26-04-2025
The Lake District's ‘best ice cream shop' is in a tiny village where cars are banned
Walking along the winding streets of Hawkshead is like stepping back in time. Not just because of the village's historic white-washed cottages or cobblestone alleys.
No, it's because you won't see a single car driving around. Cars are in fact banned from the centre of the village, frequently named one of the prettiest in the Lake District.
The ban helps to preserve the village's character and adds to its old fashioned charm - of which it has by the bucketload.
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Located just north of Esthwaite Water and west of Winderemere, Hawkshead is a tiny village nestled among the rolling green fells.
Around every corner of its rabbit-warren of streets is a cosy pub or tiny tea room. It's even got an outpost of the famous Grasmere Gingerbread Shop, where you can sample the iconic treat.
But there's one reason in particular visitors head to this tiny village - it's home to an ice cream shop that's been described as 'the best in the Lake District' which recently made the headlines for a rather interesting flavour.
A regular feature in Tik Tok videos of Hawkshead, The Little Ice Cream Shop has an interesting back story. It was set up by Amy McPherson in 2016 when she was just 18 with the aim of making enough money to move to London and train to be an actor.
It was an instant hit thanks to its generous portions and excellent selection of flavours (it rotates over 90 different flavours) and her parents even opened a second shop in Windermere.
Last year The Little Ice Cream Shop went viral for producing an 'ultra-creamy' flavour called 'Jacob Elordi's Bathwater', inspired by the infamous scene from the film 2023 Saltburn.
But visitors to the shop today can expect more appealing flavours like Kendal Mintcake, Salted Caramel, Lemon Meringe, Nutella and Black Cherry.
Reviewers have hailed the ice cream as 'the best' in the Lake District. One Tripadvisor reviewer reads: 'The best place for ice cream. This is such a great place to go after a hike or just a treat.
"We have been many times and this is the best ice-cream in the ice cream is always so delicious and well worth the price( it's a great price to what you get in London) and you get a massive scoop.'
Another one wrote: 'In today's world portions are small, and prices are big. This, however, is not the case for this Ice Cream parlour. The portions are HUGE !! The prices are sensible.'
A third said: 'Absolutely the best ice cream in The Lake District hands down. Friendly staff and a delicious array of flavours. For the price you get a massive scoop so well worth trying. We will keep on coming back for more. It's delicious.'
Parking is available at Hawkshead Car Park, Main Street, Hawkshead, Cumbria, LA22 0NT. Charges start from £4 for a two-hour minimum stay.
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