With temperatures set to soar this weekend, families heading to the Welsh coast may face a chilly shock: ice cream prices at some of the UK's highest levels. Analysis by credit card company Zable reveals that Porthmadog in Gwynedd tops the list for the most expensive single scoop, averaging £3.85, while a two-scoop cone costs around £5.28. Aberystwyth ranks fourth nationally at £3.65, and Tenby comes eighth at £3.33.
Zable's study examined prices at up to five top-rated ice cream parlours in 33 seaside locations, using online menus or direct enquiries to calculate average costs for one and two scoops of vanilla cones. The figures offer a snapshot of price variations across the UK, though not a definitive list.
Barton-on-Sea in Hampshire was named the cheapest destination, with a single scoop averaging £1.95. For a family of four, that's £7.80 for one scoop each—roughly half the cost in Porthmadog. No Welsh seaside town appeared on the cheapest list.
Locals and visitors were taken aback by the prices. Hortense Gregory, from Harlech, called £3.85 "quite expensive," adding she could "get a lot for that." Kerri Underhill, visiting Porthmadog from Solihull, paid £20 for four ice creams with toppings, describing it as "expensive" but noting that "everyone wants an ice cream when they go to the seaside."
Others seek better value. Andrea and Ian Merriduw travel to nearby Beddgelert for ice cream, calling it "better value." Andrea said paying extra for good ice cream was worth it, but admitted it would be too costly for families. Another local, Lisa, said she'd still buy one after rowing, depending on quality—"if it's nice, proper ice cream then yeah, not cheap Mr Whippy though."
Behind the high prices are soaring production costs. Helen Holland, who ran Anglesey-based ice cream business Môn ar Lwy for 18 years, is retiring this year due to rising expenses. She blamed vanilla shortages and soaring chocolate prices, along with increased paperwork, VAT, and other business costs. "The increase has been phenomenal," she said. "I thought, goodness me, this is seriously expensive, but I do understand the reasons behind it."
Helen believes customers understand the increases because everyone feels the pinch of rising living costs. "Having an ice cream is a real treat these days," she said. "Before, you didn't even think about the cost. Now you have to decide if you'll treat yourself." She suggested producers could cope by working together and buying in bulk.
Additional reporting by George Herd.