The UK’s best picnic spots for campervans in 2021
05 July 2021
Now is the time to start getting out and enjoying the marvels of the UK countryside in your campervan. Pack up the cool box and picnic rug, check the tyre pressures, make sure you're equipped with some decent insurance for your campervan because it’s time to hit the open road.
Don't forget to be aware of the new Countryside Code at all times. Stay on marked footpaths, avoid feeding livestock, and clear up after yourself – and you'll help to ensure that everyone gets to fully enjoy the glories of our national countryside.
So, here's our rundown of some of the UK's choicest, campervan-friendly picnic spots…
- Holyrood Park and Arthur's Seat, Edinburgh
Edinburgh's Holyrood Park and neighbouring Arthur's Seat must boast one of Britain's most iconic views, with 360-degree vistas of the Scottish capital below, as well as more distant panoramas northward across the Firth of Forth to Fife, and south-west to the Pentland Hills.
Beginning at the eastern end of the Royal Mile, Holyrood Park itself is an imposing network of hills and crags with, at its summit, the 350-million-year-old extinct volcano that is Arthur's Seat.
Climb to the top for a commanding view down Edinburgh's famous Royal Mile, to the equally impressive Edinburgh Castle away at the western end. Next to Holyrood Palace, meanwhile, you'll find an inviting grassy area, perfect for picnics and for the little ones to let off a bit of steam.
You'll find parking at Queen's Drive, next to the Palace.
- Barafundle Bay, Pembrokeshire
If you don't mind the short half-mile walk from your van with the picnic things, we'd definitely recommend Barafundle, one of the finest of many beautiful beaches along the Pembrokeshire coast. With its golden sands and clear blue waters, Barafundle is a familiar entry in polls of Britain's best beaches.
The beach is backed with sand dunes, with some tranquil pine forests beyond. There are also ample rock-pooling opportunities for kids and adults alike.
And, if you need to walk off your lunch, you can set straight off onto a section of the stunning Pembrokeshire Coast Path, with its spectacular views and wealth of wild flowers and birdlife.
- Bowlees, County Durham
This beautiful woodland and river area near the Durham market town of Barnard Castle features four waterfalls and a riverside footpath leading to the Summerhill Force waterfall. Just behind the latter is Gibson’s Cave, named after the 16th Century outlaw who hid from the law (while sympathetic locals brought him food packages, so the story goes!).
Keep your eyes out for one of Britain's most unique birds, the dipper, which makes its home along these fast-flowing river banks. The old limestone quarry, meanwhile, contains many wild flowers – including no less than seven species of orchids.
If you need to work up an appetite, why not make the two-mile walk to High Force, England's largest waterfall? It drops an eye-popping 21 metres.
You’ll find toilets and free parking on site.
- Burton Dassett Hills Country Park, Warwickshire
If it's the serenity of rolling hills you're after, we can think of few better destinations than this upland country park near Warwick.
The views over surrounding Warwickshire, Northamptonshire and Oxfordshire are breathtaking, while the Beacon that sits atop the hill is Mediaeval, and may have originally been used as a windmill before being converted to a look-out tower.
Lovers of history and architecture will want to make a beeline for the village of Burton Dassett itself, at the foot of the hill, for its 12th Century church.
Back up on the hilltop, if the kids have been cooped up in the van for a while, there are few better places to run around and let off some excess energy. Kite flyers will also have a field day up here.
- Dungannon Park, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland
Some 40 miles west of Belfast, Dungannon is sure to find favour with lovers of lakes, parkland and tranquil scenery.
The centrepiece of the 70-acre estate is the stream-fed lake, which is packed with rainbow trout (fishing boats and instruction are available on-site if you want to make a day of it).
There are plenty of picnic spots around the lake and among the mature woodland that surrounds it, while up on the higher ground you'll be treated to some awe-inspiring views of the surrounding countryside, stretching as far – on a clear day – as the magnificent Lough Neagh, the British Isles' largest lake.
- Corfe Castle, Dorset
Dorset's fabulous Corfe Castle is a worthy centrepiece for any day out. The Norman castle has dominated the surrounding Isle of Purbeck for nigh-on 10 centuries, during which time it served as both a Saxon and Norman fortress, a royal palace and – from Elizabethan times onwards until its demolition in the Civil War – a family home. It now stands as one of the most iconic and arresting sights of the British countryside.
Once you've finished marvelling at the ruins themselves, there's plenty to see and do in the village of the same name at the foot of the hill. Choose from the Model Village or Animal Rescue Centre – or, if you're not hurrying on elsewhere, why not take the steam train to beautiful Swanage nearby?
- Loch Lubnaig, Highlands, Scotland
Magnificent Highland views are the big draw at Loch Lubnaig, a beautiful stretch of fresh water nestled between the mountains of Ben Ledi and Ben Vorlich.
The loch itself is narrow and steep-sided, making for some magnificent views up into the hills that surround it (driving around these parts can be an interesting experience – make sure your campervan insurance is up to date). Its north-south axis means it can also be a more sheltered place to stop than some of its east-west neighbours, which tend to catch the prevailing winds more.
Around the loch, there are a fair few flat, pebbly beaches that make for ideal impromptu picnic spots, although there are dedicated picnic spaces as well – not to mention the Cabin Café, if you fancy letting someone else do the catering. Whatever the season, you may also catch some hardy open-air swimmers sampling the loch's waters!
- Llyn Geirionydd, Snowdonia, north Wales
Snowdonia can lay claim to some of the most ravishing scenery in the British Isles, and the lakeside picnic spot of Llyn Geirionydd, in the Gwydir Forest, certainly doesn't let the side down.
