Short answer: Wadebridge has no famous ice cream parlour, so go by route: Atlantic Coast Express on the Camel Trail (4.8 from 278 Google reviews), Roskilly's on Padstow's South Quay, or Vanilla at Polzeath for the widest flavours and vegan choices. In town, Little Cocoa sells ice cream in a play cafe.
Here is the awkward truth about the best ice cream in Wadebridge: the town does not have a famous parlour. The town has cafes that sell ice cream and a sweet shop that sells milkshakes, but the proper scoops are at the ends of the Camel Trail and over the hill at Polzeath. That makes ice cream here a destination rather than an impulse, and the sensible way to plan it is by route.
So this guide is organised along the trail, from the town end to the harbour, with the caveats on each.
5.0 from 23 Google reviews. This is a toddler cafe first, with play rooms for under-fives and homemade cakes and coffee. One reviewer lists "tasty toasties and cakes and ice cream" among the menu, so a scoop is available, but brands and flavours are not published. Opening days are limited, so check before you go. It suits families who want a sit-down and somewhere for a child to burn off energy.
5.0 from 7 Google reviews, so this is a tiny sample. It is an old-school sweet shop beside the trail start with fudge (including vegan and clotted cream flavours), Turkish delight and strawberry milkshakes, according to reviewers. It is not an ice cream parlour, but it is a good option if a child wants a treat before hiring bikes. Opening days are limited, so check first.
Atlantic Coast Express at Penquean Quarry is roughly halfway between Wadebridge and Padstow, and it is the one ice cream stop on the trail that reviewers write about. It scores 4.8 from 278 Google reviews. Reviewers praise great ice cream served with a soft wooden spoon, four large benches with room for bikes, and little roofs over the benches that keep off a shower. The view over the estuary to Rock and Padstow is the bonus. A few caveats: one reviewer found the service abrupt, and it is a seasonal-feeling trail stop, so check opening days before you cycle out in winter. Our Camel Trail guide covers the 5.5 miles to Padstow.
Beach Box Wadebridge on Eddystone Road sits right by the cycle trail. It scores 3.7 from 126 Google reviews and several reviewers complain about food quality and prices, though others praise the cheesy chips. It is not our pick for ice cream.
The harbour end is the strongest. Roskilly's on South Quay (4.6 from 75 Google reviews) is in front of the harbour. One reviewer says it sources locally from a farm on the Lizard and had around 15 flavours on offer, and says it takes debit and contactless. Others rave about the Cornish fudge ice cream, mention vegan tubs and say gluten-free cones are available, though one reviewer felt the staff were not well informed about allergens. Check with the server if you have a serious allergy. For other Padstow options, see our best ice cream in Padstow guide.
Vanilla on The Parade above Polzeath beach is rated 3.8 from 55 Google reviews, and the reviews are honest about why. Praise goes to the range of flavours, a clotted cream section, dairy-free and vegan choices and fresh hot waffles. Complaints are about price and service, and one reviewer thinks the scoops are small for the money, so look at the price board before you order. Our beaches near Wadebridge guide has parking and dog rules.
If you are coming by car, remember that parking can cost more than the ice cream: our Wadebridge parking guide lists the car parks and the free hours after 4pm.
Yes, but not in town. Vanilla at Polzeath has dairy-free and vegan flavours, and Roskilly's at Padstow sells vegan tubs and cones, according to reviewers. The Sweet Trail has vegan fudge. As always, confirm cross-contamination if you have an allergy.
Treat winter ice cream as a bonus. Seasonal cafes, especially along the trail and at Polzeath, often shorten their hours or close outside the main season, so ring or check before you travel. The reliable winter treat is a hot drink instead: our Wadebridge cream tea guide and baby-friendly cafes in Wadebridge list places that stay open. For wet weather, see our Wadebridge rainy day guide, and the Wadebridge town page and Padstow page for the rest.
There is no standalone parlour in the town centre that we could find. Little Cocoa on Molesworth Street sells ice cream among its cafe menu, and Atlantic Coast Express on the Camel Trail is the best-reviewed ice cream stop.
Yes. Atlantic Coast Express at Penquean Quarry, about halfway to Padstow, serves ice cream with benches and estuary views (4.8 from 278 Google reviews). Check opening days before you set off.
Roskilly's on South Quay (4.6 from 75 Google reviews) sells Cornish ice cream, and reviewers mention vegan tubs and gluten-free cones. One reviewer counted around 15 flavours.
Vanilla at Polzeath and Roskilly's at Padstow both offer dairy-free or vegan options according to reviewers. Ask about allergens.
Seasonal shops often cut hours or close outside the main season, so check before you drive to Vanilla on The Parade.
The Sweet Trail on Eddystone Road sells fudge and milkshakes, according to reviewers, and bike shops and cafes are within a short walk. Check opening days first.
Times, prices and dates are the businesses' and organisers' to change, so check before you travel. Spotted something we've got wrong? Tell us and we'll fix it.
See the full Wadebridge guide, filtered by who's with you.
Plan your day near Wadebridge →