10 Perfect Picnic Spots in the UK for Long Warm Days

For a picnic with salt in the air and a sprinkling of island glamour, St Ouen’s Bay sets just the right tone. Wide sands, Atlantic surf and coastal views create one of Jersey’s most spectacular picnic backdrops, especially as the light begins to soften. So, find your spot, slip off your shoes and let lunch drift lazily into the afternoon.

Where to stay: Set in ten acres above the bay, The Atlantic is an elegant coastal retreat, with light-filled rooms, ocean vistas and a strong sense of calm. Its restaurant, led by Executive Chef Will Holland, holds 4 AA Rosettes and has been named in La Liste’s Top 1000 Restaurants.

Golden sands, rock pools and grass-tufted dunes set the scene, while the nearby South West Coast Path leaves you with a pleasing choice: linger over lunch or walk far enough to justify another slice of cake. This is a location that doesn’t need much styling: just a blanket, a hamper and time to let the sea air work its magic.

Where to stay: Thurlestone Hotel brings the full South Devon seaside experience within easy reach, with sea-facing rooms, freshly caught seafood and a vibrant buzz. Unleash your inner Scottie Scheffler on its nine-hole par-three golf course, or escape to the Voyage Spa for some post-picnic pampering.

On a spring afternoon, Wareham really does justify its reputation as one of the UK’s most scenic picnic locations. Laze by the River Frome and watch the boats nudge past the quay and the birds skim the water. Once the last sandwich has disappeared, the nearby meadows invite a gentle stroll.

Where to stay: The Priory celebrates its 50th anniversary on 6 June, adding a little extra occasion to a picnic weekend. Located right on the River Frome, with elegant interiors and an easy country-house feel, it feels wonderfully in tune with its Dorset setting.

 For a picnic with a little polish, Henley is hard to fault. Just beyond the bridge, a short walk along the Thames Path sees the crowds thin and the river take over. Pleasure boats drift past, the banks widen and there is room to stretch out.

Where to stay: The Relais Henley makes a riverside escape feel quietly special. Set in a restored 16th-century coaching inn right on the Thames, it combines individually styled rooms and handsome interiors with an effortless charm.

For a countryside picnic idea with real character, follow Railway Walk beyond Lavenham’s crooked timber-framed streets, where medieval Suffolk gives way to hedgerows and birdsong. Unpack the basket here, then afterwards take a slow wander past leaning houses, old wool-town lanes and one of the county’s loveliest market squares.

Where to stay: The Swan at Lavenham pairs centuries of character with cosy bedrooms, relaxed dining and the joy of stepping out of the front door and straight into history.

Some picnic plans require a hike, a map and plenty of stamina. This is not one of them. At Kilworth House Hotel & Theatre, the best spot is already waiting for you. The estate sets the scene with manicured lawns, an enchanting lake and a dedicated picnic area close to the outdoor theatre. It’s one of the most scenic picnic locations in the UK for those who like their alfresco dining with Victorian architecture, parkland and the promise of a performance afterwards.

Where to stay: After the final bow, return to the Grade II listed Italianate country house hotel itself. Built as a family home in the late 1880s for the High Sheriff of Leicestershire, it remains a picture of timeless elegance with its superb restaurants, luxurious accommodation and exemplary service.

Abberley Hill brings panoramic views, expansive skies and enough of a climb to make the sandwiches feel well earned. Look out for the 19th-century clock tower rising above the trees, a handsome landmark that gives the walk a little extra drama.

Where to stay: The Elms Hotel & Spa is a serene countryside retreat set in a magnificent 18th-century Grade II listed Queen Anne house, with gardens stretching towards the Cotswolds. Inside, characterful bedrooms and award-winning dining set the tone, while the Greenhouse Spa is a botanical oasis that promises a blissful reset for tired legs.

Tucked beneath open hills in Raydale, Semerwater has the quiet drama of somewhere that still appears blissfully unspoilt. The natural lake brings wide skies, softly rippling water and a shoreline made for picnicking, stone-skimming and lingering a little longer than planned.

Where to stay: Yorebridge House is a five-star boutique haven with 12 individually styled rooms, a 3 AA Rosette restaurant and an impressive wine cellar. For a special treat, book The Barn Suite, a private hideaway five minutes from the main house with its own private terrace and hot tub for soaking under the stars.

This is one of the best picnic spots in the UK for those who like their sandwiches accompanied by sweeping fell vistas. The only body of water in the Lake District officially called a lake, Bassenthwaite feels tranquil and unspoiled. It possesses all the beauty of its better-known neighbours, but with smaller crowds.

Where to stay: Armathwaite Hall Hotel & Spa sits on the lake’s northern shore, wrapped in 400 acres of deer park and woodland. The former stately home offers plenty of drama, from parapets and tall chimneys to grand marbled fireplaces, while its award-winning spa delivers the perfect post-walk reset.

Talkin Tarn brings an even gentler Cumbrian mood, with woodland, still water and easy paths that circle the shore. Rustic benches, grassy pockets and willow dens are dotted around the lake, giving this countryside picnic idea a soft, unhurried charm.

Where to stay: Only a few miles from Hadrian’s Wall, Farlam Hall Hotel & Restaurant brings understated elegance, beautiful gardens and rooms spread between the main house and old stables. Enjoy Michelin-starred cooking at Cedar Tree by Hrishikesh Desai, where dishes use ingredients from the hotel’s kitchen garden.