A Guide to the Best Ice Cream in the UK
The love that the British have for ice cream may come as a shock to you. Those outside of the UK rarely think of it as a beacon of summer weather and heat. But that's just one more part of life in the UK that you'll have the opportunity to discover and embrace while studying here. Truly, when those summer heat waves hit in the UK, there is nothing that helps to beat the heat than a creamy frozen desert.
Ice cream is arguably one of the best desserts there is. There’s so many flavours, it’s refreshing on a hot summer day, and it’s something many of us carry on loving from childhood. One of the first things I did upon moving to Edinburgh was find a good ice cream shop, and then I kept finding them in every city I visited! Below, I’ve provided a guide to the best Ice Cream in the UK that I’ve found (as well as some my friends have found), so you don’t need to! Don't worry they aren't all in Scotland. So no matter where you end up studying in the UK, you'll definitely be able to find a tasty treat!
Mary’s Milk Bar
This is my all-time favourite. Mary’s is a small ice cream shop in Grassmarket, Edinburgh, that has the best ice cream, gelato and sorbet that I’ve ever had in my life. All of the ice cream is hand-made by Mary, and every day she has her three standard flavours (Milk, Salted Caramel, and Dark Chocolate), and then a whole bunch of flavours that rotate throughout the day. My personal favourites are the Goats Cheese and Peach, and anything with Rhubarb (just trust me, okay?). Also, the view while you’re eating is AMAZING.
Loop and Scoop
Based in Glasgow, my friends and I would make special trips to the city just for this ice cream. They have the standard flavours that you can expect, but what makes them really special is their churros. You can get a churro cone, churro bites, or their special, the Loop and Scoop, which is a bowl with two types of ice cream and a churro looped over it. Definitely recommend if you’re looking for a sugar coma.
Prime Gelato
I visited here with a few friends while on a trip to London, and it was amazing. Serving authentic Italian gelato, this tiny shop has a laid back atmosphere, tons of gelato, and a points card for those that are really passionate about free ice cream!
Ginger’s Comfort Emporium
In June some friends and I visited Manchester, and we found Ginger’s Comfort Emporium! Amazing ice cream, served in a glass, the shop has an old school diner look. The coolest part? It’s on the third floor of an arcade, hidden away to the side, and has a wonder view and tons of shopping to do as you try to find it!
Venchi
Located in Covent Garden, London, this ice cream shop is the #1 recommendation from my friend (who also generously provided photos of all of the ice cream she’s eaten this year). She visited this shop twice during her two week stay (which says a lot, when there are so many ice cream places in London!). Served with a chocolate, doesn’t it just make you want ice cream right this minute?
Moo Pie Gelato
Located in Edinburgh, this gelato has some amazing options. Most commonly found at the Pitt Market in Leith (which you should definitely check out‑ it’s a street food market with live music), Moo Pie has rotating flavours that you can have a ton of different ways. Check out the s’mores milkshake below, and also look into their hot chocolate!
George & Davis
In Oxford, this recommendation comes to us from Advisor Heather! They have a treat called a “Mad Cow”, that she says you absolutely have to get. I haven’t been to Oxford, but I know where I’m going as soon as I get a chance! They’re known for steaming their ice cream to create a latte, and that sounds like something I need to try.
Yolkin Ice Cream
Based in London, our other advisor Brittany recommends Yolkin Ice Cream! This shop specializes in macaron ice cream sandwiches, which sounds like something we all need in our lives, don’t you agree? Located on Rupert Street, don’t miss a chance to try these out!
The other bonus of most of these places? They have sorbet options, for those that are lactose intolerant! I’ve tried the sorbets at the ones I’ve visited, and they’re just as amazing as the ice cream. Definitely check out any of these spots if you’re in the area!
PS. I may or may not have written this blog post while eating dark chocolate ice cream from Mary’s Milk Bar. Did I mention they have it to go?
