With the sun still shining now’s the best time to give you our Top 10 places to slurp a Suffolk Coast ice cream…
1. Claremont Pier
Situated right next to the promenade and the wide sandy, award-winning beach at Lowestoft, the kiosk in front of Claremont Pier sells the normal range of branded lollies, plus delicious Mr Whippy cones, topped with a flake and hundreds and thousands. Stroll along the beach, paddle a while but make sure you do it with ice cream in hand!
2. The Little Ice Cream Company
Located near Felixstowe's Seafront Gardens, The Little Ice Cream Company make their own ice cream using locally sourced ingredients including fresh milk from Felixstowe’s dairy herd at Adam’s Farm. Favourites include candy store, complete with hundreds and thousands and pick and mix, and honey monster with chunks of honeycomb swirled in!
3. Southwold Boating Lake and Tea Room
A quirky 1940s tea room in the pretty seaside town of Southwold; at Southwold Boating Lake and Tearoom you can sit amongst the reeds and have a few moments soaking up the sun as you enjoy your ice cream overlooking the boating lake, surrounded by wildlife and enjoying the views.
Afterwards, children will love a ride on the pedalos and a round of crazy golf!
4. The Riverside Theatre & Restaurant
Woodbridge has a fab ice cream kiosk, located at the Riverside Restaurant & Theatre. Grab one before enjoying a film or show and sit outside on one of the brightly coloured deck chairs whilst you soak up the September sun.
5. Southwold Pier
A fine example of a Victorian pier including many period attractions, the Beach Cafe at Southwold Pier sells a range of ice creams, plus sandwiches, cakes, teas and coffees and fish & chips. Once you've picked your flavour, stroll past Southwold’s famous beach huts as you savour your 99.
6. Thorpeness Tea Room
Located on Thorpeness' famous meare, Thorpeness Tea Room is the place to head for ice cream after a morning of messing in boats on the water. Serving a range of flavours alongside Mr Whippy 99s. The Tea Room also serves a range of meals, sandwiches, drinks and snacks.
7. View Point Café
Overlooking the busy Port of Felixstowe, the View Point Cafe is the ideal spot to slurp an ice cream while watching huge ships enter and leave the port. The cafe also serves a range of breakfasts, lunches and butties if you fancy filling your boots before a day of exploring.
8. Harris & James
With stores in both Aldeburgh and Southwold, you've no excuse not to sample the locally made gelato from Harris & James. There's an impressive selection of flavours including pistachio rose, sweet almond, Jaffa Cake and pistachio fruit biscotti plus classics such as strawberry, chocolate and mint choc chip - so you'll have trouble choosing just two scoops!
Alongside the ice cream, Harris & James also make their own chocolate, cakes and patisseries and coffee.
9. Suffolk Food Hall
Located at Wherstead, near Ipswich, Suffolk Food Hall is renowned for its large array of locally produced food and produce. When you’ve stocked up on supplies relax with an Italian-style ice cream from The Beach Hut.
Choose from a mouthwatering selection of locally made Harris & James gelato, with flavours including Jaffa Cake, salted caramel, strawberry and chocolate brownie plus delicious dairy free options too.
10. The Tea Hut
Sitting on the banks of the River Deben in Woodbridge, The Tea Hut is a relaxing spot to sit and watch the world go by, whilst tucking into a delicious ice lolly! Children will enjoy sailing their boats on the model boat pond and dogs are welcome too, it's for you to decide whether they're allowed a lick!