I hope everyone will join in with the “Pick of the Picnics” – all kinds of places and picnics we love.
What are you looking for in a picnic location?
An easy walk from a car park to take in a waterfall ?
An arduous climb to a hard won view at the top of a hill.
A secluded riverbank after fighting against the wind in a canoe.
All are loved.
Ideally we to lay our picnic blanket over looking a spectacular view or within a secret, magical beauty spot. Whatever appears from your rucksack or shopping bag, a thermos, a sandwich and a chocolate bar through the picnic spectrum to elaborate spreads with metaphorical chandeliers, it’s about making it easy, yummy and fun.
These friends have been playing in the Forest of Wyre, (West of Birmingham), which their Mum Harriet recommends, “Lovely walks, you can hire off road bikes, has a Go Ape, A playground and a Gruffalo adventure trail for the littlies.”
Picnic Spots
- En-route- spontaneously
- The focal point of a days walking,
- The work-it-off of a long bicycle ride
- A charted point on the riverbank where you can anchor the dinhgy or haul up kayak,
- or length of river where it meanders and you can drift chatting.
Picture: Fruit, baps for ‘sandwiches’, (marmite and cream cheese, peanut butter and jam, cheese, tuna and sweetcorn) sausages, flapjacks. What are your favourites?
See: Don’t Be a Picnic panic-er . Suggestions of what to make.
Wet weather cover – literally
If the weather is looking iffy, take a tarp with pegs, something to make it into a shelter. Something waterproof and wind proof – and easily packed away.
Do you remember “The Greatest Showman”? Well, sometimes it seems we want to “rewrite the stars” when we ask the family to go for a walk. You may want to hang a walk on a picnic.
Here are few ideas. I hope that you will add your favourites.
I think one of the most extraordinary is WILD TABLE OF LOVE, in the City of London, in Paternoster Square. There until 15th May 2023. A sculpture with all kinds of animals, and two places for guests.
FROM NORTH TO SOUTH.
We’ll start in the north and work our way south. For Wales and Scotland follow the link.
Pennines. Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. (AONB)
Bowlees Picnic Area, Upper Teesdale (Durham)
Short riverside walk to High Force Waterfall, England’s highest waterfall, at 21 metres. Summerhill Force and Gibson’s Cave, named after the outlaw who hid behind the falls.
https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/enp075
Marsden Bay, South Tyneside
A beach picnic and Caves beneath the limestone cliffs and seabird colonies.
https://www.visitsouthtyneside.co.uk/article/11265/Marsden-Bay
Lake District, AONB
The whole of the Lake District is a myriad of choices for walks, bicycling and kayaking. All with heavenly picnic spots.
I love Wray Castle near Ambleside.
While researching I read the numerous websites boasting “Best Picnic” in the Lake District. “Tarn Hows” is recommended. (These are website which are not so ‘punt a cottage’ centric.) I discussed this with friends who know the Lake District and they agreed. Of course comparing websites produces nuggets from each one.
https://www.lancs.live/whats-on/food-drink-news/perfect-lake-district-picnic-spots-
https://www.thelakedistrict.org/blog/the-best-picnic-spots-in-the-lake-district/
https://www.newsandstar.co.uk/features/16761524.cumbrias-20-finest-picnic-spots/
Tatton Park, Knutsford Cheshire – National Trust
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/tatton-park
A good all round for the cross generation outing, with a deer park, 50 acres of garden and a rare breeds farm, plus a playground.
Ladybower Wood, Peak District (near Sheffied)
A easy walk to the picnic area overlooking Ladybower reservoir. The heather moorland and woodlands (oaks, rowan) are particularly beautiful in Autumn.
Above is the Woodland Trust link to Ladybower, below is Derbyshire Wildlife Trust.
https://www.derbyshirewildlifetrust.org.uk/nature-reserves/ladybower-wood
The Tramways Trail, Calke Abbey, Derby (National Trust)
Three links below – compare and contrast.
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/calke-tramway-trail
https://www.alltrails.com/en-gb/trail/england/derbyshire/the-tramway-trail
https://www.visitsouthderbyshire.co.uk/route/ticknall/calke-abbey-limeyards-trail/
7 miles from Wakefield, 20 from Leeds
500 acres of historic parkland, with family friendly sculptures and attractions, and picnic areas.
Shropshire
Comer Woods, Dudmaston, Shropshire (National Trust)
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/dudmaston/trails/explorer-trail-comer-woods
Warwickshire
Kingsbury Waterpark, Warwickshire
Woodland Trust and Country Parks links to choose from …..
https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/visiting-woods/woods/kingsbury-water-park/?
https://countryparks.warwickshire.gov.uk/kingsburywaterpark
Burton Dassett, (Coventry Rocks) Warwickshire.
https://countryparks.warwickshire.gov.uk/burtondassett
https://www.coventryrocks.co.uk/listings/burton-dassett-hills-country-park/
Ragley Hall, Warwickshire, Alcester,
This is a bit of a gem for family picnics as well as the ‘usual’, Kids zone and adventure playground which includes a maze, trampoline and climbing frames there is the time out area near the lake where you can picnic, quietly…..