Travelling Abroad While Abroad
At some point during your studies you are bound to get the travel bug. One of the bigger perks to living in the UK is that international travel becomes significantly cheaper, and breathtaking destinations are often a short train or plane ride away. If you find yourself with a long weekend, or a break in your class schedule, it’s beyond tempting to jet off to Spain or France for a few days. The best part? YOU CAN! If you’re itching to check off a few bucket-list destinations don’t forget these essential items to make your life as a student easier and give you the ability to vacation in peace. Below we break down some tips for travelling abroad while abroad!
Spontaneity is okay
Make the most of your free time! One of the biggest differences that I noticed when arranging trips while living abroad is that I can book a cheap last-minute trip anywhere with very little hassle! Vacation sites will often have deals for last-minute vacation-bookers so you can land yourself with an amazing deal with short notice.
You may also have to check in with your university if you are intending to leave depending on the university. It’s best to check with your international office before solidifying any plans.
You can also bring some homework with you! As a literature student, I always had books and articles to read in order to stay on top of my studies. Brining some of this reading with you is a great way to kill time at the airport, and put your student mind at ease.
Pack light!
If you’re spending 2 days in Paris do you really need 10 different outfits? Pack interchangeable items while travelling abroad and leave yourself room to pick up some fun postcards or souvenirs for your friends and family at home (your back and shoulders will also thank you for it.)
Leaving space for souvenirs gives you the chance to pick up some great conversation pieces! There's nothing quite like someone complimenting your outfit and being able to say "Thanks! I got it in Italy!"
Read up on your intended destination
The UK is a quick train ride or flight away from many exotic and incredible destinations. With so many opportunities to expand your worldview, it’s important to keep in mind that your intended destinations will most likely speak a different language, have different customs and use a different currency than what you’re used to. Take the time before you book your trip to read up on your destination and prepare yourself for what to expect.
If you’re travelling to a non-English speaking country, learn a few phrases in the native language. The locals will appreciate the effort!
Make use of Budget Airlines
Budget airlines can be a great way to save money, but don't fall victim to hidden fees! Triple check bag allowances, bring your own snacks, and a reusable water bottle. You can fill this up once you pass security and stay hydrated!
Don’t try and see everything at once
It’s so easy to get caught up in the excitement of travelling abroad, and even though you’ll want to experience everything that it has to offer, the reality is: if you’re going to Paris (for example) for 2 days YOU CANNOT SEE EVERYTHING. Pick and choose the landmarks, museums or restaurants that are most important to you and ENJOY what you’re seeing. You will not be able to enjoy yourself if you’re constantly looking at your watch and thinking about how the Louvre closes in 2 hours. You can always plan another trip, but you won’t be able to re-capture your feelings the first time you’re in a new location.
Top tip: Travel during the off-season for additional savings and fewer crowds at popular destinations.
Read Reviews
While not reading reviews and landing yourself in a strange hotel can make for some fun stories later, it often just leads to stress in the moment. Avoid this common mishap and do a little bit of quick reading about the hotel, hostel or inn that you’re staying at as well as the area in which it’s located. Consider items like accessibility to transit, proximity to popular attractions, safety features offered by the hotel etc. Knowing these items will put your mind at ease and give you the ability to really enjoy your getaway.
Reading reviews can also give you an idea of wait times at more popular destinations and allow you to decide which tickets might be worth purchasing ahead of time in order to avoid the crowds.
Bond with Friends - or yourself
Travelling with friends can be a great bonding experience. You’ll create memories together that you can share long into the future. It also gives you something fun to anticipate and plan as a team.
Travelling alone can also be an enriching experience, and if you've never travelled by yourself, why not take some time to do so while you're studying? You can learn a lot about yourself even if doing a little day trip! It can feel lonely at first, but it also pushes you WAY out of your comfort zone. Remember to be safe about your planning, and inform someone of your plans.
Check your phone plan!
