Morwenna Alldis from RSPB England celebrates National Picnic month this July by revealing seven of our top RSPB picnic spots to enjoy across England this summer, and reminding people to take care not to start a wildfire during these dry warm months.
It’s National Picnic Month (1-31 July) and we’re celebrating by giving you the run down of some of our top picnic spots at RSPB nature reserves across England.
Eating outdoors at one of our nature reserves, or in the wider countryside, is part of the enjoyment of summer. It’s a great way to make happy memories with friends and family and to take a moment to pause and soak up your natural surroundings – there’s nothing like a sandwich with a view.
By packing a picnic this summer, rather than lighting a barbecue in precious greenspaces, you are helping to protect wildlife, their homes, and people, from the devastation that wildfires cause each year. The summer months cause the vegetation at some of our reserves, and in the countryside, to become much drier, making it more susceptible to catching fire if a spark is lit nearby. Find more info here.
Our four tips for preventing wildfires are:
Picnic Hamper Giveaway!
As a ‘thank you’ for helping us prevent wildfires this summer we are launching a competition to win two amazing picnic hampers to kick-start your picnicking tour of RSPB England reserves this summer. To enter visit our RSPB England Facebook and Instagram pages this week for more details. The answer to win our lovely hampers is within this blog!
Top Seven RSPB England Reserve Picnic Spots
RSPB Arne is situated on Poole Harbour and within the Dorset Area of Natural Beauty. It's a stunning landscape which consists of dramatic open heathland and ancient oak woodland, helping to support a vast array of species of birds and other wildlife.
Enjoy your picnic at one of the benches found throughout this beautiful reserve. Look out for views of any of the six native reptiles that live at RSPB Arne. You may also spot White-Tailed Eagles, Ospreys, Hobbies, Sika and Roe Deer, grazing Pigs, Ponies, Cattle, plus lots of woodland and farmland birds.
Or bring a picnic blanket and enjoy lunch on Shipstall Beach, boasting views of Poole Harbour and Brownsea Island. Look out for some wonderful shoreline wildlife including waders, occasional seals, and you may add an extra guest to your gathering with Sand Lizards sometimes spotted on the low sandy cliffs!
The RSPB Arne Café sells a delicious range of pastries, cakes, sandwiches, pasties, and pies - all locally produced. So, if you don’t have time to make a picnic at home, or fancy a break from the prep, make a pitstop there to gather supplies.
Photo above: Wooden bench at RSPB Arne looking out towards Poole Harbour by Sam Turley (rspb-images.com)
A unique ex-industrial habitat, RSPB Canvey Wick is rich in plant and insect species. A carefully managed blend of grassland and scrubland sit alongside important estuarine landscapes.
Enjoy your picnic on the benches scattered in quiet areas throughout the reserve, not far from the pathways and with lovely view across restored flower rich areas. Or throw a blanket down on the large tarmac pads around the reserve - part of the site’s industrial history and originally constructed to hold oil storage tanks. These were in fact never used due to the oil crisis in the early 70’s after which the site was abandoned. However, sitting on the tarmac is not recommended on very warm days, as you may end up with a hot bott!
Look out for Marbled White Butterflies flitting in the sun, the endangered Shrill and Brown-banded Carder Bees, Adders basking in the heat, and stunning Pyramidal and Bee Orchids in bloom.
Photo above: One of the benches at RSPB Canvey Wick overlooking flower rich area by Marc Outten
Once a military firing range, RSPB Rainham Marshes is now home to a wealth of wildlife, which thrives on the ancient grazing mashes of the Thames Estuary.
This reserve offers plenty of grassy areas for picnic blankets to be spread, as well as lots of benches near the visitor centre and along the reserve’s trails. Sit back and relax with views over the marshes and the River Thames. Escape to the wildlife garden to enjoy a quiet and shaded area if the weather is especially hot.
If you opt for a lie in rather than prepping a picnic, pop along to the reserve’s café which sells hot and cold food and drinks, including sandwiches, crisps, cakes and ice cream – a must have end to your picnic.
Visitors might be lucky enough to spot Water Voles, Shrill Carder bees, Cattle, Kingfishers, and Bearded Tits, as well as many more marshland birds.
Photo above: Family eating a picnic at on of the benches at RSPN Rainham Marsh by David Levenson (rspb-images.com)
This reserve is part of the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Once a conifer plantation, RSPB Farnham Heath has been transformed into a beautiful heathland with views across the Weald.
Dine outside on the reserve benches offering lovely views across the site and the surrounding beautiful Surrey Hills.
