Ruby Violet is a household name in our family. A weekend, even a rainy one, doesn’t pass without a visit to this charming ice cream parlour, and birthday parties in our house are not complete without one of their delicious ice cream cakes. I’m pretty sure my kids put more thought into choosing the flavours of their cake than the presents they hope to receive!

Made from organic milk, free range eggs and local, seasonal ingredients, the ice creams and sorbets are handmade daily in their little kitchen at the back of the shop. Their mint choc chip actually tastes like real mint leaves, the honey ice cream is made with locally sourced honey which often comes from Hampstead Heath, and the blackberries and damsons come from the owner’s home village in Nottinghamshire. (The damson and sour cream flavour is one of my favourites!)

It wouldn’t be right to describe Ruby Violet without mentioning the lovely owner, Julie, and her super friendly ice cream-serving team. Always dressed in a cream-splattered apron and wearing a welcoming smile, Julie greets her customers by name, asks about your day and then serves you one of her famous flavours. The only trouble you’ll face is choosing which one…

Images courtesy of Courtney Adamo and Ruby Violet