I can’t speak to every phone plan in the UK but when I looked into a phone plan for myself, I made sure that I knew what features were available to me once I left London. I was used to expecting expensive international charges when I wanted to use my phone on vacation, and I wanted to make sure this didn’t happen abroad. My phone plan had a set amount of data that worked all across the UK and Europe so no matter where I ended up in my travelling I knew that I wouldn’t have to worry about additional or secret international charges should I want to keep in touch with my family (or check out the different snap chat filters in various cities). It was a pleasant surprise and worth checking before you leave! Alternatively, look into an eSim which can be a more affordable data plan and customizable depending on your travel location and duration of stay.
Travelling to new places and immersing yourself with new cultures is extremely beneficial for personal growth.
Sports 101 for Canadian Students in the UK
Updated 18 July 2024 by Advisor Brittany.
Spectator Sports and Etiquette
Canadians are no strangers to spectator sports. Professional, semi-professional and university level teams are scattered across the country which means there is ample opportunity to watch your favourite teams play in person or on television/streaming services.
The UK is no different. Spectator sports are insanely popular events in the UK, with some of the most popular sports being football (aka soccer), rugby, tennis and cricket. It is quite easy to arrange viewing of one of these popular sports either in person or at the local pub, so I highly recommend seeking out some of the popular sports to attend during your stay in the UK.
Below you’ll find some information that might be useful to know if you’re planning on seeking out some very popular sports to attend and give you a little insight into how sporting events work in the UK, how they differ from similar events in Canada, and what you should know to ensure you have the best and safest time viewing.
Team colours and histories are a little more important
We’re familiar with sports rivalries in Canada, but if you’re living in an area that has a popular sports team in the UK, you should be aware of what the team’s colours are. You should also take note of opposition colours.
Believe it or not, spectator sports, such as football are incredibly popular in the UK and the supporters can get quite rowdy in public. A popular example from London is the rivalry between Chelsea Football Club (blue) and Arsenal Football club (red). If you live in London and find yourself in a Chelsea pub on an important match day, you may be asked to leave (for your own safety) if you are wearing the colour red (the colour of rival team Arsenal).
It might seem a bit extreme, but colours are not the only significant distinguishing factor between football clubs in the UK. Another example from Scotland can be seen with their two major football teams (Rangers and Celtics). These two teams (both located in Glasgow) have official "non-sectarian" policies but their fanbase still reflects the historic divide between Protestants and Catholics. Pubs and bars will often ban people from wearing team colours during matches to avoid incidents.
Spectator sports are not always one-day events
If you’re a fan of going to sporting events in Canada, you’re probably used to taking a few hours out of your day (most likely in the evening) so see your favourite hockey, basketball or baseball team play. This isn’t the case for all spectator sports, though! The extremely popular sport Cricket has several different types of matches that can range between a few hours (like what you would experience from watching a baseball game) to several days! If this is something that you’d be interested in experiencing, make sure you’re aware of the different types of Cricket games so that you know exactly what you’re in for:
- Twenty20 (also known as T20) – This is the shortened version of Cricket but still takes place at the professional level.
- Test Cricket – This is the version which has the longest match duration. Games at this level can take up to 5 days to complete!
** Are you in the UK to study law? Cricket, as a game, doesn’t technically have any rules! Instead, the rules and regulations are referred to as ‘Laws’. There are currently 42 Laws that outline how the game is to be played.
Some sporting events have a dress code
Some higher-end sporting events are not always accessible to the general public, but it’s worth taking note of these events that require their spectators to conform to certain clothing restrictions. Certain sporting events are made to be lavish excuses to wear fancy attire and bring out the best fascinators (hats) to make a statement. Popular sports where this is a tradition include:
Cricket
Specifically, the Ashes which is a Test Cricket series played between England and Australia.
Tennis
Specifically, the Wimbledon Championships*. This tournament bans the wearing of items such as dirty athletic shoes or cut-off shorts. While there is no official dress code for spectators at this event, you will likely feel out of place if you don’t dress ‘smart’.
