At a glance
Welsh ice cream institution since 1927 — the original Criccieth parlour serves scores of handmade flavours a short walk from the castle and beach. A classic North Wales seaside treat. Open spring–autumn. LL52 0HS.
About Cadwalader's Ice Cream
Cadwalader's has been making ice cream in Criccieth since 1927. The family business started on the Llŷn Peninsula in the years when ice cream parlours were spreading through British seaside towns, bringing Italian dairy traditions to the British coast. Cadwalader's took root in Criccieth — a small coastal town below a native Welsh castle — and stayed. Nearly a century later, the original parlour in the town square is still operating, still making ice cream to traditional recipes, and still synonymous with a day out on this stretch of Cardigan Bay.
The ice cream is made using high-quality dairy and natural flavours, producing a dense, creamy product that differs noticeably from mass-produced alternatives. The range runs to scores of flavours — core dairy options, fruit sorbets, and a rotating selection of seasonal and Welsh-themed specials — and has expanded over the years to include outlets in other North Wales towns. The Criccieth parlour remains the original and the one with the strongest connection to the brand's history and identity.
Criccieth itself makes the stop worthwhile beyond the ice cream: the castle on its headland is managed by Cadw, the beach below it is one of the more pleasant on this stretch of the coast, and the Lloyd George Museum at Llanystumdwy 2 miles east is one of the better political museums in Wales. The town has a station on the Cambrian Coast Line — trains connect to Porthmadog (8 miles) and Pwllheli (Llŷn Peninsula).
Find it on the map
Frequently asked questions
Cadwalader's has been making ice cream in Criccieth since 1927 — nearly a century of continuous production on the <span lang="cy">Llŷn</span> Peninsula. The ice cream is made using traditional methods and high-quality dairy, with an emphasis on natural flavours and a creamy, dense texture that differs from mass-produced alternatives. The range runs to scores of flavours: classic dairy (vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, clotted cream), fruit sorbets, and more adventurous seasonal specials. It has become synonymous with a day out on the North Wales coast.
The original and principal Cadwalader's parlour is in Criccieth town — a short walk from the castle headland and the beach. The town square location has been operating for decades and is the heart of the brand. Cadwalader's has expanded to have outlets in other North Wales towns and beyond, but the Criccieth parlour is the original. The combination of Criccieth Castle on its headland, the beach below, and a Cadwalader's cone has become one of the classic North Wales day-out experiences.
The range is extensive and changes seasonally. Core flavours include classic dairy ice creams (vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, mint choc chip, clotted cream, honeycomb) alongside fruit sorbets and more unusual options that vary with the season. Welsh flavours — including Welsh honey, Welsh cream, and occasionally lavender — appear in the rotation. The staff at the parlour are experienced in helping visitors navigate the options. Cones, tubs, and wafers are available.
Criccieth is a pleasant small coastal town on <span lang="cy">Cardigan Bay</span> with more to offer than Cadwalader's. Criccieth Castle — a native Welsh castle built by Llywelyn the Great in the 13th century and later modified by Edward I — sits on a dramatic headland above the bay and is managed by Cadw (admission charged). The beach below the castle is good for swimming and walking. The Lloyd George Museum at Llanystumdwy (2 miles east) tells the story of David Lloyd George, who grew up in the village and became British Prime Minister. Criccieth has a railway station on the Cambrian Coast Line.
Cadwalader's has expanded beyond the original Criccieth parlour over the years and has outlets in other North Wales towns and tourist destinations. The Criccieth location remains the original and the one most closely tied to the brand's history. Check cadwaladers.co.uk for a current list of locations — these change over time as outlets open and close.