Forestry Picnics in the Midlands
Gloucestershir
Picnics at Mallards Pike, Forest of Dean,
https://www.forestryengland.uk/mallards-pike/picnics-mallards-pike
https://www.forestryengland.uk/mallards-pike
https://www.exploregloucestershire.co.uk/Cannop-Cycle-Centre-Forest-of-Dean/
Whilst in this part of the country it is worth mentioning the world famous, Hay on Wye Festival, books and much more at the end of May to June.
https://www.hayfestival.com/home
Oxfordshire
Between Swindon (12 miles) and Oxford (17 miles).
Faringdon Folly Tower
The tower is an easy ten minute walk from the town car park. The Folly is privately owned but the public are given access. The 100 foot tower built was built by Lord Berners in 1935. He described it as ‘entirely useless’, the last folly to be built in England. The tower is surrounded by woodland with amazing views over Oxfordshire. Around the tower, there are various sculptures for children to find such as a fairy house, a hare, a heart, a troll in a dead.
http://www.Faringdonfolly.org.uk
Berkshire
Wellington Country Park, Risely, Nr Reading, Berkshire
Wellington Country Park is set in 350 acres of beautiful Hampshire countryside.
Jonathan and Katherine with their two daughters come here for their special picnic spot. It’s very child orientated with eh adventure playground, giant snakes and ladders, and the trail. Wellington is close to their home but sometimes Jonathan wants to try camping so if it rains or all kicks off they can drive home.
Thames Path National Trail
All the way from the Cotswolds, to Oxford, Windsor, Hampton Court to London Town, Westminster, St Pauls and onto Greenwich, a riverside walks from deep country to inner city so choose the part of the trail whcih appeals from Gloucstershire through Oxfordshire to Berkshire into London.
https://www.nationaltrail.co.uk/en_GB/trails/thames-path/
https://www.discoveringbritain.org/activities/south-east-england/walks/oxford-waterways.html
and our by now familiar
https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/enjoy-the-waterways/canal-and-river-network/oxford-canal?
And another location for the quirky and highly entertaining, Giffords Circus. (see Chiswick House, London.) See post on Circus’s. (Circi?)
London
The Royal Parks are covered in “Walking”.
Horniman Gardens, Forest Hill, South East London SE23 3PQ
This is a quirky one from friends who lived in Peckham. It is comparatively small park and the Horniman Museum is a popular with local families especially the Sunday morning market and summer events
Central London
Somerset House.
Two National Trust favourites in Surrey.
Headley Heath, Leatherhead,
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/surrey/headley-heath
Stepping Stones over River Mole, Boxhill, Dorking Surrey
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/surrey/box-hill/box-hill-stepping-stones-walk
Perhaps not as impressive as the stones at Bolton Abbey but charming, and a focus to the walk before the picnic.
Hampshire
New Forest, National Park. AONB
Bolderwood Deer Sanctuary, (Lyndhurst, )
https://www.thenewforest.co.uk/things-to-do/bolderwood-deer-sanctuary-
In addition to woodland walks and picnic area (with ice cream van) you can add to the Enchanting afternoon viewing deer on woodland trials, and driving along Arboretum Ornamental Drive.
https://www.new-forest-national-park.com/rhinefield-ornamental-drive/
Not far is there is the Rhinefield Ornamental Drive with various circular walks along streams and through the giant redwood trees. In late May and June there are colourful rhododendrons and azaleas.
https://www.hants.gov.uk/thingstodo/countryparks
Hurst Spit, Keyhaven
A two mile walk over the pebbles leads to an almost touch view of the Isle of Wight.
http://www.gps-routes.co.uk/routes/home.nsf/RoutesLinksWalks/hurst-castle-spit-walking-route
This a buy from Marks and Spencer, a cheat of a ‘picnic’ on our boat, in Osborne Bay, off the Isle of Wight.
Wiltshire
Old Sarum, Salisbury.
This appeals to children who are studying the medieval Kings. There are magnificent view over the city of Salisbury and the surrounding countryside. You don’t have to go into he castle, you can keep walking around visiting the site of the first Cathedral, before it was moved into a swamp which became a city. If like me you organised a Birthday walk it, it was useful because even if you are late, everyone comes around again in twenty minutes. There are gentle ways around the castle or more strenuous, depending on your mode, and mood.
https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/old-sarum/history/
and if you want more historical walks, five miles north is Figsbury Rings.
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/wiltshire/figsbury-ring
Of course near here is Stone Henge, however, if you there is also Avebury Stone Circle near Marlbourgh not from The Henge.
https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/avebury/
Picnic at Mottisford
Mottisfont and Broughton takes us past my Grandmother’s old house in East Dean and to Mottisfont a National Trust house and garden, with excellent tea room, before you ride (walk) along the and picturesque River Test. Mottisfont has great play areas for children. Mottisfont and Dunbridge railway station is a mile away, so, you jump on the train back to Salisbury, Winchester, Southampton.
