Ice Cream Vans in Britain

The ice cream van is a British icon. Vividly decorated, the ice cream van delivers 99’s – a Cadbury’s Flake stuck in a soft cream and cone, ice lollies and ice cream tubs – to suburban British homes throughout the summer.

The vans are brightly coloured

Jingles

Ice cream vans play a distinctive tune or jingle to announce their welcome arrival to children across the UK, The jingle is often on an Italian theme. According to the law, this jingle should last no more than 12 seconds at a time. In addition, the volume should be less than 80 decibels.

Ice cream vans can also be found parked at beaches and outside other attractions during the summer months, though their activities are regulated in the major cities, such as London. Running an ice cream van is a precarious business dependent on the vagaries of the British climate.

Paolo & Son

Tales of ice cream vans serving drugs and stolen property as well as soft creams in Glasgow in the 1980s is a darker side to the story of Britain’s popular mobile, ice cream vendors.

Whitby Morrison, a company based in Crewe, is the largest ice cream van manufacturer in the UK. The company produces around 100 vans a year.