The amazing ice cream shop nestled in a countryside village that's worth the drive this Easter

The beautiful Lancashire village is home to an award-winning ice cream shop

On the outskirts of Darwen, sits the beautiful countryside village of Edgworth. The picturesque spot is popular with walkers and day-trippers, many of whom visit the reservoirs nearby as well as local landmarks.

The Wayoh Reservoir, and the Turton and Entwistle Reservoir, are located north-east of the village, while the Jumbles Reservoir is near Turton Bottoms. The former mill village is also in close proximity to the contrasting landscapes of Holcombe Moor and the wooded Bradshaw Valley, making it a beautiful area to explore especially in the springtime.

In this village itself, a set of crossroads leads you to Haslingden, as well as Darwen, Bolton and Blackburn, and just over the road there's a much-loved spot hailed as having some of the best ice cream in the country.

Holdens & Co are proud, family run artisan ice cream makers, who have been making award-winning dairy ice cream from the same site in the Lancashire village since 1929.

It was set up by Mary and John Holden, who had three children; Marion, Jack and Jim. While Marion went on to become a school teacher and Jim took over the running of the family farm, Jack took charge of the ice cream shop where the famed ice cream is made.

The original recipe for the ice cream has remained top secret and only a few know it. Now run by the Cort family, Holdens & Co. cherishes its heritage whilst creating new flavours and expanding into other areas in the Lancashire countryside.

In 2022 they opened another ice cream shop in Whalley, set in the heart of the Ribble Valley. And in 2023, they opened the doors of their deli and cafe in Abbey Village in Chorley.

The Whalley site has since been expanded too and now features a deli and cafe, where they show off the best food and drink from the rich Lancashire larder.

At their Edgworth site they boast an ice cream shop, deli, and cafe at the back of the store.

Because their ice cream is handmade using artisan, small batch methods not all their flavours are available all of the time but the range, which has increased over the years includes classic flavours, their 'big tasty' options, kids favourites, luxury options and sorbets.

Their milk for the ice creams comes from Holstein Friesian cows who graze in the fields they have always worked with, less than a mile from the shop.

What's interesting about their ice cream as well, and worth keeping in mind in the warmer summer months, is that the ice cream doesn't melt as soon as you've prized it from the holder on the shop counter because it has unique characteristics such as large ice crystals within.

Amongst the flavours on offer at the Edgworth site are classics like raspberry ripple and mint choc chip as well as vanilla, chocolate and strawberry, as well as flavours taking inspiration from birthday cake and bubblegum. They also serve up seasonal specials in a range of different cones.

Walk through the shop and as well as kitchen cupboard staples and pantry items you'll also find a counter stocked full of sweet and savoury treats including cannoli, Manchester Tart, meat pies and sausage rolls. While at the back is the cafe where you can sit in for breakfast and lunch.