‘pick your own’ strawberry farm in the 1970’s, Oakchurch is now a showcase of the best Herefordshire food and drink producers and a garden centre bursting with plants. It’s also home to Scoop Ice Cream – an award-winning range of gelato ice cream and sorbets made onsite using only local ingredients, including freshly picked fruits from the farm. Available in cones, cups and take-home tubs, your furry friends will go barking mad for the dog-friendly flavours.
11. Tammi’s Ice Cream Parlour, Greetham, Rutland
Unwind in the sun trap of a lush clearing surrounded by mature trees. Named after the owner’s dog, Tammi’s Ice Cream parlour sells over 16 flavours of the award-winning Blyton Dairy Ice cream, as well as Waggy Doggy ice cream so your pet doesn’t miss out. You can also choose from light lunches, cakes and pastries supplied by local artisan bakers Rutland Cakeaway, and hang out with the resident bunnies (Vodka and Tonic), budgies and fish in the pet corner. A tasty place for a snack or bite to eat while exploring the pretty villages and countryside of Rutland.
Treat Yourself to an Ice Cream on Your Dog-Friendly Holiday
Now you know all the tasty places where you and your dog can stop for an ice cream around the UK, why not book a dog-friendly break near one of these destinations? Start your search for pet-friendly properties and organise a summer holiday with your four-legged friend.
