Backford Belles – Such a Special Taste #Producer Review

Gaile Wundke
13th August 2018

As part of our new series about the fabulous producers of Cheshire we sent our Chef Ambassador, Gaile Wundke, to go and find out just how they produce such marvellous Ice cream at Backford Belles – this is her report.

Long before Backford Belles Ice Cream was even the merest twinkle in a Littler’s eye, William Henry Littler returned from RAF service in the second world war and became a farm bailiff, nowadays known as a farm manager, where he supervised 10 milk maids milking 130 cows by hand!  In 1957, William moved to Backford to start his own dairy herd with just 7 cows, later expanding the farm with sons Bill and David.  In 1971 Bill and his wife Mary moved to Acres Farm, the home of Backford Belles where they continued their milking business, alongside brother David, expanding the herd 10 years ago to include 40 Jersey cows whose rich and creamy milk is used in the making of their ice cream.  In 2009, Backford Belles Ice Cream was set up in the sandstone buildings at Acres Farm where their delicious ice-cream has been made ever since.

Regular visitors to the Taste Cheshire website will know how passionate we are about our local producers and so we were delighted to be invited to Backford Belles to sample some of their fabulous ice cream.

Located just off the A41, the farm is very accessible and has ample free parking. It really is a great place for families to visit, particularly those with younger children as there is a large outside play area, chickens, ducks and calves for them to see, a mini maize trail (October to November), toy tractors to ride on and even a cosy indoor toddler play area for when the weather isn’t being too kind!

We visited on what turned out to be the wettest morning in many weeks, but as we entered the ice cream parlour our spirits were very much lifted by the huge selection of ice creams that awaited us. Over 20 different flavours are made in the tiny kitchen that adjoins the café where the milk from the Jersey herd is pasteurised and turned into flavours such as Wild Cherry, Salted Caramel, Oreo, Sticky Toffee Fudge and of course, good old Vanilla (which by the way is outstanding!). There was even a Unicorn flavour decorated with Unicorn sweets! Backford Belles also produce a range of delicious sorbets for those who might prefer a less creamy treat and something that I thought was a really nice touch and which ensures that no-one is left out, was the choice of two non-dairy ‘ice creams’, meaning the whole family can enjoy the experience together.

We were given several different samples to try and I have to say that each and every one was absolutely scrumptious; the use of fresh fruits in the wild cherry ice cream and raspberry sorbet really took them to a different level.  Jersey milk has a higher fat and protein content than regular milk and at Backford Belles, 40 litres of this rich, delicious milk is used to make every 60 litres of ice cream.  It is the milk that makes it such a premium product and many of our local businesses would agree as there are currently over 20 restaurants in Chester, Cheshire and Wirral with Backford Belles ice cream on their menus!

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Backford Belles really is worth a visit, there is disabled parking, dogs on leads are allowed in the outside areas, they are breastfeeding friendly and have baby changing facilities. 16 years ago when I was a new Mum, I would have loved somewhere like this to go to, especially with a group of other Mums. You can bring your own picnic with you, Backford actively encourage that – how refreshing. I remember it being so difficult to find anywhere that would allow babies in prams and toddlers in buggies, but Backford Belles welcomes all with open arms and their policy is to treat each visitor as if they were family.  That’s the feeling you get as you walk into the café, from the time you are there you become part of the family and one that I’m sure you’ll want to visit again and again. We bought a tub of salted caramel, vanilla and Oreo and we couldn’t wait to get home to taste some more. It really is that good.