Ice Cream Farm is Cheshire’s coolest attraction

A FARM attraction which undergone a £4.5m refurbishment has seen its visitor numbers double since reopening in the summer.

The family-owned Ice Cream Farm at Tattenhall, Cheshire  has developed into one of the most visited attractions in the county, even drawing in crowds from the surrounding Lancashire, Yorkshire, Birmingham, Shropshire and Wales areas.

Set around a 11,000 sq ft ice cream parlour, The Ice Cream Farm is considered to be the largest purpose-built ice cream parlour in the world and also includes outdoor and indoor play areas, a miniature golf course and an animal area where visitors can meet agricultural animals.

It also includes an indoor sand and water play area which is one of the largest in Europe.

Funding for the refurbishment has been provided by NatWest.

As part of the new development, a new indoor play area has been created as well as a new ice cream parlour and gift shop. The works have also seen improvements to the outdoor play area with an enhanced water play area.

The improved Ice Cream Farm – which is free entry – opened its doors over the summer and customer numbers have doubled since the unveiling.

Director Jonathan Fell said: “Over the past five years, more than £1m has been spent on a complete remodelling and reinvention of the Ice Cream Farm importantly without compromising the core values and commercial philosophy on which the success of business has been built.

“More than doubling of visitor numbers in that time has justified the high level of investment and proves the effectiveness of improving the site and developing new attractions.
 

NatWest relationship manager Iain Pemberton provided a £2.25 million loan to facilitate the redevelopment. He was supported by director Julian Brooks.

Fell said: “Iain and Natwest have been amazingly helpful through the whole process. Although it has been frustrating at times due to the fact there was so much work to do to complete the loan agreement, I have no doubt Iain and Julian have worked very hard to make the whole process run as efficient as possible.

Pemberton added: “I have worked closely with Jonathan for over 15 years and seen the farm grow through his vision throughout this period so supporting his judgement  with this latest phase was easy and we were delighted to support The Ice Cream Farm on this development project.”