The UK is relishing the sunshine at the moment and the great weather is set to continue! As we continue to stay safe, one of the things we can do is go for a walk to the park and enjoy the sun, so I went for a picnic at the weekend to do exactly that. It was great to enjoy nature and the surroundings plus I also spent time daydreaming of the scenic places I have stopped to eat and relax around the UK so here are my top picnic spots:
Windsor – The Long Walk
I once lived in Windsor so I had the luxury of visiting this grand and peaceful park anytime I liked. The 3 mile straight walkway links Windsor Castle (one of the Queens residences) to the copper horse statue and has been the location for many royal parades over the years, the latest being Harry & Meghan’s wedding. You have the choice of feeling like royalty and placing your blanket just metres from the entrance of the 11th century castle or you can head further up the long walk for raised views of Windsor, Eton & even London’s Skyline on a clear day.
Edinburgh – Princes Street Gardens
Out of all these beautiful places, Edinburgh well and truly ticks the box for surrounding scenery. Princes Street Gardens lies at the bottom of the huge mount which Edinburgh Castle sits on creating an awesome setting. Also being right in the heart of the city means even if you forget picnic hamper, you can grab some bits from the shops across the road and settle down for a rest under an iconic Scottish landmark.
The Yorkshire coast – Peasholm Park & Flamborough Head
I could pick anywhere on the Yorkshire coast to be honest as it has one of the best coastlines in the country, though I am a bit biased! Though my favourite’s are the north bay in Bridlington looking out to the white cliffs of Flamborough Head and Scarborough’s Japanese style Peasholm Park with it’s oriental style Pagoda, lights and waterfall. Two very different locations but both stunning places for lunch on a warm day.
London – Regents park
Londoners flock to Hyde Park & Kensington Gardens when the sun comes out, and with good reason, the lakes and sculptures are beautiful. However, I like to avoid at least some of the crowds and head to Regents park, it is another one of the royal parks but seems to be slightly more quieter. It might be less busy but Queen Mary’s rose gardens are stunning for a walk, then lying down in between the bandstand and the lake is the perfect spot for peace, quiet and a little picnic, but shhh don’t tell everyone!
Leeds – Kirkstall Abbey
Just a few miles out of Leeds centre is Kirkstall Abbey, one of the best preserved Cistercian monasteries in the UK. It is surrounded by beautiful parkland making it the perfect backdrop for a picnic. The river aire is just to the side and great for an after lunch stroll to burn some calories off!
Southampton – Mayflower Park
Mayflower Park isn’t anything special, there are no sculptures, fountains, lakes or activities. However, the location is everything here, it is Southampton’s only riverside park and is positioned right by the docks making it the perfect place to watch cruise ships & ferries sail by. Of course at the moment there aren’t any cruise ships sailing off, nonetheless the waterside location is a quiet location away from the city where you can just pop yourself right by the water, eat and listen to the waves. If you like coastal locations, another one of my favourites in this area is weston shore a few miles east for an even more relaxed atmosphere.
Maybe one of these glorious locations are close to you, but always remember wherever you are going to social distance, wear sunscreen and have a great picnic!
Where are your favourite Picnic Spots!? Let me know!
Last time we were in Windsor to meet up with friends, we stayed as usual at the Windsor Trooper, handy for strolling to all our favourite spots. Early morning on the Long Walk my husband managed to get told off by the Duke of Edinburgh. Hubby was aiming to take photos of the lovely black horses pulling a carriage – the Duke said to him ‘Haven’t you got anything better to photograph?’
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Ahah great story, I can imagine that! Thanks for reading 😊
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Really enjoyed this. I love the Yorkshire coast too and we’re regular visitors to Kirkstall Abbey. Windsor always looks amazing as well.
If I could make a suggestion for you to try it’d be the Northumberland coast. I’m from Newcastle and miss the coast so much.
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Oh thank you, I’ve never been to that part of the coast but I’ve seen some photos and it certainly looks somewhere I should visit. Thanks for stopping by!
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I really love picknicking! These spots look amazing 😍 Thank you for sharing!
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Glad you enjoyed!
