Picnic Perfection
Celebrate the joy of picnicking in Kent this summer by exploring the outdoors, from riverside banks and clifftop perches to heritage gardens and shady woodlands. Pairing each picnic spot with local attractions or walking routes to make a leisurely day out feel whole, here are insideKENT’s top picnic spots.
©National Trust Images John Miller
Scotney Castle, Tunbridge Wells
A ruined medieval castle and Victorian mansion house set within grounds of rolling parkland, ancient woodland and a picturesque garden, Scotney Castle is a truly beautiful place for a picnic adventure this summer. This 780-acre estate is open daily from 10am, welcoming visitors who want to explore the fairytale-like vision of the landscape. The view from the semi-circular bastion to the moated castle ruin is breathtaking all times of year, but especially in summer when the surrounding water is dappled by afternoon sun.
Providing the picture-perfect backdrop to a day in the sunshine, old English roses clamber up the walls of Scotney Castle and a network of trees around the main garden take centre stage, from majestic towering redwoods to tulip trees with their yellow, bowl-shaped flowers. In the herbaceous border, summer blooms include dahlias, achillea and bee-covered nepeta, a view which visitors will certainly savour during an amble through the grounds. On hotter days, the meandering paths of the Quarry Garden offer shady escape, with plenty of benches to rest and enjoy a packed lunch along the peaceful moat walk.
Grove Ferry Picnic Site, Canterbury
A natural space open to all, Grove Ferry Picnic Site is situated along the picturesque banks of the Great Stour river and has rightfully been named the ideal place to have a picnic in Kent. Once there, visitors can sit by the waterside and watch the boats pass by along the river, or take a gentle stroll along one of the grass pathways to pay attention to local wildlife like birds and butterflies. Open from 9am until dusk, those with a four-legged friend are in luck as dogs are more than welcome too.
During the summer months, visitors can take boat trips out on the River Stour from the Grove Ferry Inn (groveferryrivertrips.co.uk), and Canoewild also offers canoe hire for the more adventurous wanting to enjoy an out and back paddle through the waters of Grove Ferry (canoewild.co.uk). At just £27 per canoe, families of up to two adults and two children can enjoy the very best scenery along the lively riverside, extending an afternoon picnic in the sun to an exciting day out exploring the tranquility of Kent’s waters.
Pegwell Bay Country Park, Sandwich
Forming part of the Sandwich and Pegwell Bay National Nature Reserve, this country park boasts stunning cliffside views, a play area, mobile refreshments and plenty of space for picnicking. The main park path is perfect for embracing coastal walks, with this stretch of serene coastline including chalk cliffs, mud flats, sand dunes and saltmarsh. The park itself acts as the entrance to the nature reserve, which is known as an area of national importance for the local bird species and rare flora that call Pegwell Bay National Nature Reserve home. In the summer, the grass is speckled with wild flowers like orchids and broomrapes, and the public bird hide is accessible for birdwatchers who want to encounter birds of prey such as the merlin, a small species of falcon that often circles above the landscape.
The main path at Pegwell Bay is flat and therefore wheelchair friendly, and the coastal path from the car park provides a great route towards the shoreline, where visitors can picnic with a sweeping backdrop across the bay when the tide is low. Though all routes within the site are footpaths only, cyclists wanting to explore the areas can join the Sustrans National cycle network which runs through the site from Whitfield to the district of Thanet. Additionally, at Pegwell Country Park, weekly parkruns take place every Saturday at 9am (parkrun.org.uk), so don’t forget your trainers!
Dunorlan Park, Royal Tunbridge Wells
A richly varied Victorian garden with all the amenities of a modern outdoor space, Dunorlan Park is a spacious stretch of wild grassy slopes, a picturesque lake and sweeping views across to the Weald. Once the private grounds of a grand mansion built by Yorkshire-born millionaire, Henry Reed, Dunorland was laid out in the 1850s by renowned gardener, Robert Marnock. From a chalybeate spring and Grecian temple to a beautiful fountain adorned with water nymphs and classical figures, there’s plenty to explore.
