National Picnic Week (11th - 19th June)

The 11th to 19th of June brings us National Picnic Week! The week encourages and provides people with the opportunity to get together and have a picnic. National Picnic Week was founded in 2006 and since then it has grown significantly with many people celebrating it! 

So, why not find an ideal location, pick a day, hope for great weather and have a picnic with your friends or family. Here are some wonderful locations to choose from:

Quex Park, in Birchington, Thanet is located outside the Quex House, an elegant regency home. Quex House still remains as a family home however some rooms are open to the public. There are seven acres of garden and woodland and it still contains Victorian and Edwardian influences. Why not explore the house and gardens before settling down for a picnic. 

Milton Creek Country Park is Sittingbourne’s newest green space. The creek itself is a shallow tidal inlet. The park is also home to 128 acres of greenery, the Holy Trinity Church and a children’s play area. This is a great place for the entire family to enjoy a picnic in the sun – the park will keep the children entertained too. 

Brockhill Country Park in Hythe was previously part of the Norman Manor estate. The country park has a lake, meadows, as well as picnic and play areas. There are various different areas of the park to explore; the lake is definitely worth a visit. The park is divided by the Brockhill stream but there is plenty of space to eat some food and let off some steam! 

Lower Leas Coastal Park in Folkestone has three wide recreational zones. The first is the formal zone which has a flower bordered walkway. The fun zone has a large play area and an amphitheatre and the wild zone is home to diverse wildlife. Each with a different feel, you’ll find lots to do. All have fantastic views and the park isn’t far from the beach either. 

Shorne Woods Country Park in Gravesend is part of the Kent Downs, an area of outstanding natural beauty. It was previously part of the Cobham Hall Estate and it is known as a site of Special Scientific Interest with 300 acres of woodland. With so much land to explore, you won’t fall short of places to sit down and relax.

Langdon Bay in Dover offers lovely views over the white cliffs. Discover the clifftop meadows and walk along the stony paths. You could choose to eat your picnic on the grassy area or the rocky shores! Either way you’ll get a great view.  

Eynsford in Sevenoaks is a lovely picturesque village, with the Eynsford Castle which is under care of the English Heritage and its surrounding areas. Why not visit the castle and then set up your picnic nearby, or walk by the riverside, watch the ducks and paddle in the water. The views and area are ideal for a picnic.

The Tower Hill Tea Gardens in Whitstable has a large grassy area, outdoor tables and chairs, as well as stunning views. It is based at the Whitstable Castle which was first known as the Tankerton Towers. The garden is well maintained and always changing. It is used as a venue for shows and festivals, but is a lovely spot for a picnic. 

Teston Bridge Country Park in Teston has 32 acres of grazed meadow and views of the 14th century Teston Bridge. The bridge meadow is a large grassy area and is a great place to have a picnic in the sun. Why not see what birds and mammals you can spot?  

Visit the Kent County Council website for more country parks where you can take your picnic. You can also visit the National Picnic Week website for recipe and activity ideas for the family. You can also vote for your favourite British picnic spot on the website.  

Let hope this summer brings nice weather for our picnics!

Read “Get on your feet” and learn what we got up to when we created our own mini “On Your Feet Britain” activity week.