*Believe it or not, it is possible to get tickets to this iconic tournament day-of! Though still difficult, if you think this is something you’d like to try and see, and happen to be studying in/around London, a quick trip to Wimbledon will give you the opportunity to stand in what is called ‘The Queue’. Information about this unique experience, (including downloadable PDF guides) can be found on the tournament’s official website.
Horse Racing
Specifically, the Royal Ascot which has an official dress code featuring restrictions on items like the base of your fascinator or headpiece. The official restrictions state that ‘fascinators and headpieces without a base of 4 inches (10cm) are not permitted’.
There are long-standing rivalries and traditions that go along with them
You’re probably aware of the top 2 universities in the UK according to the Times Higher Ranking, commonly referred to as ‘Oxbridge’, but what you may not be aware of is that these two rival universities participate in an event called ‘The Boat Race’ each year drawing an estimated 250,000 spectators in London. There are many areas where you can view this race for free along the Thames (typically in the Putney or Hammersmith area) and spectators will be met with a carnival-like environment including food and drink stalls! This is the perfect opportunity to grab a pitcher of Pimm’s with your friends and take in this exciting event! You will be outside to make sure you dress according to the weather.
Some sporting events are different- and that’s okay
Gloucester Cheese Rolling
Not your typical spectator sport; the Gloucester Cheese Rolling is an event that takes place in Gloucester’s Cooper Hill. The event involves a big wheel of Gloucester cheese (yum) and its roller who anxiously chases the cheese down the steep hill to catch it.
Although it’s probably not possible to catch the wheel of cheese, the winner of this race is the first person to cross the finish line at the bottom of the hill.
Believe it or not, this world-famous event has taken place in Gloucester since the 1800s!
This event is free to observe but, depending on where you’re located, will take some time to get to as many streets close around Cooper hill the day of the event. Best to plan ahead if this is something you’d be interested in seeing!
Befriending Other International Students
Amongst the fears of moving across the pond, we also fear if we are going to make friends. This is one of the things I was most worried about as without friends, the experience would be very lonely. However, I assure you, it is much easier to making friends abroad than you would expect!
Despite being from different backgrounds, you and your international classmates probably have compatible personalities. It takes a certain type of person to pick up and move to a new continent. You’re probably adventurous, independent, and interested in the world. Of course, every international student is unique, but having those qualities in common can lead to a quick friendship. You will probably find yourself gravitating towards these peers because you have similar ways of seeing the world. You’d be surprised at how many barriers you can overcome when you have a shared love of travel.
Utilize Social Media Groups
My first tip for making friends abroad are Facebook and Whatsapp groups. I got to know the group of friends that I have now, due to these groups. Everyone is in the same boat, whether you are an international student or not. This meaning that everyone is trying to find friends, or at least get familiar with a few people before uni starts. I would definitely recommend getting involved in these groups and talking about yourself because I did that, and everyone is so friendly and accepting. The larger groups, so for example I was in the “Law Freshers” group was then divided into a smaller group of just Canadians on the course, this was super helpful again, because it allows you to see who you will be studying with abroad.
Attend "Freshers Week"
The second way to make friends with international students abroad is when you first arrive at the uni. There will be “Freshers Week” which has a bunch of activities and parties you can attend to help get familiar around campus and the city, as well as make new friends. For my first week at Leicester, we had a few lectures surrounding the law school and what to expect, this was a great way for me to put faces to names that I had read in the chat. The friends that I made from the chat agreed to go together to these lectures so we would all have someone to sit with, I suggest doing this as well, so you don’t feel so overwhelmed!
Join a Club, Tutorial or Study Group
Universities are amazing today in offering clubs and societies to appeal to every intertest and hobby imaginable. Universities can have hundreds of clubs available to students ranging from wine tasters, surfing or even Taylor Swift! Joining one or more of these groups provides a great and easy way to expand your friend network with people who share similar interests as you.
