PICK-ME-UP PICNICS
Tired of sitting in the local park? Head for the hills and spread your blanket at a truly scenic spot
WE’RE allowed out, but not for the night. And it’s summer when a proper picnic in beautiful surroundings comes into its own.
to save you wasted journeys, we’ve scoured the country to find the perfect spots to feast on a hamper at a safe social distance. Barricades, bollards and ‘closed’ signs have been removed from these sites.
DEVIL’S DELIGHT
Devil’s Dyke, W. Sussex
FIND plenty of blanket-spreading room in the South Downs national Park north of Brighton. this steep grassy mile-long ravine offers views Constable called ‘the grandest in the world’. Plenty of car parks around the site are open, allowing safe access to Britain’s largest and most spectacular ‘dry valley’.
DON’T MISS: Swallows swooping playfully over the South Downs heralding summer’s arrival.
LANCASHIRE’S FINEST
Pendle Hill, Forest of Bowland, Lancs
CHOOSE from 300 sq miles of rugged moorland classed as an Area of Outstanding natural Beauty. towering above all those brilliant Bowland picnic spots is this massive isolated hill with spectacular views — once you conquer steep paths up it. the reward is enjoying sandwiches looking over miles of rolling ribble Valley.
DON’T MISS: Find out about Pendle’s spooky story after its witchcraft trial 400 years ago.
CHALK IT UP
Westbury White Horse, Wilts
PICNIC next to the chalk white horse on ancient grassy hillfort ramparts overlooking a patchwork of fields with distant views of other white horse figures.
intrepid picnic carriers charge up steep footpaths re- enacting Alfred the great’s defining victory against Vikings here 1,150 years ago. the less energetic drive up the winding lanes to a big free car park.
DON’T MISS: if it’s busy, find a safe space on quieter eastern slopes with views down a hidden valley to the village of Bratton.
ROOM FOR EVERYONE
Summer Hill, Malvern Hills, Worcs
BARRICADES have been removed on more than a dozen Malvern car parks, re-opening these spectacular hills to picnickers and walkers. Malvern ridge is more than eight miles long — big enough for scores of safe picnic spots.
On the south side of Worcestershire Beacon, try using the many natural rock slabs on Summer Hill as tables. From here, views south along the ridge stretch as far as the Cotswolds.
DON’T MISS: June is the start of the peak butterfly season here. How many different types can you spot?
ON A HIGH
Cleeve Hill, Cheltenham, Glos
At THE top of the rocky ridge looming over eastern Cheltenham is 1,000 acres of grassy plateau with a memorable panorama westwards.
gaze across the city spires to the sparkling river Severn and dark Welsh hills beyond. Picnic next to exposed rocks and bent windswept trees … then prepare for incredible sunsets.
DON’T MISS: At more than 1,000 ft (330 metres), Cleeve is the Cotswolds’ highest point. locals say you can sometimes see Exmoor, 90 miles away.
A GOOD CAUSE
Wandlebury Country Park, Cambs
WITH eight miles of paths through cow parsley and swathes of buttercups, it’s easy to socially distance at this charityrun country park. Position picnic blankets for hazy views of Ely Cathedral, next to a roman road or in a quarter-mile avenue of beeches.
DON’T MISS: Explore buildings dating to Wandlebury’s time as a royal stables and the grave of legendary ‘King of the Wind’ stallion godolphin Arabian.
WILD & WONDERFUL
Dunkery Beacon, Exmoor THIS Exmoor peak is part of a three-milelong hill with space to picnic between purple heathers looking down towards Porlock Beach and the Bristol Channel.
the highest point of southern England outside Dartmoor can get blustery, so retreat to the sheltered Webbers Post Picnic Spot between the Beacon and A39 if necessary. Both car parks are open.
DON’T MISS: England’s tallest tree, a 197 ft (60 metres) Douglas fir, down the hill at nutcombe Bottom.
MYTHICAL BEAUTY
Nine Ladies Stone Circle, Youlgreave, Derbyshire
PEAK District national Park offers hundreds of picnic possibilities so it’s easy to escape crowds at lesser known sites such as this Bronze Age stone circle. the circle is said to be nine ladies turned to stone as a penalty for dancing on Sunday.
DON’T MISS: graffiti carved on the King Stone, 40 yards west, is centuries old.
HISTORIC SETTING
Stanwick Fort, Forcett, North Yorks
ALMOST six miles of ramparts mark the site of the pre-roman Brigantes tribe’s capital. One of England’s biggest iron Age towns and our biggest hillfort, it once had 16 ft stone walls. great for children’s safe adventures.
DON’T MISS: letting your imagination wander: 2,000 years ago this was home to up to 85,000 people.