After enjoying a lunchtime picnic overlooking the lake, visitors can hire a pedal boat, rowing boat or canoe to head out on the water.. Afterwards, the Natural Adventure play area featuring its very own Dunorlan Dragon is a great place for little ones to blow off some steam, or instead head to one of the park’s dipping platforms to enjoy the cooling excitement of pond dipping. Dogs are welcome within the grounds as long as they’re kept on a lead in all areas except the meadows, so why not bring the whole family to Dunorlan Park for a day out of picnics, play and diverse adventures?
A 450-acre green space with woodland, rivers, grassland and a scenic lake, Mote Park has long been considered one of Kent’s best parks. Open 8am until dusk, Monday to Sunday, the park is home to four children’s play areas as well as a skate park, making it fit for a fun day out with the entire family. With plenty of spaces to enjoy an afternoon picnic, Mote Park also has an on-site cafe that serves snacks, drinks and ice creams for those looking to enjoy an extra treat.
Home to its very own Watersports Centre, Mote Park has a professional full-time team who deliver a wide range of training including RYA and British Canoeing awards. Open seven days a week throughout the year, general hire is operated on a first come, first served basis so there’s no need to pre-book! Another exciting activity to extend a day out, Mote Park is always looking for volunteers to help out with tasks from building bird boxes and hedge clearing to helping out with events and planting trees. A great way to learn new skills and meet potential friends, volunteers meet every Wednesday between 9:30am and 1pm, making it the perfect pre-picnic venture during the summer months.
Established in 1985, Elham Valley is the oldest vineyard within the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, with the newest vines planted just over a decade ago in 2011. Having been carefully tended to and harvested by The Fifth Trust’s horticultural students, volunteers and staff ever since, Elham Valley Vineyard is home to varieties of bacchus, pinot noir and solaris.
Visitors are welcome to stroll along the stunning garden walkway of Elham Valley through rows of approximately 2,000 vines, and enjoy delicious homemade food including afternoon tea within their cafe. Overlooking the vineyard with both indoor and outdoor seating, this is the ideal place to stop for a hearty meal or light bite in the summer, with ingredients sourced from their skills centre. Just a short drive away, couples wanting to enjoy a romantic afternoon picnic can head to the Barham Downs Nature Reserve, which is home to a variety of wildlife and plant species as well as sprawling views across the rolling hills and lush forests of the Kentish countryside.
Shorne Woods Country Park, Shorne
A 300-acre country park situated between Gravesend and Strood, Shorne Woods Country Park offers a range of geologically interesting natural habitats to explore. Featuring an eco-friendly visitor centre and restaurant, fishing lakes, play areas and plenty of space for picnics, a day out at Shorne Woods Country Park is sure to have everything you’ll need. Waymarked trails let visitors make the most out of the park’s outdoor space, with accessible routes, running trails and a combined horse and cycling route that encourages all who visit to get their bodies moving.
For those with a smartphone and a sense of adventure, both geocaching and a permanent orienteering course are available at Shorne Woods, providing a great excuse to learn more about the landscape from different perspectives. Home to woodlands, wetlands and meadows, the country park also offers exclusive activities on select days, with upcoming events including a visit from Joe’s Bows Archery on 20 August, a Circus Skills Workshop on 26 August and even opportunities to can first aid or forest school leadership certifications (kentcountryparks.co.uk).
A 16th-century artillery fort built by Henry VIII to protect the Downs from invasion by European Catholic powers, Deal Castle is an absolute must-visit for history buffs wanting to enjoy a summertime picnic by the sea. With plenty to see and do, visitors can explore the castle’s striking bastions and enjoy spectacular views across Deal beach, or engage with hands-on learning through their interactive exhibits. Find the illustrated map of Europe to discover the international situation at the time of the castle’s construction and listen upstairs to the stories of those who lived and worked within the castle. Known as the ‘Rounds’, Deal Castle also has a twisting, dark and damp passageway beneath, running along the outside of the outer bastions and covering the base of the moat. Within the Rounds, look out for the audio adventure posts to truly bask in the atmosphere.
Just a stone’s throw from the seafront, visitors can enjoy their picnic on the lawn of Deal Castle, embracing the coastal breeze and rich history of the surrounding area. For those in search of a souvenir for a summer scrapbook to commemorate the day, be sure to head to Deal Castle’s gift shop and beloved secondhand bookshop before heading back home.
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