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/hampshire/mottisfont
https://www.southwesternrailway.com/train-times/salisbury-to-mottisfont-and-dunbridge
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/hampshire/mottisfont/the-estate-at-mottisfont
Here are other ideas from Visit Wiltshire which take in north of the county.
Sussex
Picnic on a beach.
West Wittering Beach, Chichester Harbour, West Sussex
I have sailed here often and know the walks around the area well. For me it is really one of the treats of Chichester Harbour, which is one of the treats of the south coast.
https://www.conservancy.co.uk/page/Walking
https://landscapesforlife.org.uk/about-aonbs/aonbs/chichester-harbour
South Downs, East Sussex
Seven Country Sisters Park
Picnic at High and Over with views of the valley or by the river or on the pebble beach
Cuckmere Haven, near Seaford, Sussex.
With the towering cliffs of the Seven Sisters as a backdrop, walk along the Cuckere Valley to the pebble beach, the mouth of the Cuckmere River, a haunt of anglers.
Another walk, a little along the coast but still with views of the Seven Sisters is Birling Gap
Dorset
Knoll Beach, Studland Bay, Dorset. This is the place I go when ever I can. I love it.
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/studland-bay
and you can make a day of it and head down the way to
Corfe Castle and Swanage Railway.
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/corfe-castle
https://www.swanagerailway.co.uk
Devon
Hope Cove, South Devon
One of the most beautiful beaches in Devon in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
https://www.visitsouthdevon.co.uk/things-to-do/hope-cove-beach-
Lydford Falls, Okehampton,
A deep ravine, the deepest gorge in the south west with a series of pot holes, the largest being the Devil Cauldron to a waterfall.
https://www.countryfile.com/go-outdoors/days-out/walk-lydford-gorge-devon/
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/devon/lydford-gorge
Picnics in rucksacks not hampers for this one.
Bluebell wood, near Hexworthy, Dartmoor.
Cornwall
Marazion Beach near Penzance.
www. visitcornwall. com
https://www.visitcornwall.com/beaches/lifeguards-seasonal/west-cornwall/marazion/marazion-beach
We loved Marazion, and the romance of St Michaels Mount.
Time your picnic so you can walk across the stone causeway to St Michael’s Mount at low time. Then enjoy Marazion beach. You could treat yourself to to ‘restaurant’ picnic at the Godolphin (we had a great breakfast).
Chris, Caroline and their three boys,
Chris is a gardener and Caroline a teacher.
We have a holiday caravan in Cornwall and often go to Loe Pool, the largest freshwater lake in the UK, Porthleven. It is know by locals as a gem. With Tintagel Castle not far, this is Arthurian legend country, the story goes this was the lake where Excalibur was thrown into the depths.
The National Trust take cares of the pool
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/cornwall/penrose
The above link from a scientific and environment point of view, something different to the usual site.
Norfolk
Holkham Beach
https://www.holkham.co.uk/visit/things-to-do/plan-your-visit/holkham-beach/
Lucinda and Tim walked with their three girls along long beach. Lucinda remembers baking brownies with the girls before they left their holiday cottage. Once they had walked for an hour, which of course took two with all the playing in the sea, they had a brownie picnic.
An hour in the other direction is Wroxham, where you can sail dinghies.
Tim who is very tall remembers curling himself into an optimist dinghy to teach the girls to sail. He had a ‘picnic’ of a beer to recover once he uncurled himself.
National Trust best spots also include:
Kynance Cove, Cornwall
Stourhead, Wiltshire
Box Hill, Surrey
Tennyson Downs, Isle of Wight
Dunwich Heath, Suffolk
Croome, Worcestershire
The Kymin, Monmouth
Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal, North Yorkshire
Fell Foot, Cumbria
What are you favourites?
Article
Guardian, Best Picnics
https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2018/jun/21/10-best-uk-picnic-spots-readers-tips
USEFUL WEBSITES (Alphabetical order)
https://landscapesforlife.org.uk/about-aonbs/aonbs/overview
https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/news-and-views/features/perfect-places-for-picnics?
https://www.countryfile.com/go-outdoors/days-out/britains-best-picnic-spots/
https://www.english-heritage.org.uk
https://heartofenglandforest.org/walks-in-the-forest
https://www.komoot.com/highlight/1580922
https://landscapesforlife.org.uk/about-aonbs/aonbs/overview
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/days-out?
https://www.sustrans.org.uk/find-a-route-on-the-national-cycle-network
https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/visiting-woods
And further reading on this site Walking Stepping up from strolls. More ideas … ITV Top 100
I am keen to grow this site if you have any ideas or contributions to Favourite Places to Picnics in England please go to the Contact