UK Picnic Spots
The first in the series
These are all great UK picnic spots. Some have admission charges but in my opinion are great value for money. You'll certainly have a cheaper day at one of these beautiful locations than going to an amusement park. |
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 in one of these UK picnic spots:
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.
Lepe Country Park, Exbury, Southampton, Hants. - where the New Forest meets the Solent. With views from Hurst Castle to Portsmouth's Spinnaker Tower, there's always something to catch your eye. Watch the windsurfers, the boats sailing out of Beaulieu River or the ships arriving in Southampton Water. Picnic on the beach and fly kites on the cliff top. Events for all ages. Hire a BBQ hearth and have a party. Enquiries - 023 8089 9108.
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. - my local! Hampshire's largest Country Park with 600 hectares of dramatic landscape located within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Only £1/£1.50 to park all day. There are over 20 miles of trails for walking, cycling and horseriding and special areas for kite flying, model gliders, hang-gliders and paragliders. A small adventure playground. Lots of picnic areas or get cooking and book a BBQ hearth. Enquiries - 023 9259 5040.
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.
Learn more about the Sussex Downs and the glorious countryside of the Sussex weald at Yvonne's website sussex-southdowns-guide.com.
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, ancient oak trees, herds of deer and the relentless descent of planes on their way to Heathrow!
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!
Sewerby Hall and Gardens, East Riding of Yorkshire - has owned the prestigious title of Britain's Best Picnic Site for two years running. Visit their great website here.
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.
Cath Kidston's Top Picnic Spots are:
- Harlyn Bay, near Padstow in Cornwall
- Therfield Heath, near Royston in Hertfordshire
- Wye National Nature Reserve, near Wye in Kent
- Barley, near Pendle Hill in Lancashire
- Felbrigg Hall, near Cromer in Norfolk
- Glastonbury Tor, overlooking Glastonbury in Somerset
- Box Hill, near Dorking in Surrey
- Yorkshire Sculpture Park, Bretton, near Wakefield in West Yorkshire
Please send me your favourite picnic spots - in the UK or elsewhere. I want this page of UK picnic spots to be the first of many!
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What Other Visitors Have Said
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Monsal Head, Derbyshire, England Monsal Head is just off the A6 at Ashford in the Water. There are stunning views of the Valley from the car park (gets very busy at weekends) and there ...
Jubilee Park, Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire, England
I have great memories of going here as a child and am looking forward to taking my toddler.
There is a heated outdoor swimming pool, camping and caravanning ...
Clumber Park, Nottinghamshire, England Clumber Park is a great place for a family picnic. There's loads of open space for children to play, with woodland and lakeside walks. There's also bike ...
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