Iceflation: The cost of an ice cream at seaside locations across the UK in 2026
Written byEmily Tye
Updated:May 20, 2026
Few things are as quintessentially British as a seaside ice cream, whether it’s a modest single scoop on a blustery afternoon or a double cone in the sunshine. But while the ritual may feel timeless, the price is anything but consistent.
New research from credit card experts Zable has revealed the cost of a single scoop cone across seaside destinations throughout the UK, revealing significant variation in what families can expect to pay depending on where they choose to spend the day.
The most expensive UK seaside locations for ice cream
The data reveals that Porthmadog, a picturesque harbour town in North Wales, has scooped the title of the UK’s most expensive seaside destination for ice cream, with holidaymakers paying a chilling average of £3.85 for a single scoop. Compared to the cheapest location in the study - Barton-on-Sea (£1.95) - a single scoop in Porthmadog costs almost double.
In Porthmadog, if a family of four want to enjoy a single scoop each, it would cost £15.40 on average, rising to £21.10 if everyone opts for two.
The top 10 most expensive UK seaside ice creams:
Rank | Beach location | Region | County | Price of one scoop cone | Price of two scoop cone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Porthmadog | Wales | Gwynedd | £3.85 | £5.28 |
2 | Brighton | South East | East Sussex | £3.71 | £5.96 |
3 | New Brighton | North West | Merseyside | £3.70 | £4.70 |
4 | Aberystwyth | Wales | Ceredigion | £3.65 | £5.05 |
5 | Bournemouth | South West | Dorset | £3.57 | £5.22 |
6 | Salcombe | South West | Devon | £3.50 | £5.25 |
7 | Whitstable | South East | Kent | £3.38 | £5.00 |
8 | Tenby | Wales | Pembrokeshire | £3.33 | £4.83 |
8 | Padstow | South West | Cornwall | £3.33 | £4.83 |
9 | Margate | South East | Kent | £3.25 | £4.98 |
9 | Hastings | South East | East Sussex | £3.25 | £4.98 |
9 | Skegness | East Midlands | Lincolnshire | £3.25 | £4.25 |
10 | St Ives | South West | Cornwall | £3.23 | £4.55 |
*Locations are ranked by the cost of a single scoop of ice cream.
Brighton comes in second place, with holidaymakers to the popular seaside city paying an average of £3.71 for a single scoop, or £14.84 if a family of four each opt for one scoop each.
Third place goes to New Brighton, the popular Merseyside resort with stunning views of sandy beaches and the Liverpool skyline. Here, visitors are paying £3.70 per scoop, or £14.80 for four single scoop cones.
Meanwhile, Aberystwyth, popular for its charming Victorian character, charges an average of £3.65 per scoop. Rounding out the top five is Bournemouth, where a single scoop now averages £3.57.
The most affordable UK seaside locations for ice cream
On the affordable end of the scale, the clifftop village of Barton-on-Sea claims the title of the UK’s most affordable seaside destination for ice cream, with visitors paying just £1.95 on average for a single scoop. For a family of four, that comes to only £7.80 for one scoop each, rising to £14.20 if everyone chooses two scoops.
The top 10 most affordable UK seaside ice creams:
Rank | Beach location | Region | County | Price of one scoop cone | Price of two scoop cone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Barton-on-Sea | South East | Hampshire | £1.95 | £3.55 |
2 | Tynemouth | North East | Tyne and Wear | £2.28 | £3.22 |
3 | Ilfracombe | South West | Devon | £2.30 | £3.63 |
3 | Portree | Scotland | Highland | £2.30 | £3.35 |
4 | Saltburn | North East | North Yorkshire | £2.37 | £3.37 |
5 | Whitby | Yorkshire and the Humber | North Yorkshire | £2.38 | £3.37 |
6 | Folkestone | South East | Kent | £2.45 | £3.58 |
7 | Deal | South East | Kent | £2.48 | £4.20 |
8 | Falmouth | South West | Cornwall | £2.57 | £3.37 |
9 | Cromer | East of England | Norfolk | £2.73 | £4.00 |
10 | Scarborough | Yorkshire and the Humber | North Yorkshire | £2.75 | £3.77 |
*Locations are ranked by the cost of a single scoop of ice cream.
Coming in second is Tynemouth in the North East, known for its sweeping sandy beaches, where seaside visitors can enjoy a single scoop for an average of £2.28. That means a family of four would spend just £9.12 for single scoop cones, making it one of the best-value beach destinations in the UK.
Joint third place goes to both Ilfracombe in Devon and Portree on the Isle of Skye, where a single scoop costs £2.30 on average. For families, that works out at £9.20 for four single scoop cones while exploring the harbours, beaches and coastal scenery these destinations are known for.
Meanwhile, Saltburn, with its Victorian pier, cliff tramway and surf-friendly coastline, charges an average of £2.37 per scoop. Close behind is Whitby, the historic fishing town famed for its gothic abbey and connections to Dracula, where a single scoop averages £2.38.
James Goforth at Zable says: "While an ice cream might feel like one of the smaller costs of a family day out, our research shows that prices can vary fairly significantly depending on where in the UK you choose to visit. At the most expensive destinations, a simple treat for a family of four can cost upwards of £15 for a single scoop each - and that is before you factor in travel, parking, food, and everything else that comes with a day at the beach. Those small purchases add up faster than most people realise.
"What is perhaps most striking is that a higher price tag does not always mean a bigger, busier destination. Some of the smallest seaside villages in the country are charging prices that rival the most visited coastal cities - a reflection of just how much limited competition, rather than tourism demand alone, can shape what we pay, even for something as simple as an ice cream.
“For families looking to make the most of their budget this summer, it is worth doing a little research before heading out. There is still excellent value to be found at the seaside, you just need to know where to look."
Methodology:
Zable analysed a seedlist of 33 UK seaside locations, recording the price of both one and two scoop ice creams.
To find the average cost of one scoop and two scoops of ice cream in each seaside town, Zable analysed three of the top-rated ice cream parlours for each location. For the top five larger locations, five ice cream shop locations were analysed where possible to calculate a proportional average. The cost of a single scoop of ice cream cone (classic flavour) was researched for each store, by viewing their online menu or calling the location and enquiring. An average price was then calculated for each town.
In smaller locations, where a third shop was unavailable or could not be reached, data from two shops was used instead. Where a third shop could not be contacted, attempts were made to replace it with an alternative ice cream shop.
All data collected May 2026.