Research by credit card experts at Zable has revealed that Porthmadog in Gwynedd, North Wales, is the UK's most expensive seaside town for ice cream, charging £3.85 for a single scoop. A family of four would spend £15.40 on one scoop each, rising to £21.10 for two scoops per person.
Price Gap Across the UK
The study analysed the cost of a single ice cream scoop at 33 UK coastal destinations. The cheapest spot, Barton-on-Sea in Hampshire, charges just £1.95 per scoop, creating a near-£2 gap for the same treat across the country. Porthmadog is 283 miles from Barton-on-Sea.
According to TripAdvisor, Porthmadog has only two ice cream parlours: Cariad Gelato and Cadwaladers. The town is known for its maritime history, heritage steam railways, and stunning coastlines.
Second Most Expensive: Brighton
Brighton in East Sussex ranks second, with a single scoop costing £3.71. A two-scoop cone averages £5.96. Brighton is a famous coastal destination 47 miles south of London, featuring a lively promenade, amusement piers, and boutique shops.
Cheapest Seaside Ice Cream
Barton-on-Sea is the most affordable, with a single scoop at £1.95. The village in Hampshire offers serene nature reserves and dramatic shingle spits. Its two main ice cream parlours are The Beachcomber and Little Pebbles.
Tynemouth in Tyne and Wear is another cheap option at £2.28 per scoop. Its Longsands beach holds a Blue Flag award and is easily accessible from Newcastle.
Full Rankings of Most Expensive
- Porthmadog, Wales (Gwynedd): £3.85 for one scoop, £5.28 for two
- Brighton, South East (East Sussex): £3.71 for one scoop, £5.96 for two
- New Brighton, North West (Merseyside): £3.70 for one scoop, £4.70 for two
- Aberystwyth, Wales (Ceredigion): £3.65 for one scoop, £5.05 for two
- Bournemouth, South West (Dorset): £3.57 for one scoop, £5.22 for two
- Salcombe, South West (Devon): £3.50 for one scoop, £5.25 for two
- Whitstable, South East (Kent): £3.38 for one scoop, £5.00 for two
- Tenby, Wales (Pembrokeshire): £3.33 for one scoop, £4.83 for two
- Padstow, South West (Cornwall): £3.33 for one scoop, £4.83 for two
- Margate, South East (Kent): £3.25 for one scoop, £4.98 for two
- Hastings, South East (East Sussex): £3.25 for one scoop, £4.98 for two
- Skegness, East Midlands (Lincolnshire): £3.25 for one scoop, £4.25 for two
- St Ives, South West (Cornwall): £3.23 for one scoop, £4.55 for two
