Formby Beach voted 17th Best Picnic Spot in the UK

Number 17 Best Picnic Spot in the UK Formby is a beach that will quickly have you forget you’re still in the British Isles, such is its golden perfection.......

The 21 Best Picnic Spots In The UK as voted by BuzzFeed

1. Mottisfont Abbey, Hampshire

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A romantic house and gallery nestled among beautiful riverside gardens, Mottisfont Abbey is a prime location for a relaxing picnic. The best time to visit is in June when the internationally famous rose garden is in full bloom. The 500 varieties of roses are not only breathtakingly beautiful, but the glorious scent filling the air will be a memorable accompaniment to your sandwiches.

2. Clifton Suspension Bridge, Bristol

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The bridge’s spectacular setting on the ancient Avon Gorge has made it the symbol of Bristol, with thousands of tourists visiting every year just to walk across. Set up base in the park next to the Clifton Observatory for a relaxing picnic and amazing views.

3. Tarr Steps, Somerset

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Found in the depths of the Barle Valley in the ever-popular Exmoor National Park, this wooded peninsula is an utter delight. Beautiful scenery, comfort, and room for pretty much everyone, no matter how popular it gets. In fact, it’s a spot so luscious, legend has it that the famous river crossing is the work of the Devil himself, and that as a result, Lucifer has exclusive sunbathing rights on the medieval clapper bridge.

4. Westonbirt Arboretum, Gloucestershire

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At first glance, this may look any old forest. But on closer inspection, Westonbirt is a very special place. The National Arboretum houses over 2,500 species of trees, collected from temperate climates from all over the world. From China to Chile, you’ll be able to walk amongst trees that have been planted since the Arboretum’s inception in the 1850s, all before picnicking in the Downs’ grassland.

5. Kyoto Garden, London

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Holland Park is already the quieter little sister of the rather popular Kensington Palace Gardens, but for even more peace and seclusion in West London, head to the beautiful, zen-like Kyoto Garden nestled in the heart of the park. Tranquil serenity included.

6. The Islands of Derwentwater, Cumbria

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This collection of four islands is one of the Lake District’s most spectacular assets. Though there are regularly scheduled ferries that circuit the islands, why not hire your own rowing boat and explore it for yourself? Your picnic will be well-deserved after all that island hopping.

7. Devil’s Pulpit, Monmouthshire

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Legend has it that from atop this rock jutting out from the limestone cliff, the Devil himself stood and preached, attempting to sway the monks below in Tintern Abbey. Despite its sinister backstory, we believe the stunning views of ancient woodland and rolling hills framing the mystical ruins are more than enough to pardon the spot’s rather ominous name.

8. Devil’s Dyke, East Sussex

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Anyone who’s made the train trip along the coast across Brighton, Lewes, and Worthing will have no doubt gazed out of the window in awe at the beauty of the sprawling South Downs. A famous spot for hang-gliding and paragliding. On a clear day you can see for miles, and it makes for a truly wonderful day out.

9. Kynance Cove, Cornwall

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Frequently voted not just one of the best picnic spots in the country, but one of the best beaches in the entire world, Kynance Cove is a place that manages to transcend whatever the British weather throws at it. White sand, turquoise blue waters, and splendid greens, Kynance Cove makes for a genuine thrill on every visit.

10. Waterlow Park, London

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This 26-acre park in North London was given to the public as “a garden for the gardenless” in 1889, and what a garden it is. With panoramic views of London, tree-lined walkways, and picture perfect ponds, your picnic will feel privileged to be hosted here.

11. Corfe Castle, Dorset

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It may be genuinely impossible to take a bad photo of Corfe Castle. In fact, its fairytale looks make it seem almost unapproachable. Well, almost. There’s countless of great activities for the kids at Corfe. If you can, try to catch one of their historical re-enactments of battles between the Saxons and the Vikings.

12. Hayburn Wyke, Scarborough

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How does a picnic by a waterfall sound? This amazing hidden cove is located between Scarborough and Whitby, and found at the end of a picturesque woodland trail, leading out onto a rocky beach. If you’re looking to impress someone special, you could do a lot worse.

13. Hyde Park, London

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A classic, but there’s something hopelessly romantic about taking a boat out onto the Serpentine and wiling away a summer’s day. Despite opening its gates to over 1 million tourists each year, you can always find a quiet patch of grass to relax on.

14. Barafundle Beach, Pembrokeshire

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Once regarded by the locals as one of Pembrokeshire’s best-kept secrets, the cat has definitely been let out of the bag, but don’t let that stop you. This gorgeous crescent beach of golden sands and gentle lapping waves is nothing other than paradise.

15. Richmond Upon Thames, Surrey

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Situated 15 miles southwest from Central London, picture-perfect Richmond will spoil you and your picnic for choice. Be it sharing your lunch with the resident herds of deer at Richmond Park, dining alfresco like a royal at the historic Hampton Court or Ham House, or finding a scenic spot on the banks of the River Thames, whatever it is your picnic wants, Richmond’s got it.

16. Horniman Museum and Gardens, London

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After taking in the museum’s exhibitions, make sure to lounge in one of the many areas the garden has to offer. Be it the meadow below the Bandstand, the botanical gardens, or the South Downs field overlooking Kent, there is a perfect spot for each individual’s picnic needs.

17. Formby Beach, Merseyside

Berit Watkin (CC By 2.0) / Via Flickr: ben124

Formby is a beach that will quickly have you forget you’re in still in the British Isles, such is its golden perfection. But Formby is so much more than just a beach. Once you’ve eaten, you’ve the choice of taking a walk along Formby’s historic coastline, wildlife-spotting in its pine woodlands or exploring the sand dunes, where award-winning asparagus has been grown there by farmers for nearly 200 years.

18. River Swale, Yorkshire

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This river that runs through the Yorkshire Dales has many postcard-worthy spots, but the East Gill Force should be your first port of call. The site, which is easily accessible by road, features a 15-foot waterfall and is a popular picnic spot for families.

19. Arthur’s Seat, Edinburgh

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Situated in the heart of Edinburgh, this dramatic hill in Holyrood Park is just a short walk from the Royal Mile. At a leisurely stroll, you’ll find yourself at the peak of this dormant volcano well within an hour, and there is no better place to enjoy an Edinburgh sunset.

20. Studley Royal Park, North Yorkshire

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Where better to enjoy your mini sausage rolls and cheese sandwiches than in the shade of one of England’s most famous World Heritage Sites, a ruined Cistercian monastery? Or perhaps you’d rather sit and enjoy the elegant water garden, or maybe on the bank of the meandering river? Really, the choice is yours.

21. Chatsworth House and Garden, Derbyshire

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You are sure to find an ideal picnic spot in Chatsworth House’s 1000-acre parkland, that is home to deer, sheep, cattle, and other wild animals. The views of the stately home are rather spectacular, but the three-arch bridge over the River Derwent also provides a fantastic setting for a relaxing afternoon.