Beth Dowd heads to the coast and a treat trip to the famous Spurreli ice cream parlour in Amble
Legendary is an over-used word, but when applied to Spurreli ice cream parlour in Amble, it is entirely fitting. A Northumberland institution with awards so numerous they are impossible to list here, you may have to queue to get in at busy times, but it is always worth it.
Amble is a popular little seaside town, and Spurreli’s ice cream counter is a destination in its own right, packed with homemade flavours so good, holidaymakers often visit every day of their stay.
There’s something for every taste – Sweetiepie for the young at heart, double strawberry for the traditionalist, mango sorbet for the grown-ups. They’re all sublime – hence all the awards – and equally magical in cone or tub, with toppings or unadorned.
The parlour is on the site of a once busy boatyard. Then Nick Spurr set up Spurelli in 2010
and made it the best ice cream place for miles around. We’re glad he did, if only because if he hadn’t we’d have never tasted an exquisite sharing sundae, served with two spoons so you can fight your opponent to the bottom.
This Cookie Rock Bottom Sundae, with sticky toffee and vanilla ice cream, mini cookies and marshmallows, will stay long in the memory, as will the hot chocolate we had with it, the cheese scone which preceded it, and the rum and raisin ice cream which followed it.
The parlour, with its relaxed lounge vibe, indulgent cakes and excellent coffee, is also home to a sublime dairy-free chocolate gelato and a selection of gluten-free treats, so everyone can enjoy a visit.
Which sets me thinking… whatever will we have to try next?
Spurreli, The Old Chandlery, Coquet Street, Amble, tel 01665 710 890, www.spurreli.com
