You might be surprised to learn just how much the British love their ice cream. Sure, the UK isn’t exactly known for endless sunshine, but that doesn’t stop people here from indulging in a scoop (or three) whenever the sun does make an appearance. In fact, when those summer heatwaves roll in – and yes, they do happen – few things hit the spot like a creamy, cold dessert.
Ice cream has that magical quality: it’s nostalgic, it’s refreshing, and it somehow never stops being exciting, no matter how old you are. There are endless flavours to try, and for many of us, it’s one of those treats we’ve loved since childhood.
But first….
Do you know the difference between ice cream and gelato?
Photo Credit: Matt Austin, for Baboo Gelato
They may look similar in the scoop, but ice cream and gelato are distinct treats with different textures, flavours, and even traditions behind them.
Ice cream is what many of us grew up with: rich, creamy, and whipped to be light and airy. It’s made with more cream (and sometimes egg yolks), then churned fast to incorporate air, which gives it that fluffy, melt-in-your-mouth texture. It’s usually served colder too, which means the flavours are a little more muted until it starts to soften.
Gelato, Italy’s answer to ice cream, takes a different approach. It uses more milk than cream and is churned slowly, resulting in a denser, silkier texture with less air. It’s served at a slightly warmer temperature, which allows the flavours to shine through with incredible intensity.
4 English Artisan Gelato You’ll Want in Your Freezer This Summer
At Panzer’s, we’re lucky to stock some of the best artisan gelato in the country, each with their own story, approach to flavour, and irresistibly good taste.
So, if you’ve got a pint of ice cream in your freezer, now is the time to grab it and settle in while you read. No ice cream at home? Don’t worry – you’ll want to head to Panzer’s after this.
This summer, we’re celebrating the creators behind the scoops. Meet four of our favourite English ice cream makers and discover how they turn cream into magic – plus a few cheeky serving ideas from us (and them).
1. Baboo Gelato
Photo on the left: Annie & Sam Hanbury, owners
Photo on the top: Annie & Sam Hanbury, owners
Annie and her husband, Sam were inspired to start Baboo Gelato after returning to the UK from Singapore, where they use to enjoy taking their four small children to an ice cream shop that sold delicious local flavours. Disappointed by the UK’s industrial offerings, they set out to create something exceptional using seasonal fruits from their Dorset Garden and organic milk from Somerset. Annie trained one year in Italy at the renowned Gelato University in Bologna.
Their efforts quickly paid off, winning a Champion Ice Cream award in their first year. The name Baboo is a heartfelt tribute to Annie’s Russian grandmother.
Photo Credit: Matt Austin, for Baboo Gelato
At Panzer’s, we offer a wide range of flavours to suit every taste. Some of our favourites include classic gelato, like Coffee, Hazelnut, Vanilla, Double Chocolate, and Mint Chocolate, as well as refreshing sorbets such as Mango, Elderflower, and Passionfruit. And that’s just the beginning – there’s even more to discover in store!
Top Recommendation from Sam: Mint Chocolate Chip Gelato. Recently awarded with three stars at Great Taste Awards, Mint Chocolate Chip Gelato contains only local, organic milk, black peppermint from Summerdown Farm, stracciatella and Belgian chocolate, no chemical emulsifiers or gum stabilisers.
Pair it Like a Pro
“We love it plain, we love it with sauces, we love it in a sundae or in an affogato. But for a more unusual treat we put a frozen croissant in a waffle iron until it is nice and golden, add a generous dollop of ice cream, some whipped cream, and a little chocolate sauce, and drift off to heaven “.
Parlours
Baboo Gelato Lyme Regis 3 Marine Parade, Lyme Regis, DT7 3JF
4 Broad St, Lyme Regis, DT7 3QD
Baboo Gelato Kiosk no 5, The Green West Bay, Bridport DT6 4HA
BABOO SWANAGE 19 Institute Rd, Swanage BH19 1BT
Felicity’s Farm Shop, Morcombe Lake, Dorset DT6 6DJ
Weymouth Beach Kiosk Opposite Gloucester Lodge the Esplanade Weymouth DT4 7AN
Visit https://baboogelato.com/
2. Jefferson's Ice Cream
Photo on the left: Celine & Christopher; Photo on the right: Max scooping
Jefferson’s began in Celine’s kitchen, born out of her son Aidan’s food intolerance and a mother’s determination to make something he could enjoy. However, the more they learnt about ice cream the more disappointed they became. So, her and her husband Christopher decided to leave their corporate jobs and set out to start Jefferson’s Ice Cream.
They founded Jefferson’s with a simple mission: to create feel-good moments through seriously good ice cream. Tired of overly processed options, they set out to do things differently, using British organic milk and double cream, and ingredients that were free of artificial flavours and colours. As Celine says, “We believe ice cream should be fun, nostalgic, and made with care”.
