Need to cool down? You don't have to travel far for some excellent sweet treats!
If you're going out for the day with family, friends, or even just by yourself, then these independent ice cream spots are worth a visit. Browse our list of the best ice cream places in the North and discover your new favourite.
Notarianni Ices, Blackpool (South Shore)
Notarianni is an institution. Their 4th-generation, family-run ice cream shop is famous for their excellent ices, especially their secret-recipe vanilla, which has been made onsite since 1928. Notarianni is often rated as one of the best ice cream parlours in the country, having nabbed the top 5 spot in TripAdvisor and Gazette rankings. The best bit? It's just a 3-minute walk from Blackpool South station, so you can hop off the train for a top-rated ice cream in no time.
Ginger's Comfort Emporium, Manchester Northern Quarter
If you're looking for something a bit out of the ordinary, then Ginger's Comfort Emporium offers a wide range of dairy-free ice cream, vegan-friendly options, and sorbets made in small batches. This is the place to be to try something new! Situated in Affleck's Palace, it's only a 10-minute walk from Manchester Piccadilly and should be on your list if you're visiting Manchester.
Mark Toney & Co, Newcastle Grainger Street & Percy Street
If Newcastle is your destination, Mark Toney's ice cream shop is a must-visit. With over 120 years in the business, and two central locations on Grainger Street and Percy Street, their excellent ice creams and sorbets are well-established and well-loved in the Toon. Both shops are only a short walk from Newcastle station, so they could be the perfect pre- or post-train trip treat!
Two Hoots ice cream Boat, York
If you find yourself in York, make sure to walk up to the Millennium Bridge to find the Two Hoots ice cream boat open in the summer months. Enjoy some of the finest quality, locally churned ice cream whilst looking over the river Ouse in this scenic part of York. Plus, you get to have an ice cream served to you from a unique floating ice cream shop on the River Ouse! It’s a great way to experience the quieter, more serene side of York.
Harbour Bar, Scarborough
The Harbour Bar is another classic ice cream spot on the Yorkshire coast, always packed with tourists and locals alike. Run by the Alonzi family, the Harbour Bar is a family business which has been making and selling ice cream in Scarborough since 1945. That 1950s milk bar style has been maintained throughout the years, making for a unique ice cream-eating experience. Why not take a walk along the seafront, or sit in the excellently maintained interior and get stuck into a Sundae or Knickerbocker Glory for that ultimate 1950s-themed treat.
Now that you've discovered some of the best ice cream places in North England, where will you visit? From some of the best ice cream York has to offer to frozen treats in Blackpool that are so good that the recipe is a secret - get there by train with a Northern advanced ticket and secure your sweet treat fix this summer. And do let us know if we missed your favourite spot!
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