Top 10 Best Ice Cream Brands in New Forest

Ice Cream Culture in the New Forest

The New Forest has all the ingredients for exceptional ice cream. Dairy farms on its fringes produce rich, creamy milk. Heathland hives yield distinctive honey. Orchards, hedgerows and market gardens supply fruit in abundance. And a steady stream of visitors, from families on day trips to cyclists and walkers, creates enthusiastic demand for a cooling treat after time spent outdoors.

Local makers have responded with creativity and craft. Some are farming families who added ice cream production to diversify their businesses; others are food entrepreneurs drawn to the district's produce and its loyal, discerning customers. Between them they have created a vibrant ice cream scene that rivals any in the country. Here are the ten brands that consistently delight residents and visitors alike.

How We Chose

We considered quality of ingredients, flavour and texture, originality, consistency, sourcing practices and reputation among customers and local retailers. Brands that produce on a small scale with genuine attention to craft, and that reflect the character of the New Forest in their products, earned particular recognition.

1. New Forest Farmhouse Ice Cream

New Forest Farmhouse Ice Cream is the district's most beloved brand. Made on a working dairy farm with milk from its own herd, the ice cream is exceptionally rich and smooth. Classic flavours such as vanilla, strawberry and chocolate sit alongside seasonal specials featuring local rhubarb, blackberries and honey. The farm's parlour is a destination in its own right, and its tubs are stocked in farm shops and delicatessens across Hampshire.

2. Heathland Honey Creamery

Heathland Honey Creamery has built its reputation on a single extraordinary ingredient: honey from bees that forage on New Forest heather. Its signature heather honey ice cream has a floral depth unlike anything else, and the range extends to honey and fig, honey and lavender and honey with toasted oats. The creamery works closely with local beekeepers and contributes to pollinator conservation.

3. Lymington Gelato Company

Lymington Gelato Company brings Italian technique to the Hampshire coast. Its gelato is churned daily in small batches with a lower fat content and denser texture than traditional ice cream, allowing flavours to shine. Pistachio, hazelnut and dark chocolate are perennial favourites, while sea salt caramel nods to the harbour setting. Its sorbets, made with seasonal fruit, are equally accomplished.

4. Brockenhurst Dairy Delights

Brockenhurst Dairy Delights is a family business known for generous, indulgent flavours. Its clotted cream vanilla, sticky toffee and rum and raisin recall traditional English desserts, and its cones are a fixture at village events and summer fairs. The company also supplies pubs and cafes throughout the central Forest.

5. Burley Berry Ices

Burley Berry Ices specialises in fruit-forward ice creams and sorbets made with berries grown on nearby farms. Strawberry, raspberry, blackcurrant and gooseberry feature prominently, alongside more unusual offerings such as elderflower and damson. The brand's commitment to seasonality means the range changes throughout the summer.

6. Milford Seaside Scoops

Overlooking the Solent, Milford Seaside Scoops captures the spirit of the British seaside with a modern twist. Its ice creams are made with local cream and feature flavours such as brown bread, lemon curd and salted honeycomb. The brand's beach kiosk is a summer institution, and its take-home tubs are increasingly available across the coastal villages.

7. Ringwood Artisan Ice Cream

Ringwood Artisan Ice Cream is the most experimental maker on our list. Its rotating menu has featured flavours such as brown butter and miso, roasted plum, Earl Grey and even a savoury goat cheese with honey. Despite its adventurous spirit, the brand maintains impeccable technique and a devoted following.

8. Fordingbridge Frozen Yoghurt

Fordingbridge Frozen Yoghurt offers a lighter alternative without compromising on flavour. Made with live yoghurt from a Hampshire dairy, its products have a refreshing tang that pairs beautifully with fruit compotes and granola toppings. The brand is popular among health-conscious customers and families.

9. Beaulieu Plant-Based Creamery

Beaulieu Plant-Based Creamery proves that dairy-free ice cream can be luxurious. Using oat, coconut and cashew bases, it produces rich, creamy flavours including salted caramel, chocolate fudge and mango passionfruit. The brand's sustainability credentials and inclusive approach have won it fans well beyond the vegan community.

10. Hythe Harbour Ices

Hythe Harbour Ices is a young brand that has quickly earned a following for its bold flavours and attractive presentation. Its coffee and cardamom, pistachio rose and raspberry ripple are frequently cited as favourites, and its collaboration with local coffee roasters and bakers has produced memorable limited editions.

Trends in New Forest Ice Cream

Local sourcing is now central to the district's ice cream culture, with makers highlighting the farms and producers behind their ingredients. Plant-based and lower-sugar options are expanding to meet changing dietary preferences. Adventurous and savoury-leaning flavours are gaining acceptance. Sustainability, from compostable packaging to reduced food miles, is increasingly important to customers. And collaborations between ice cream makers and other local food businesses are producing exciting new products.

Enjoying Ice Cream in the District

Many of these brands operate parlours, kiosks or farm shops where you can taste the range and learn about the ingredients. Look out for them at farmers markets and village fairs throughout the summer. For a memorable day, combine a walk or cycle through the Forest with a visit to one of these makers, and discover why New Forest ice cream has become a source of local pride.