Posted on July 17, 2025
There’s something timeless about enjoying an ice cream on a warm summer’s day in The Cotswolds. Whether you’re wandering through honey-stone villages, exploring rolling countryside, fortunately, The Cotswolds is home to a delightful mix of family-run dairies, gelaterias, and destination farm shops serving up some of the finest ice cream in the country. Here are our favourite places to savour a scoop…or two!
Winstones Cotswold Ice Cream
A true local institution, Winstones has been making traditional ice cream on Rodborough Common in Stroud since 1925. Using fresh, local double cream and milk, they offer an ever-changing list of flavours, from classic vanilla to stem ginger and honeycomb. With views over the valley and picnic benches nearby, it’s a perfect post-walk treat.
Dolcetti Ice Cream
Found in Cirencester, this artisan gelato producer uses Italian techniques with a Cotswold twist. Think velvety pistachio, rich dark chocolate, and fresh fruit sorbets made on-site in small batches. Located just outside Cirencester’s centre, Dolcetti’s café and production kitchen is a hidden gem well worth discovering.
Gorsehill Abbey Farm
This farm shop and café in the Broadway area is a local favourite, offering creamy soft-scoop ice cream with views of the surrounding hills. With seasonal specials and a traditional feel, it’s a charming stop while exploring Broadway or nearby walks along the Cotswold Way.
Hillbrooks Ice Cream
Crafted on a family-run dairy farm near Minchinhampton, Hillbrooks Ice Cream is made in small batches using milk from their own cows. Flavours are fresh, seasonal, and often locally inspired, strawberries in summer, elderflower in late spring. Visit their farm parlour or find them at Cotswold farmers’ markets throughout the year.
Wholly Gelato
Based on a working dairy farm near Gloucester, Wholly Gelato crafts real Italian-style gelato from milk produced just metres from the parlour. Their retro trailer café serves an ever-evolving menu of dreamy flavours, and the farm often hosts events, ideal for families or a scenic weekend detour.
Jolly Nice Farm Shop
A charming farm shop with a café in Frampton Mansell, serving hand‑filled scoops of ice cream made using their own Shorthorn cows’ milk. Expect classic flavours, vanilla, chocolate, salted caramel, alongside seasonal specials like gooseberry & elderflower or damson & sherry
Alfonso Gelateria
This Italian-style gelateria, located just off the Market Square in Stow-on-the-Wold, although there are several other locations across The Cotswolds, dishes up creamy, authentic gelato, think pistachio, stracciatella and seasonal sorbets. Popular with locals and wandering Cotswold visitors.
The Old Mill Parlour
Nestled within the historic watermill museum in Lower Slaughter, the parlour serves homemade, organic ice cream in flavours such as garden mint choc, brown bread, and butter crunch. Enjoy a scoop by the River Eye in one of the most picturesque Cotswold villages.