Since you'll be staying on top of your studies anyways, you can also make friends through a tutorial or study group. These are often small (5-8 people) and usually will be in the same program as you. These are people that you see so often and end up befriending. One of my now really good friends is from my tutorial group and I couldn’t be more thankful for that.
Think Outside your Program
If you're living in university accommodation, this can also be a good way to meet students from outside your program. Befriending flatmates who are studying other programs will also enrich your experience and give you a break from program-specific topics. While it's good to have a set of friends from within your program to aid with studies or in-class items, adventuring outside of your program and participating in university clubs is a great way to meet like-minded individuals and can lead to some long lasting friendships outside of your discipline. For example, if you're studying Law but like to watch films in your free time, consider joining a film club! If you have a second passion for sports, or want to try a new sport like rowing or football, consider joining a extracurricular! The amount of clubs available at UK universities are endless, and most universities will also allow students to start their own club if a specific subject or club doesn't already exist.
Put Yourself Out There!
Lastly, the best way to befriend other international students is to put yourself out there! Everyone is literally in the same boat as you and they all are nervous about meeting new people and living in a new area. Once you get your core group of friends at the beginning, there is no going downhill from there.
Make sure when you first meet someone to get their contact info. This can be as simple as adding them on Facebook or following them on Instagram, just a way that you can connect in the future. There is nothing worse then finding someone you really get on with in class or at a party and then not being able to find them again!
Don't forget about the locals
Your classes won't be entirely filled with international students, so don't forget to make efforts with local students as well. Having friends from the UK can be a great resource and give you people that can show you around the UK. They might know unique tips and tricks only a local can and help you integrate into the UK culture with more ease.
I highly believe that these are the friends that will last you a lifetime. If you have any more questions or concerns, Across the Pond Advisors are always there to help.
Tea: A UK Tradition
Prior to arriving in the UK, I worked at a tea shop, where I learned to become a serious tea aficionado. And after living here for a few months, I’ve managed to learn a thing or two about the UK’s rules about tea, and the traditions that make afternoon tea so special.
A British Cup of Tea
Although the UK was not the original birthplace of tea, the Brits are notorious for steeping a pretty good cup. If you order tea at any café or restaurant, these are the flavours that will most likely be on the menu:
- Earl Grey
- English Breakfast
- Lemon Ginger
- Chamomile
- Peppermint
Although tea is slowly becoming trendier and there are tons of specialty tea shops opening up, the simple flavours still prevail. Sure, if you go to an afternoon tea event, they’ll most likely be serving English Breakfast. But as far as popularity goes, Earl Grey is still at the top. Fun fact: Earl Grey tea is named after the British Prime Minister, Charles Grey. He sat as Prime Minister from 1830-1834 and was originally from the county of Northumberland.
Now, if we’re talking about steeping tea, we need to discuss the issue that divides people more than any political debate or family game night: the, “milk before tea or tea before milk” debate.
I’ve had some experience with differing opinions on this topic, and this seems to be the most common answer:
If you’re making tea in a mug, you steep it, remove the tea bag, and then add milk. If you’re using a teapot, THAT’S where the debate begins. The argument for milk first is that if you’re using fine china and for drinking tea, pouring the tea first will crack the china. But, if you pour milk first, there will be no thermal shock to the china and it won’t crack.
The argument for tea before milk is that the amount of milk you add is based on how much tea you have in your cup; the ratio will just be more balanced that way!
But no matter how you take your tea, it always tastes better in the middle of the afternoon with some treats.
Afternoon Tea
Afternoon tea was once an event for the socially elite, but has transformed into a staple of the British experience. The tradition was born in the 1800’s, and is not a feature of many popular restaurants and hotels.
I’ve been told that there’s no specific order to eat the food on the tray, but I’ve come to the conclusion that it makes the most sense to go top to bottom- start with the savoury treats, move to the scones to “cleanse the palette”, and then dive into the sweet stuff.
And if one debate isn’t enough, here’s another: the scone debacle. Is it jam before cream, or cream before jam? Just for the record, mine is jam before cream.
