A few of our favourite things ...: ice-cream

Showing posts with label ice-cream. Show all posts

Sunday, 5 May 2013

Days Out - top beaches, Porthminster, Cornwall

You could be forgiven for being mistaken that you were in the Caribbean, but in fact this is Porthminster Beach in Cornwall.

They say the light in St Ives is quite unique and the reason that so many artists are drawn to the area and it's not difficult to see why.

Porthminster Beach features in our top ten of British Beaches. It's more sheltered than St Ives' other main beach and with soft golden sand, it's perfect for families.

A highly rated cafe is nearby so there are ice-creams and other snacks easily to hand.

Saturday, 4 May 2013

Truly Scrumptious - Nardini's Largs, Scotland

It's Bank Holiday weekend, so we're in search of an ice-cream. This place is in our top 10 of ice-cream parlours, so we had to share should you find yourself near Largs.

A Scottish institution having opened in 1935, Nardini's is packed even when the beach isn't because of its delicious assortment of ice-cream. With 32 flavours to choose from it's still the main draw of the lovely deco building that houses the cafe and restaurant.

All their ice-cream is prepared on site and you can even see them at work making it. Single cone; double scoop; sundaes; or the Clyde Coast Extravaganza: 12 scoops of ice-cream with 16 toppings!

And better still it's open til 9 so you can squeeze in more than one visit on a day out!

Sunday, 28 April 2013

Truly Scrumptious - Hive Beach Cafe, Burton Bradstock

We discovered 'Broadchurch' long before ITV and even more special the Hive Beach Cafe at Burton Bradstock.

Owner Steve Attrill took it on nearly 20 years ago and started with little more than a shed on the beach. It has become an award winning cafe that employs over 50 people during the summer but remains true to his original vision.

He wanted a successful local business where anyone could come and relax and enjoy great food in a wonderful location.

As a parent himself, he wanted it to be family orientated and made sure that children and families were always made welcome. And as a mother of three young children he has achieved his goal.

And you don't need to feel guilty as you can take a long walk along the beach afterwards!

Thursday, 25 April 2013

On your bike - Bournemouth Promenade

If, like me, you like cycling, but don't like to exert too much energy, being able to find somewhere that doesn't involve hills has got to be a good thing.

So the cycle from Sandbanks to Boscombe along Bournemouth's sea-front is ideal.

As long as you don't cycle during the day in July and August, you are free to ride along the prom at any time, being mindful of pedestrians, of course.

You can take it at whatever pace suits you, stopping along the way to take in the views, cool down with an icecream or pause a little longer at one of the various eateries along the way.

Do let us know if you have a favourite cycle route we can share. Can't guarantee I'll be trying the hilly ones! Wonder why I went on a cycling holiday in Norfolk!

Tuesday, 23 April 2013

Days Out - Hengistbury Head, Dorset

As wonderful as the Jurassic Coast is, my favourite beach in Dorset has always been Hengistbury Head, near Bournemouth. Less popular with sunbathers, probably due to the pebble beach, it's loved by dogwalkers and anyone wanting to breathe in the sea air.

We like to walk along the beach towards the Isle of Wight and skirt round the Head to Mudeford Spit, with its pretty beach huts. Rarely up for sale, they can exchange hands for silly sums of money, but with lovely views of Christchurch harbour it's easy to see why they are so popular.

Continuing the circular walk along side the Site of Special Scientific Interest twitchers may be rewarded with sightings of some of over 300 species of bird. I've also seen adder, natterjack toads and the land's diversity within such a small area is quite amazing - woodland, heathland, coast, saltmarsh, scrub, ponds and watermeadows.

As I've been visiting since childhood, I remember when the Beach House Bistro was just a cafe and though many will probably love it's more contemporary design, I now prefer to wait until the end of the walk when I return to the car park and reward myself with coffee or bit to eat at the Hiker Cafe.

Saturday, 20 April 2013

Truly Scrumptious - Verdi's, Mumbles, Gower

Working today, so I'm not venturing out for coffee. But that doesn't stop me daydreaming about where I'd like to be sitting.

With panoramic views over Swansea Bay and over 30 flavours of ice-cream, Verdi's is a must for coffee lovers too.

This family run café/restaurant has prime position on the seafront in the quaint Victorian fishing village of Mumbles. It's the perfect spot for sitting down with the newspapers at the weekend and indulging in a fancy cake with coffee or treating yourself to one of their amazing ice-creams which regularly feature in top 10 lists.

In the winter you can shelter from the wind but still enjoy the dramatic weather from behind the glass and when the weather finally warms up there is plenty of outdoor seating to enjoy the scenery and watch everyone else jog or cycle past.