The lake shore is reputed to be the home of the sixth-century Welsh poet Taliesin – you can find a stone monument to him along the north bank.
Elsewhere, there's a circular waymarked walk from Llyn Geirionydd itself, up through the forest to the neighbouring lake of Llyn Crafnant, with some splendid lake and mountain scenery along the way.
Gywdir Forest will be of particular interest to lovers of archaeology and old industrial architecture; this region was once a busy centre for lead and zinc mining, and you'll find many clues and remains of old engine-houses, waste tips and reservoirs throughout the forest.
- Tentsmuir, near St Andrews, Scotland
Beautiful beach scenery? Seashell hunting as the waves lap your feet? Marine wildlife galore? The beach of Tentsmuir, near the ancient town of St Andrews, certainly ticks a lot of boxes.
Surrounding the beach itself are pine forests and sand dunes; the local wildlife, from coastal wildflowers to flocks of hungry seabirds, is much in evidence at any time of the year.
Look out for red squirrels in the trees, roe deer moving along the forest floor – and perhaps a seal basking on the sand. You'll also find a dedicated picnic area and, once they're done wave-dodging and seashell-foraging, a dedicated play area for the kids.
- Dunstable Downs, Bedfordshire
One word: views.
A high point in the Chiltern Hills, the Dunstable Downs command vast vistas of the surrounding countryside – on a clear day you'll be able to gaze out over Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire.
Don't forget to look up, as well as down, though. As well as some eye-wideningly huge skies, you should see all manner of interesting flying objects – from the beautiful red kites that have recolonised the Chilterns, to members of the London Gliding Club who take off from a high point nearby. You can join in the fun, too: this is, not surprisingly, a great place for kite flying.
Keep your eyes peeled, too, for the newly-restored Whipsnade White Lion, an enormous big cat cut into the chalk downland by the nearby Whipsnade Zoo.
Wrap up warm, though – the wind can whip through you up there on the top! And take the roads up to the top at a steady pace. Maybe you'll want to check your camper insurance before getting behind the wheel.
- Avebury stone circle, Wiltshire
Few places in the UK hold such a sense of place and history as the stone circle at Avebury.
The village itself is pretty and historic: add to this the world's largest prehistoric stone circle – dating from some 4,500 years ago – and you have a uniquely special place.
The National Trust owns and looks after a large part of the village and its surrounding landscape, which is free to explore throughout the year.
If the stones and their unique atmosphere have inspired you to find out more, you'll want to look in at Avebury's Alexander Keiller Museum, which recounts the history of archaeological excavation in and around the village.
Then, after lunch, continue the Neolithic theme by taking in the ‘avenue’ of stones that originally led to The Sanctuary, once an intricate circle of timber posts whose function remains a mystery to this day.
Further on, but still part of the same extraordinary Neolithic complex, are West Kennet Long Barrow – one of Britain’s largest burial sites – and the enigmatic, man-made Silbury Hill.
- Tarn Hows, Lake District
In an area of England hardly short of beauty spots, Tarn Hows must rank as one of the prettiest. The site itself is a tarn, or small lake, some two miles from the larger and more famous lake of Coniston. The tarn has some interesting literary history: the land around it was bought in 1929 by beloved children's author Beatrix Potter, who later bequeathed the land to the National Trust.
The scenery here is simply breathtaking: wooded hills in the foreground, the peaks of Helvellyn and the Langdale Pikes further in the distance. There's a beautiful picnic site here, as well as a two-mile circular walk. And the good news is that, despite its splendid isolation, toilets are available at the car park – a godsend if there are little ones in tow.
- Fearnoch, near Oban, Argyll and Bute, Scotland
Peace and quiet are the order of the day in this mixed forest on the southern side of Loch Etive on Scotland's beautiful West Coast.
You'll find woodland birds and red squirrels in the forest canopy above you: cast your gaze further and you'll be treated to dramatic views of Ben Cruachan, Argyll’s highest mountain.
Public toilets and places to eat, drink and shop can be found in the nearby village of Taynuilt.
- Roseisle, Moray, Scotland
This is another gem of a place with something for everyone. Near the historic town of Elgin on Moray's coastline, the beach at Roseisle is a brilliant choice for an active family day out.
You'll find picnic tables sprinkled among the trees near the car park, as well as some purpose-built barbecues on site (you can also bring your own disposable barbecue – just stand them on the ceramic tiles provided on some of the picnic tables). Kids will be able to enjoy the play equipment near the picnic area while you get prepping.
Or you can just kick back on the sandy beach, or venture along to the bird hide to see what's foraging in the woods.
There's plenty for history lovers, too. Roseisle was used by Americans and Canadian soldiers as a training ground ahead of World War Two's D-Day landings, and you can still see remnants of the anti-tank blocks and pillboxes.
Definitely somewhere to make a day of it. Picnic hamper, beachwear, campervan insurance up to date… and off you go!
- Osterley Park, near London
It's just 11 miles from central London, but at Osterley Park you are guaranteed to feel a long way from the hubbub of the city.
Osterley's attractive mix of lakes, meadows and parkland makes for a perfect family picnic spot. You can even hitch your bikes to the van and ride them around the grounds (or hire some when you get there); picnic by the lake, wander around the meadows, and just generally revel in the serenity of it all.
Take our campervan insurance with you, every step of the way
We hope the list above provides with you plenty of inspiration for some truly memorable days out in your campervan, this summer and beyond.
Just make sure you're fully equipped with the campervan insurance that you'll need to take to the roads with confidence.
Get a quote for campervan insurance today.
Policy benefits, features and discounts offered may very between insurance schemes or cover selected and are subject to underwriting criteria. Information contained within this article is accurate at the time of publishing but may be subject to change.