Photo Credit: Jefferson Ice Cream
Our favourites at Panzer’s include Best Chocolate Ever Ice cream, Brookies & Cream, Rockiest Road, Sea Salt Caramel, Strawberry Compote, Vanilla Honeycomb.
Top Recommendation from Celine: The Brookies & Cream “It’s the perfect balance of brownie/cookie texture with a smooth toffee creaminess that keeps people coming back for more. It really captures what we’re about: playful, comforting and just a little bit decadent”
How to Enjoy it?
“A scoop (or two) straight from the tub is always a win. But we also love it sandwiched between cookies or served on top of waffles with a drizzle of our house sauces. Ice cream should be joyful; however, you enjoy it!”
Pair it Like a Pro
Try a scoop of Strawberry Compote with a splash of prosecco. Or try their Best Chocolate Ever with a pinch of sea salt and olive oil for a rich, grown-up twist.
Parlours:
Balham 191B Balham High Road, London SW12 9BE
Brixton Arch 545, Brixton Station Road London SW9 8PF
If you’re close to Balham or Brixton, come by and say hello – they’re always scooping something special. Not nearby? You can still get your fix at Panzer’s, where we proudly stock a huge selection of Jefferson’s flavours.
3. Norfolk County Artisan Ice Cream
Team: Dave-Production Assistant, Damian- General Manager and Michael-Production Supervisor
Norfolk County Ice Cream began in the mid – 80s with a simple idea: make ice cream the way you’d do it at home, using fresh cream and quality ingredients. It quickly found its place as a rich, luxurious treat for adults who appreciate pure flavour.
Chris Coughlan, the current owner, discovered Lakenham Creamery for sale in the Sunday Telegraph after returning to the UK from Nigeria. He made the leap from soap to ice cream and never looked back.
Photo Credit: Lakenham Creamery
Our Favourites at Panzer’s include New York Coffee, Belgian Chocolate, Coconut & Cream, Peaches & Cream, Rich Butterscotch.
Come in store to explore even more irresistible flavours.
Top Recommendation: Norfolk County French Vanilla Ice Cream it’s made using just 5 simple ingredients: fresh cream 80%, sugar, egg yolks, skimmed milk powder and a Natural vanilla bean extract. “It’s clean, honest, and simply delicious”.
Pair it Like a Pro
Pair Norfolk County French Vanilla Ice Cream with a drizzle of Balsamic Vinegar on a bed of fresh strawberries – this dessert is a surprisingly delicious and sophisticated flavour pairing that brings together sweet, tart, creamy and tangy elements in a balanced and refreshing dessert.
Where to find them?
Lakenham Creamery, 2 Trafalgar Street, Norwich, Norfolk, NR1 3HN.
If you’re in the area, visit their on-site Factory Shop, open to public Monday to Friday, 8:30am- 4:30pm and enjoy over 24 different flavours of ice cream, suitable to please any kind of ice cream lover.
Visit https://www.lakenhamcreamery.co.uk/
4. Bears Ice Cream Imaginarium
What began as a teenage kitchen job evolved into a lifelong passion for creating exceptional ice cream. Phil, affectionately known as Mr Bear, learned to make ice cream in a restaurant where everything was made from scratch and the love for ice-cold indulgences never left him. Bored of the ice cream scene, he set out to create something more seasonal, more chef-driven, and full of imagination. The name and logo were inspired by their family nickname – they’ve always been known as” The Bears”. Phil believes ice cream should be an experience – the main event, not just an extra part to a dessert or a quick treat “Life’s too short for boring ice cream.”
Photo Credit: Bears Ice cream
Our Favourites include Apple Jazz Cinnamon Sponge, Blueberry & Lavander, Brown Butter Popcorn, Salted Toasted Pumpkin. At Panzer’s, they’re available in 450g tubs and as indulgent ice cream sandwiches – think Triple Chocolate, Lemon Meringue, Raspberry Ripple Birthday, and Strawberry & Sprinkles.
Top Recommendation from Phil: Miso, Banana & Butterscotch Pudding. It’s sweet and salty, it has chunks of sticky toffee pudding sponge in it and ripest bananas from a local supplier.
Pair it Like a Pro
Try it with a warm drizzle of chocolate or sea salt caramel or go all in by stuffing a scoop into a fresh doughnut. Why not trying one of our cinnamon & raising bagel with a scoop (or two) of Apple Jazz Cinnamon Sponge. It’s pure indulgence.
Parlours:
Bears Ice Cream Imaginarium, 81 High Street, Whitstable Kent.
PAVILION W6 Brook Green, London, W6 7BL
You can let your imagination run wild by building your own creations at their Soft Serve shops or take home one of their handcrafted flavour combinations from the small-batch Scoop Club range.
From family kitchens to country creameries, these artisan gelatos are more than dessert — they’re stories in every scoop.
Pop into Panzer’s to find your flavour… and while you’re at it, check out our full range of ice creams too. There’s plenty more to explore!
