VISITORS enjoying a summer day out at two of Cornwall’s best-known castles can now enjoy their ice creams with a little less worry – thanks to a new “Ice Cream Splat Insurance” scheme.

English Heritage has launched the initiative at 18 of its historic attractions, including Tintagel Castle and Pendennis Castle, offering free replacements when scooped ice creams hit the deck.

The scheme, running from August 13 to 31, aims to prevent the dreaded holiday meltdown when a carefully chosen cone ends up splattered across the ground.

It comes after research found that 68 per cent of Brits would be too polite to ask for a replacement if they dropped their ice cream, despite 70 per cent saying the frozen treat is one of the highlights of a child or grandchild’s day out.

For visitors exploring Cornwall’s rugged coastline and historic landmarks, the policy could prove particularly welcome.

At Tintagel, families can combine their ice cream with a walk across the famous footbridge, while visitors to Pendennis can enjoy views across Falmouth and the Carrick Roads.

English Heritage’s Head of Commercial Development, Daisy Rowe, said: “No matter if you’re 9 or 99, ice cream is always a highlight of a summer day out. We know how important days out are to our families for making special memories and don’t want anything to ruin that. This is why we’re so pleased to introduce ice-cream Splat insurance at our sites this summer.”

Flavours available include Bramley Apple Crumble, Clotted Cream and Honeycomb, with Northern Bloc ice cream being served at the participating sites.

If disaster strikes, visitors simply need to return to the point of purchase with their dropped cup or cone and ask for a replacement.

The scheme forms part of English Heritage’s Great British Summer events, featuring seaside-inspired entertainment, fairground games, puppet shows and sandcastle building at selected sites.