Even a simple sandwich tastes heavenly when it’s eaten in a beautiful setting – that’s one of the reasons people love picnics so much. It’s not the only one though. When the weather’s sunny, the scent of flowers is all around, small white clouds float gracefully in the sky, you’re with friends, family or a grasping novel, picnic is a perfect thing to do. It’s also a great way to relax and escape all the hustle and bustle of large cities. You don’t even have to travel far, just pick the right town and enjoy its green areas. Here’s a list of Great Britain’s best cities for picnics. Pack a soft blanket, a sweet cake and thermos with a proper English tea and enjoy the pretty surroundings!

Table of Contents

Glasgow

Despite of being a large city, Glasgow has many areas in which you can forget you’re in the middle of a metropolis. In the Botanic Gardens you can make a glamorous picnic in the Victorian style. Get a pretty blanket, put it on the green lawn and sit in the surroundings of pretty glasshouses and gorgeous flowers. When your biscuits are finished, you can walk around and take a look at the tropical plants. Kelvingrove Park is great as well. It’s especially popular among students from the nearby university who spread their joyful and youthful vibe all around. The park’s perfect for a small picnic with the company of a good book, but there are also many events being held in the area. A visit to Glasgow’s largest park, the Pollok Country Park, feels like a trip to the woods. If you seek some peace and quiet, that’s your spot. It’s big, so you can always find a secluded piece of nature for yourself. There’s also the Glasgow Green, Rouken Glen Park, Alexandra Park, Tollcross Park and many others.

View of Alexandra Park in Glasgow, United Kingdom

Bristol

Close to Bristol, there’s the picturesque Avon Valley Country Park covering 50 acres of lovely greenery. The area lies along the River Avon, so wonderful walks along the riverside are one of the best activities. There’s also an adventure park for children, a boating lake, a small zoo and lots of space where you can make a picnic. In case you don’t have enough time to get out of Bristol, there are also pleasant parks inside of the city. Thanks to its rolling hills, the Brandon Hill & The Cabot Tower offers great views of Bristol. If you climb the Cabot Tower, they’re going to be even better. About two miles from the center of Bristol you can find the Ashton Court Estate. The park’s charming all year long, but even more so during the Bristol International Kite Festival held annually in September. Leigh Woods is right next to the Bristol’s border, so it’s also very easy to reach. With its wild woodland, the spectacular Avon Gorge and a famous suspension bridge the area’s absolutely stunning.

St Peters Church, in park in Bristol, United Kingdom

London

London has so many parks you can spend weeks just making picnics all around the city. A perfect place to start from is the Somerset House, a gorgeous neoclassical palace with a beautiful courtyard. There are lots of events being held both inside and outside of the building, so you can make the picnic even more interesting by, for example, watching a movie in the summer outdoor cinema. The Greenwich Park is another reason why London’s included on the list of the U.K.’s best cities for picnics. It’s one of the Royal Parks and the largest green areas in London. Then, of course, there’s the famous Hyde Park, a definite must-visit. Even though it’s situated in the city, in the Hyde Park you won’t feel you’re in one of the busiest metropolises in the world. It covers about 350 acres with thousands of trees, tennis courts, walking trails, horse riding tracks, lakeside restaurants and marvelous monuments. The charming Royal Botanic Gardens, Kensington Gardens, the magical Richmond Park and Crystal Palace Park are great as well.

Hyde Park, London, United Kingdom

Wrexham

Wrexam is a small town in North Wales. Despite of being industrial, Wrexham has some nice picnic spots. There’s the lovely Acton Park and the Alyn Waters Country Park, perfect both for walks and little breaks on the green grass. Close to the town of Wrexham you can find the Clywedog Valley & Trail, an enchanting footpath running from the Minera Lead Mines to King’s Mills. That’s where you can learn about the area’s industrial heritage. After the picnic, visit the small museum located along the trail and take a look at the old buildings. They all remind of the area’s past as an important iron manufacturing center. In case you’re travelling with children, there’s a fun playground, so you can be sure they won’t get bored.

Bench in Erddig Park, Wrexham, United Kingdom

Brighton

Brighton’s one of the greenest cities in the United Kingdom. It’s a coastal town with a lovely blue flag beach. This stretch of golden sand is one of the best picnic spots, but you can also explore the city’s numerous parks. Preston Park is great for sport enthusiasts. Once you’re done with eating, you can take a little nap and then go to play football, basketball or tennis. Queen’s Park is another enchanting place, perfect for running, walking and relaxing. There’s a large duck pond with a little island in the middle of it, a great attraction for children. The park’s very popular among dog owners, so you can take your pet with you, let it run around and chat with other dog lovers in the meantime. In the Royal Pavilion Gardens there are usually some musicians playing, so if you fancy a little concert in wonderful setting, that’s the right place to visit.

Royal Pavilion, Brighton, United Kingdom

Do you know what the best cities for picnics in other countries are? Let us know! And don’t forget to share this list with your friends, especially if they’re planning a trip to the United Kingdom.

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