Life's a picnic, choose the right spot

A picnic, you can’t get more British than that surely? Regardless of the weather, we always try to make them work. Packing the coolbox and the picnic hamper, taking the blankets and umbrellas, trying to stay optimistic as the wind picks up, we still can’t help but love them. 

Ahead of National Picnic Day Week starting on Saturday 17th June we thought we’d gather together our favourite picnic spots close to our properties dotted around the south east.  

Thorington Theatre, Suffolk  

Just a short drive from our new property in Aldeburgh, Penty on the Hoo, you’ll find a new outdoor theatre that is perfectly nestled into the Suffolk woodland. Thorington Theatre seats 350 visitors with beautiful family friendly shows such as The Wind and the Willows and An Evening with Charlie Mackesy. There is a quaint wooden box office and bar that serves curated local beers, wines, cider, juices and ice creams. There’s a picnic area where visitors can enjoy their home packed lunches before the show or if you’d rather someone else do the work, order a Husk Picnic Bundle hamper that can be delivered to the theatre’s picnic field an hour before your show, it’s effortless and utterly delicious.  

Knightwood Oak, New Forest 

Just a short drive from The Coding Hut, revel in the outdoors and stunning nature of the New Forest at Knightwood Oak. Just a hop skip and a jump from the forest car park is the ‘Queen of the Forest’, the oldest and largest tree in the New Forest is over 500 years old and over 7.4m in girth. The perfect place to settle for a spot of lunch, dogs are allowed off the lead in this well enclosed area, the gravel track is also perfectly suitable for a wheelchair or pushchair. If you’re looking for someone else to take the picnic responsibilities, then look no further than The Forest Foodie. Push the boat out and order a picnic hamper, and if you’re looking for an extra special treat, order one of the seafood platters. A firm favourite of ours is their Setthorsn set, featuring lobster rolls and an English classic of strawberries and cream. The Forest Foodie prides themselves on sourcing local and fresh produce, all delivered in eco-friendly woolcool boxes.  

Chimney Meadows Nature Reserve, Cotswolds  

Located just beyond our Chimney Farm Barns, the Chimney Meadows Nature Reserve’s Nature Discovery Centre is one of our all time favourite spots for sharing an alfresco lunch with the family. With a lakeside café, adventure playgrounds and, of course, picnic benches, the centre is packed with interactive wildlife and natural history on display. Surrounded by a collection of different habitats and wildlife, eat while you take in the beauty of England’s countryside.  

Deal Beach and Pier, Kent 

Sometimes there is nothing better than crunching along the pebbles up to the shoreline and breathing in the fresh, sea air, other than sharing a bite to eat with your nearest and dearest. Deal beach and pier, come rain or shine, is an ever changing canvas of the sky and shoreline that is perfect to take in during a family picnic. With benches and shelter dotted along the beach, make up a sandwich at The Boatman’s Reading Rooms and enjoy the salty air.