Local Ice Cream to Try in Cornwall
The best seaside snack? An ice cream, of course – preferably eaten on the beach, in a cone, with one eye on the seagulls. Here in Cornwall, we’re lucky to have a lot of great local ice cream makers, each one bringing their own character to their delicious produce.
We’ve put together a guide to Cornish ice cream producers and parlours. It’s not exhaustive (there really are a lot!), but it will give you a good idea of the treats in store for you in Cornwall.
Callestick Farm
The best way to enjoy Callestick Farm ice cream is to pay a visit to their welcoming parlour outside Truro. The Parker family began making ice cream on their dairy farm in 1989, initially producing small batches from the barn, using second-hand equipment. Fast-forward to 2024 and you can now buy this successful brand all over the country – Callestick even supplies Marks & Spencers!
We stand by our original statement: add Callestick Parlour to your Cornish holiday itinerary and tuck into your Iced Latte ice cream on the farm where it’s made..
Moomaid of Zennor
Made on a family-run dairy farm just west of St Ives, Moomaid is a must-have on your Cornish holiday. Their menu of flavours is constantly changing, apart from a few much-loved staples and Shipwreck ice cream is (quite rightly) a bestselling favourite. While there’s a lot for the kids to tuck into, we love their more grown-up offerings (anything with coffee and alcohol in is a sure winner). Their sorbets are a lovely dairy-free alternative – try the Dark Chocolate.
You’ll find Moomaid in shops, cafes and restaurants across Cornwall, as well as in their own parlours. New for 2024: Moomaid By The Lake, in an idyllic setting between St Ives and Lelant.
Treleavens Ice Cream
North Cornwall’s finest ice cream began small in 2002 and proved so popular that the team moved into large, custom-built premises in 2015 in Lanivet. The proper Cornish ice cream and sorbets are owed to the traditional artisan methods, resulting in seriously delicious, award-winning flavours served in restaurants and scooped in ice cream parlours across the South West. With over 50 flavours, including vegan-friendly and dairy-free options, be sure to look out for Salted Caramel, Raspberry Pavlova and Millionaire Shortbread.
You’re never too far from a scoop of Treleavens Ice Cream; in restaurants, scooping outlets and local farm shops. Use the Find A Scoop page to stock up your Cornish holiday cottage freezer or head to the beach for a cone!
Mr Bs
Think sparkles, unicorns, rainbows – a Mr B’s ice cream is always a spectacular work of art. This popular parlour was opened by the Barden family in Hayle in 2004, selling Italian-style gelato in a host of exciting flavours. Nikki and Nigel took over the business in 2016 and have stuck with Mr B’s ethos of combining Italian techniques with local ingredients – while making everything look fabulous.
Pop into one of their two Hayle parlours for a cone, tub, waffle or dessert (and you don’t have to go flamboyant – you can still pick up a simple and delicious scoop of classic gelato or sorbet!).
Roskilly’s
Roskilly’s is another famous Cornish name that’s just as well-known over the Tamar. As well as enjoying an organic ice cream in the St Keverne Ice Cream Parlour, you can visit the farm for free. Meet the animals, wander through the meadows, take part in the children’s trail… It’s a lovely morning or afternoon out, especially because you can add a meal in their Croust House Restaurant to your visit.
This delicious ice cream is for sale across the county, including in many visitor attractions. Try a Cornish Golden Fudge ice cream or a Cherry sorbet.
Jelbert’s
Finally, we get to an absolute icon in the world of Cornish ice cream – Jelbert’s in Newlyn. The small shop in Newlyn sells only vanilla, but it really is the best vanilla. The homemade ice cream can be served with a dollop of clotted cream on top if you want to make it even more Cornish. Jelbert’s second claim to fame is that it’s run by the family of Helen Glover, the Olympic rower.
Kelly’s of Cornwall
Another famous name and definitely the Grandma of the group, because Kelly’s has been making ice cream in Cornwall since 1930. Their family recipes have hardly changed in almost 100 years, although we can assume that their logistics have moved with the times, as they’re stocked all over the country (there are now over 1,000 Kelly’s scooping parlours in the UK!).
Kelly’s serves around 20 flavours; however, their Clotted Cream is probably the one they’re best known for. You won’t have to travel far to find a Kelly’s in Cornwall.
Enjoy a different ice cream every day? Book a holiday in Cornwall
You’re never far from quality ice cream in Cornwall! Make the most of our excellent local produce by coming on holiday to Cornwall, where you can tuck into everything from freshly caught seafood to newly baked pasties, as well as award-winning Cornish wines and all the bounty from our many farms. Take a look at our collection of luxury holiday cottages in Cornwall, and start planning your foodie escape.
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