Five perfect summer picnic spots

Dust off your picnic hamper – the al fresco season has arrived. We pick five perfect spots for you and your friends to pitch up and enjoy a delicious spread of nibbles outdoors.

Be it a beach or a park, simply pack a blanket, a ton of food and make your way to one of these incredible picnic destinations, which can easily be reached by train. Book your train tickets in advance and you can save money.

London

Kyoto Garden at Holland Park
Escape from the hustle and bustle of central London with a delicious picnic in the beautiful Kyoto Garden in the heart of Kensington’s Holland Park. One of the capital’s hidden gems, the Kyoto Garden has many luscious grassy spots where you can sit down and relax, be it next to the koi carp pond or by one of the many Japanese shrubs. A peacock may even greet you as you dig into your al fresco lunch.

Brighton

Brighton Beach
Enjoy a scrumptious picnic on Brighton’s pebbly beach. Soak up the glorious sea views that stretch out across the horizon in this picture-perfect British seaside resort, which is also home to an old-fashioned beach carousel and the famous Palace Pier. Professional picnickers may choose to bring a chair with them if the beach proves too bumpy.

Windsor

Obelisk Lawn at Windsor Great Park
There are plenty of glorious picnic spots in Windsor Great Park, but we particularly love the Obelisk Lawn, which has lots of shady picnic areas. You’ll find tables and benches dotted around the Cumberland Obelisk, with gorgeous views of the pond. It also has a decent children’s playground.

Paignton

Preston Sands Beach
This award-winning, red sand beach is big, clean and family-friendly, with interesting rock pools for you to explore at low tide. What more could you want for a perfect picnic by the sea? Behind the beachfront is a stretch of brightly coloured huts sure to make your Instagram snaps pop.

Salisbury

Cathedral Close
The ever-impressive Salisbury Cathedral is not only a stunning medieval building, it is also set in 80 acres of land. With bright green grass everywhere you look, you’ll have no trouble finding a place for your picnic blanket. The views of the cathedral from your picnic spot will be simply breath-taking.