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That stretch of green at Windsor is an inviting spot indeed to spread a blanket! I love that you have a mix of parks and more historical places.
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Yes such a great spot! Thanks for reading 😊
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Some great ideas on here – thank you for sharing! The Long Walk looks particularly pretty!
Blog of Sunshine 🙂
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It is a great spot! Thanks for stopping by 😊
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Thanks for the recommendations, the sun just makes you wanna be out at a picnic doesn’t it! If you are ever in Bath then Victoria Park is a lovely place to go!
Moll x
https://mollslifestyle.com
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Definitely! Oh great suggestion, i haven’t been to Bath yet!
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I’m from the UK and have never been to any of these! Will have to change that once it’s a bit safer!
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This has inspired me to think about the great value in going on a picnic. Thanks!
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Glad i got you thinking, such simple things as food, sunshine and good company create a brilliant thing!
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I’ll definitely be visiting some of these locations once lockdown is over! Thanks for the ideas
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Thanks for reading!
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Oh my goodness! These are all such perfect picnic spots! I have never been to the UK before so I enjoy seeing all these pretty places. Thanks for sharing.
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They are especially when the sun is out! Thanks for stopping by 😊
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Thanks for sharing your favourite picnic spots, I think mine will always be my parents local park 🙂
Nic | Nic’s Adventures & Bakes
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The nostalgia and memories definitely plays a part. Thanks for stopping by 😊
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I used to live very close to Windsor and loved visiting!! Such a gorgeous place isn’t it! All of these other places look lush too.. I can’t wait to explore more of the UK once lockdown is lifted! x
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Yes it is! I agree it makes us appreciate the amazing places we have local to us, thanks for stopping by 😊
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These all sound like lovely picnic spots. There isn’t anything here that would be suitable for a picnic but I love sitting on the seafront with some chips.
http://www.thekellydianereport.co.uk
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Oh the seafront is always a great spot, thanks for reading 😊
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I don’t think I’ve been to any of these apart from Regent’s park! So useful when the weather is this lovely though 🙂
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The long and Windsor Great Park is one of our fave places. We often go for picnics there
GR | https://www.thegreat.uk
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It is a great spot, the views are fantastic, thanks for visiting 😊
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These places are indeed lovely for picnics, thank you for sharing. I should make a picnic soon, the weather has been great and providing people respect social distance, it’s a great activity to do now.
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Yes it is, I hope you have a great time, thanks for stopping by 😊
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Ohh, all these places look so good! The views are amazing! I would really love to do a picnic in every place you called but my main question is about the weather – how to catch the sun in the UK? 😀 I have heard, it can be a problem! So when is it better to travel to the UK?
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Aha, we are experiencing lots of sun at the moment! If you want to see the UK in all its summer sunshine glory, I would recommend visiting in May, June & July, but of course its not guarenteed! Glad you enjoyed, Thanks a lot for reading 🙂
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Great list! Love the shout-outs for Yorkshire and Leeds – Kirkstall Abbey is brilliant! The view up the drive to Windsor Castle is hard to beat on a sunny day too. Hope the weather returns soon so we can get out and about for more picnics! Thanks for sharing!
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Yes hope it returns soon! Thanks for reading 😊
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Great
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These all look like beautiful spots to have a picnic! I live in London so I tend to have picnics in Hyde Park or Regents Park!
Serena / http://www.ramblingsofanotherunigraduate.com
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London’s Royal Parks are beautiful places! Thanks for reading 🙂
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Love these ideas! I visited Windsor last year and that was a gorgeous day for a picnic… we opted for a pub lunch in the sun instead though! x
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Oh you can’t beat a good pub lunch too! 😊 Thanks for reading!
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These look like beautiful places to visit! I’d love to go to Windsor.
I live in Southampton. Yet I hadn’t even thought of mayflower park as an option💛
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It’s better when the cruise ships are passing by but I love to be by the water. Windsor is beautiful. Thanks for reading 😊
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We love Regents Park ❤
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It’s one of London’s best!
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Windsor Castle is still so high up on my UK bucket list!
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It’s definitely worth a visit!
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