Top Picks For Picnics

To celebrate July being the #NationalPicnicMonth here's our round-up of our top picks for picnics if you're enjoying a staycation in Scotland, England or Wales.

Scotland

As one of the largest areas of natural beauty in Britain, Rothiemurchus Forest near Aviemore is certainly not short of places to picnic. Visitors can rest weary legs amongst the forest and hills which decorate this spot, ever popular with tourists and locals alike. It’s easy to escape from daily stresses as the sun shines through the ancient pine trees highlighting the rich green of the forest, home to some of Scotland’s most exceptional wildlife – just make sure they don’t try and nab your lunch!

Or head down to the water and lunch by Loch an Eilein to soak up the magical view of its island castle ruin while chowing down on your favourite homemade sandwiches.

Macdonald Spey Valley Resort is perfectly located for guests to make the most of Picnic Month with Rothiemurchus Forest about a 20-minute walk away. With fully equipped kitchen featuring fridge-freezer and oven, guests have the freedom to create their own culinary master-‘pieces’ to fill their picnic hamper for a day of exploring.

Guests at Macdonald Lochanhully Resort can reach Rothiemurchus by car in under 30-minutes, or weather permitting, can enjoy luncheon out on the Resort’s private lochan, offering a perfectly peaceful picnic spot. Weather not permitting, guests can picnic indoors without sacrificing the spectacular views, as they gaze out at the woodland wonders safe inside the cosy conservatory of the traditional Scandinavian-style cabin.

England

The New Forest is all that remains of the deciduous woodland that once covered most of England. It was proclaimed a royal forest by William the Conqueror and the ponies that roam free amongst its trees are a symbol of the rights of common pasture that are still observed here today. Walk any of the tranquil routes beneath the canopy of beech and oak trees and spread a blanket in a forest clearing, or take a coastal stroll through Lepe Country Park, where the New Forest gives way to the Solent, and take in the views of the Isle of Wight while you indulge in a Famous Five-style feast of cake and ginger beer.

Stay at Macdonald Elmers Court and you won’t need to leave the resort’s 23 acres of beautiful grounds and landscaped gardens to find somewhere to set down your picnic basket. Beautiful picnic spots abound, Macdonald Elmers Court Resort rests on the edge of the New Forest and is just minutes from the slipway where the ferry leaves Lymington for the Isle of Wight, an island which also offers a multitude of scenic spots to eat alfresco.

Wales

The wide sweep of Cardigan Bay is the jewel of mid Wales and the sand dunes, sculpted by wind and tide, provide the perfect spot for a seaside picnic amidst the splendour of the coastal scenery. The Welsh Coastal Path offers lunch with a view along the 870-mile walking-route looking out across fields of green, sandy beaches and the Talacre Lighthouse which will add a dash of drama to your picture perfect picnic.

Those who would prefer not to work so hard for their lunch will be pleased to hear that the Welsh Coastal Path cuts right through the middle of Macdonald Plas Talgarth Resort making what’s normally a five hour walk a little less taxing. Alternatively, guests can enjoy the balcony or patio belonging to many of the apartments, studios, lodges and bungalows in the resort, and take in the views of the surrounding hills whilst enjoying a glass of fizz and a flaky Welsh cake.