The sound of an ice cream van has been named the UK's favourite nostalgic summer moment, according to a survey by Kinder Bueno Ice Cream. The nationwide study of 2,000 adults found that 46% enjoyed hearing the unmistakable jingle of the vehicle delivering cold treats.
Top nostalgic moments
Long evenings spent in the back garden came second with 34%, followed by the scent of freshly cut grass (33%), the aroma of a neighbour's BBQ (32%) and complaining about the hot weather (31%). Nearly three in 10 (29%) enjoyed hearing their favourite summer anthem on the radio, and 46% believed music was crucial to creating the perfect summer mood.
Pop (57%) emerged as Britain's favourite genre of summer music, ahead of rock (28%), club classics (22%) and reggae (19%).
Artful Dodger reimagines the jingle
UK garage artists Artful Dodger have been tasked by Kinder Bueno Ice Cream to reimagine the ice cream truck jingle, creating the "Ice Cream Track" – their first new material in over 10 years. Artful Dodger producer David Low said: "British summers are defined by their soundtracks. Whether it's a heavy bassline or the jingle of an ice cream truck, these sounds can transport us to another place and time."
Artful Dodger MC Alistair added: "Creating a fresh take on such an iconic summer sound was a lot of fun."
Event and other nostalgic items
Battersea Power Station will be the destination for the Kinder Bueno Ice Cream van on Thursday 30 July at 4pm, offering fans the chance to hear the track and sample some ice cream. Rebecca Jakob, senior brand manager for Kinder Bueno Ice Cream, said: "British summers are often defined by the little things - the familiar smells, sounds and rituals that instantly transport us back to some of our happiest memories. Whether it's hearing the ice cream van in the distance, catching the smell of a barbecue drifting through the garden or listening to the songs that soundtracked summers gone by, it's these simple moments that make the season feel so special. Summer nostalgia is incredibly powerful, and so often it's the smallest pleasures that bring the biggest sense of joy."
Other popular nostalgic summer moments included popping to the shop for an ice cream (25%), playing slot machines in seaside arcades (24%), thunderstorms (24%), water fights (21%), the smell of sunscreen (19%), seagulls stealing chips (14%) and struggling to blow up paddling pools (14%).
