Cool ways to celebrate Ice Cream Day

July marks National Ice Cream month AND National Ice Cream Day - what better excuse to enjoy a cold treat?! Here's the scoop on our best ice cream spots.

The Italian Influence

Ice cream parlours and coffee shops – known as Bracchis – were opened across Rhondda Cynon Taf by Italians who migrated here during the coal mining boom.

Some of them remain open to this day, including Servini’s in Aberdare and Conti’s in Tonypandy (which still serve ice cream).

Caffe Bracchi at A Welsh Coal Mining Experience at Rhondda Heritage Park Museum is a celebration of the Italians who settled in Rhondda Cynon Taf. A Welsh Coal Mining Experience brings to life the epic tale of coal mining and industry that unfolded here, told by guides who once worked as miners.

Sub Zero Ice Cream

Rhondda Cynon Taf is home to the famous Sub Zero, which is now sold at resorts across Wales. It opened its first parlour in Penrhiwfer and there are over 60 flavours to choose from. Once you’ve decided which flavour(s) you want, it’s time to choose if you have it served in a cone, a tub, in a crepe or on a hot waffle – oh and which sauce!

Ice cream with a view

Ice cream with a view. It doesn’t matter what flavour the ice cream is, it will always taste better eaten with a view like this – Rhigos mountain viewpoint is one of the best places to relax.

Shake, Waffle and Cone

Ice cream and more!  Shake, Waffle N Cone is based in Market Street in Aberdare and serves ice creams, waffles, trifles, slush, cakes and more. The perfect place for a sweet treat this summer. Get it to take away and enjoy in the grounds of beautiful Aberdare Park, which has an adventure playground, splashpad, boating lake and more.

Scoops and Smiles

Enjoy home-made gelato, ice cream, sundaes, cakes and slush cocktails at Scoops and Smiles in Ferndale, which has indoor and outdoor seating, including front and rear gardens. Divine

Bwlch Mountain

Ewe going to share that?! A lay-by on the top of the Bwlch Mountain, where the county boroughs of Rhondda Cynon Taf, Bridgend and Neath Porth Talbot meet, is the most surprising visitor destination – but people love it. You can see for miles from the viewpoint, which has its own ice cream van. Watch out for the local sheep – who aren’t shy.

10 Below

Treorchy is a winner of the Best Independent High Street in the UK, and it’s no wonder why. It has a great mix of shops and places to eat and drink. Including ice cream parlour 10 Below, the perfect place to chill out after an afternoon shopping!

Kirsty's Kandy

Kirsty’s Kandy in Porth is the place where you can get giant ice cream trays, with delicious flavours including Mega Meringue, Cookie Crunch and Fizzy Whizzy. They are also stockists of a range of the Sub Zero flavours. It’s also the place you can get a side of your favourite retro or American sweets while you are there. Why not grab it to take away and enjoy in the grounds of beautiful Bronwydd Park?

Mr Creemy

 Mr Creemy is a Rhondda  tradition and their shop in Penygraig is stacked with different flavours of ice cream, as well as ice cream deserts, waffles, cones and more. They also serve refreshing sorbets – a dream on a hot day. Why not take your Mr Creemy to Penygraig Park and enjoy it in the fresh air and beautiful surroundings?

Don't forget the dogs!

Don’t forget the dogs! Dare Valley Country Park and Barry Sidings Country Park Cafe are both dog-friendly venues serving Mario’s Utterly Mutterly ice cream – so your four-legged friends can join the celebrations.