'Ice-cream splat insurance' to cover dropped cones

6 hours ago

Phil Harrison,in Tunbridge Wellsand

Hsin-Yi Lo,South East

English Heritage is allowing visitors to reclaim their dropped ice cream at certain sites

Getty Images A stock image of a child who has dropped an ice cream into grass. The ice cream and their feet are visible, with the ice cream melting down the cone. — English Heritage is allowing visitors to reclaim their dropped ice cream at certain sites

A dropped ice cream on a summer's day is nothing short of a "heinous crime" or the "worst possible thing", according to some Kent residents.

But during August certain landmarks are offering a free replacement for those whose ice creams have hit the ground, to prevent any "meltdowns".

English Heritage's "ice-cream splat insurance" covers visitors at 18 attractions, including Dover Castle and Battle Abbey in East Sussex.

Mother-of-two Ruth Brill told BBC Radio Kent that the offer was "absolutely amazing".

"It is the worst possible thing that could happen to kids if they dropped their ice cream," she said.

Brill said she would queue again and get another one if her children had an ice cream mishap.

However, she believed some people might take advantage of the offer.

"I think we should be honest and use the scheme fairly," she says.

Sharon Colback said she had never dropped her ice cream before

Phil Harrison/BBC A woman wearing a hat and a blue t-shirt is standing on a shopping street. She is looking at the camera and smiling. — Sharon Colback said she had never dropped her ice cream before

Sharon Colback, from Tunbridge Wells, said it was a "heinous crime" to drop one's ice cream.

She added she had never dropped her ice cream and then queued to get a replacement.

"But," she joked: "If I did, I'd lick it to the last bite and then drop it to get another one."

Anthony Kent from Five Oak Green welcomed the initiative.

"My daughter has dropped her ice cream before and it wasn't pretty," he said.

"This is a brilliant idea and could be a lifesaver for those with kids."

Anthony Kent said the scheme would save some heartbreak for children if they had dropped their ice cream

Phil Harrison/BBC A man wearing sunglasses and a white shirt. He is standing on a high street with shops and trees in the background. — Anthony Kent said the scheme would save some heartbreak for children if they had dropped their ice cream

The initiative follows an English Heritage poll which it said found that 68% of people would be "too polite" to ask for a replacement ice cream after dropping one.

Daisy Rowe, head of commercial development at English Heritage, said: "No matter if you're nine or 99, ice cream is always a highlight of a summer day out.

"However, I'm sure we've all had that experience when the long-awaited treat arrives and ends up splat on the floor."

Rowe said the organisation was "pleased" to introduce this scheme to help ensure family days out were not ruined.

The offer runs until 31 August.

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