UK Picnic Spots

The first in the series
of great picnic spots of the world!

So make your own amusement (check out fun and games on this site for a start), take a picnic and have a wonderful day out.

Brownsea Island, Dorset - take a boat to Brownsea Island, which used to be a smugglers’ haunt but is now a nature reserve. This island is car-free so you can picnic anywhere!

Bournemouth Beach, Devon - a golden beach, stretching for more than 7 miles. The gentle incline into the sea makes it safe for swimming and an ideal UK picnic spot. It's regularly awarded Blue Flag status.

Northernhay Gardens, Exeter, Devon - one of the oldest public parks in England. It has stretches of Roman and Saxon town wall and, with views over Exeter, is a popular place to relax.

Royal Victoria Park, Bath, Somerset - a lovely municipal park overlooked by the Royal Crescent. A combination of differing landscapes including a boating pond and imaginative children's playground. Music lovers can often enjoy open-air concerts.

Cowes, Isle of Wight - take a blanket and picnic on the shingle beach, to enjoy the views of yachts, motor boats and ferries sailing across the Solent.

The Rhinefield Ornamental Drive, Brockenhurst, Hampshire - a lovely UK picnic spot in the New Forest. Picnic tables provided. Park the car, stroll into the drive and follow the trails.

Staunton Country Park, Havant, Hants. - picnic in woodland or formal gardens, or beside the lake in this UK picnic spot. Find your way out of the maze, stroll around the walled garden, visit the tropical greenhouses and sensory garden or say hi to the animals in the ornamental farm.

Queen Elizabeth Country Park, Waterlooville, Hants. - Hampshire's largest Country Park with 600 hectares of dramatic landscape located within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. There are over 20 miles of trails for walking, cycling and horseriding and special areas for kite flying, model gliders, hang-gliders and paragliders. Get cooking and book a BBQ hearth from the Centre (02392 595040).

St. Giles Hill, Winchester, Hants. - a great location to take in the views of the ancient city as you picnic. You can also build up an appetite beforehand, if you're over 18, by borrowing a bike at the Tourist Information Centre (01962 840500).

The South Downs Way - a 100 mile route from Winchester to Eastbourne. Take a picnic and enjoy part of it. Spectacular views.

Petworth Park, West Sussex - 30 acre wooded garden by Capability Brown. Enjoy a picnic in the grounds, admiring the views or take one along to one of the outdoor concerts.

Bracklesham Bay, West Sussex - picnic on the rocky beach and watch the hordes of windsurfers, who gather here in the summer. An ideal UK picnic spot if you like watching fit young people!

Hadlow Down, East Sussex - 60 acres of working woodland with trails and adventure play area. You might catch one of the summer events, such as a bug hunt!

Box Hill, near Dorking, Surrey - the ultimate picnic spot for Jane Austen fans as this is where the picnic took place in the film Emma, starring Gwyneth Paltrow. It's a lofty summit on the North Downs, with sweeping views and unusual flowers and plants. It's home to 40 species of British butterflies (and there are only 58!)

Runnymede Pleasure Grounds, Egham, Surrey - combine a picnic with a walk along the riverbank or take a boat ride to Windsor or Staines.

Richmond Park, Surrey – great views of London – watch out for the deer in this UK picnic spot!

Regents Park, London - visit the Diana exhibition in Kensington Palace and walk around the gardens. Sit in a deckchair by the lake and watch the swans.

Bushy Park, Hampton Court Rd. - the second largest of Britain's Royal Parks. Picnic in the Woodland Gardens and look out for kingfishers.

Blenheim Palace, Woodstock, Oxfordshire - not just a pretty UK picnic spot - Winston Churchill was born here! Enjoy a great day out visiting the historic home, pleasure gardens and park. Picnic by the lake, under an old oaktree or by the cascading water.

The Look Out Discovery Centre, Bracknell, Berkshire - 2,600 acres of woodland with cycle trails and lovely picnic areas. Lots of activities for children. Entrance fee is reasonable.

Stowe Landscape Garden, Bucks. - a lovely picnic venue - eat in a valley full of wild flowers or by the Temple of Venus, overlooking the lake.

Wendover Woods, between Wendover and Tring, Bucks. - 325 hectares of woodland offers spectacular views across the Vale of Aylesbury. For an energetic day, why not try the permanent orienteering course or the gruelling 1.5km Forest Fitness Trail? If this sounds too much like hard work, take a stroll along the 1km All Ability Hilltop Trail and stand at the highest point of the Chilterns. Barbecue stands are provided for your picnic.

Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire - huge expanse of natural beauty, offering lots of UK picnic spots.

Clumber park, Nottinghamshire - shady woods, an open heath and rolling farmland

Kedleston Hall, Derbyshire - Various walks to choose from before having your picnic in a classic British setting.

Crook O’Lune, Lancashire - a popular beauty spot

Lyme Park, Cheshire - a breathtaking setting for a picnic. 1,400 acres in which to unfurl your rug!

Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal Water Garden, North Yorkshire - world heritage site with ornamental lakes

Wallington, Northumberland picnic on a selection of lawns including a central lawn where children can let off steam! Or find a more secluded spot near the pond. You’ll find a collection of dolls’houses in the house.

River Derwent at Gibside, Tyneside - access to lovely woodland walks and families can picnic in the ‘forest garden’. The estate is a site of special interest so look out for lots of wildlife.

Linlithgow Palace, West Lothian - birthplace of Mary, Queen of Scots. Stunning palace grounds and loch

Loch Insh, Inverness-shire - lots of picnic areas here as well as lovely trails and half a mile of beach

Crom Estate, Co. Fermanagh - acres of woodlands, wetlands and parklands with many paths and trails. A beautiful Irish picnic venue.

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