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I visited gorgeous UK seaside town with incredible ice cream and so much to do

This coastal gem boasts Viking history, a famous ice cream parlour, and independent shops and it's a place I've been visiting since childhood that's magical even when the weather isn't the best

[Nicola on Largs seafront]

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It's the perfect seaside town, in my opinion(Image: Nicola Roy)

Summer is in full swing across the UK, bringing with it some glorious weather over recent weeks. With hopefully more sunshine to come, now's an ideal time to organise a seaside trip or two.

Britain boasts countless spectacular locations, and although the heatwaves have been great, we all know how unpredictable the weather can be here.

But there's one particular spot I've been returning to since I was young that gets lively during summer without becoming overcrowded, and even when it's pouring down, it's still amazing.

Largs, a lovely seaside town on Scotland's west coast, sits approximately an hour's drive from Glasgow. Famous for its Viking museum, traditional amusement arcades, and ferry services to the Isle of Cumbrae, it's somewhere many Scots will likely have explored during the warm summer months.

[Donut van in Largs]

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(Image: Nicola Roy)

This picturesque town positioned on the Firth of Clyde offers everything you could want from a coastal getaway, with a range of hotels and places to stay.

We stayed at the Old Rectory, a beautiful holiday home sleeping up to 14 people, featuring a hot tub and plenty of room for unwinding. One of the best things about Largs is how near you are to the waterfront regardless of where you are.

The charming Victorian seafront is packed with things to see and do, offering an impressive selection of eateries serving everything from classic fish and chips to delicious Thai cuisine.

Largs has immense historical importance as the location of a landmark battle in 1263, which signalled the end of Norse dominance in Scotland.

The Vikingar museum offers a fascinating glimpse into this heritage, though for a truly hands-on experience, the annual Largs Viking Festival in August is highly recommended. As luck would have it, the festival was in full swing during our trip, featuring dramatic battle re-enactments, live performances and some spectacular outfits.

Beyond its Viking roots, Largs is equally famous for its art deco ice cream parlour, which has been pulling in the crowds for generations.

[Nardini's]

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You can't go to Largs without visiting Nardini's for an ice cream(Image: Nicola Roy)

Nardini's, fondly known as Scotland's most beloved caf, has built its amazing reputation on its welcoming atmosphere and exceptional ice cream. Much like Vikingar, it enjoys a fantastic waterfront setting, making it the perfect spot to enjoy a scoop or two of your favourite flavour.

Alongside their extensive range of cakes and light bites, it's a great choice for lunch or a quick snack while strolling along the promenade.

Venture into the town centre and you'll uncover charming narrow streets bursting with independent gift shops, cafs and yet more ice cream parlours. On one particular morning, we chose to have brunch at Perk - a lively caf bursting with plants and books, featuring an outstanding menu to match.

The vanilla matcha was an absolute treat, and the feta and avocado waffles were impossible to resist.

[Japanese matcha sign]

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Largs might have a retro vibe, but its eateries are definitely keeping up to date with foodie trends(Image: Nicola Roy)

Still peckish after your meal? There's a cake counter overflowing with pastries and other indulgent sweet treats available to take away.

While Largs may lack the familiar high street chains, it more than compensates with a wonderful selection of independent traders stocking truly unique items.

A large market tent has vendors offering everything from organic dog food to wooden lamps, jewellery, soaps and even tarot readings - you could quite easily spend hours browsing.

[Largs market hall]

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Be sure to pay the Largs market hall a visit(Image: Nicola Roy)

If you want to venture a little further, jump on a quick ferry crossing from the harbour to the Isle of Cumbrae, home to the delightful town of Millport.

The island is small enough to cycle around in just a couple of hours, with a well-earned pint awaiting you at the finish before a speedy 10-minute sail back to the mainland. Nearby, the breathtaking Kelburn Castle stands tall - a spectacular park and estate that hosts its very own summer music festival.

It's perfectly suited to families too, featuring several playgrounds, cascading waterfalls and plenty more to uncover, all within a 10-minute drive from Largs. Truthfully though, Largs alone provides more than enough to keep visitors thoroughly entertained for either a day trip or a full weekend break.

If you're lucky enough to visit on a bright day, it's absolutely ideal. But even in wet weather, there's no need to panic - it makes those seaside walks all the more refreshing and the welcoming ice-cream parlours even more tempting.

[Nicola Roy]

Nicola Roy

Nicola is a multimedia content creator for the Under 35 Spare Time team. She previously worked as a senior journalist for the same team within the Content Hub, a Trends Writer at the Daily Record covering all things Scotland, and a commercial Content Writer at Reach publications throughout the UK, working with clients to deliver paid-for campaigns that shone a light on local businesses, charities and innovation. Now, specialising in the U35 demographic, she creates engaging written and video content across multiple Reach PLC sites and social media platforms such as TikTok, Instagram and Facebook. Nicola's expertise ranges from the latest cooking hacks to viral cleaning techniques, taste tests, UK travel and gardening. If you think you have a story on lifestyle, food, cleaning or life hacks, get in touch by emailing: Nicola.Roy@reachplc.com

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