You might be lucky enough to see, Sand Lizard, Silver-studded Blue Butterfly, Dartford Warbler, Woodlark, Tree Pipit, Nightjar (from 9.30pm onwards), Green-eyed Flower Bee, Tiger Beetle, Adder, and other common woodland birds.
Whilst there isn’t a café onsite, nearby you can enjoy the café at the Rural Life Living Museum or Squires Garden Centre Café – please check their websites for opening times.
Photo above: A shady picnic spot under a tree at RSPB Farnham Heath by Andy Hay (rspb-images.com)
This site is home to the largest stretch of heathland in the county, as well as acid grasslands, and towering oak woodland.
There are picnic tables for all at the Gatehouse Picnic Area and a natural play area to keep little wildlife explorers entertained. Visitors will also find benches on the nature trails, providing attractive views across heathland and woodland.
At the Gatehouse Café and at The Lodge House enjoy our wildlife friendly gardens filled with the buzz and flutter of bees and butterflies. The Café sells hot meals, toasted sandwiches, cakes, sausage rolls, and ice cream. Visitors can also purchase a variety of hot and cold drinks including wine and beer.
Whilst dining outside and exploring the reserve, keep a look out for lots of woodland birds, like Buzzards, Red Kites, Ravens, Nuthatches, Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Blackcaps, and Robins. Spotted Flycatchers can also be seen at the Gatehouse and in the woodlands.
Photo above: Gatehouse picnic area at RSPB The Lodge by Peter Bradley
Enjoy a picnic in ancient and legend-filled surroundings at this reserve, hopefully Robin Hood won’t rob your sarnie! RSPB Sherwood Forest is full of ancient oaks which have stood for over 500 years and the region’s largest area of open heathland.
Steps and benches are available for visitors to relax and enjoy lunch, located just outside the Visitor Centre within easy distance of the play park and forest edge. Or you’re welcome to bring a picnic blanket. If you need to top up your picnic, head to the reserve café offering a range of tasty hot and cold drinks, food, and snacks.
Enjoy a meal with a view of the special oaks ancient and young alike and including the world-famous Major Oak, the iconic home of Robin Hood. Also, look out for Common Lizards basking in the sun and butterflies.
Photo above: Family enjoying a picnic in Sherwood Forest by Stephen Morgan (rspb-images.com)
RSPB Pulborough Brooks in the Arun Valley, West Sussex is a family-friendly nature reserve boasting heathland, grassland, scrubland, and woodland areas, all rich with wonderful wildlife.
Set up camp on a picnic bench or bring a picnic blanket and sit in the pretty meadow surrounded by trees, located close to the visitor centre and the adventure play area. You can also buy food on site at our lovely café – boasting a yummy range of hot and cold drinks, food, and snacks.
This reserve is bursting with wildlife, you might spot butterflies and dragonflies enjoying the wildflowers. Birds of prey including Hobbies, White-tailed Eagles, Marsh Harriers, Buzzards, and Red Kites. Later in the summer months, enjoy watching the waders, such as different species of Sandpipers, as they start their migration and stop off on the wetlands to rest and refuel.
Photo above: Picnic area at RSPB Pulborough Brooks by Anna Allum
Thank you for keeping our precious greenspaces safe this summer by leaving the barbeque at home, packing a picnic instead and leaving no trace. With your help together we can protect our treasured homes for wildlife so that they can be enjoyed by picnickers for many summers to come.
Discover our other RSPB Nature reserves here.
RSPB England Picnic Month Hamper Giveaway T&S
Rules 1. This competition is open to all UK residents aged over 18, except any employee of or person directly connected with the RSPB and their immediate family members. Proof of age may be required. 2. The competition is free to enter and no purchase is necessary. 3. All entries must be submitted by commenting on the post that will be posted on the RSPB England Facebook and Instagram pages . Entries must be submitted using the comments section of the post. 4. The RSPB will close entries on Tuesday 9th July at midnight. Any entry which is late, incomplete or inappropriate will be deemed invalid at the discretion of the RSPB. 5. The RSPB accepts no responsibility for any technical failure, malfunction or any other problem with any server, internet access system or otherwise which may result in any entry being lost, corrupted or not properly registered or recorded. No responsibility will be taken for damaged or lost entries. 6. The judges shall put all the entries into a random name picker and one winner will be selected. The judges’ decisions shall be final. No correspondence regarding the results will be entered into. 7. There are a total of two Picnic Hamper prizes to be won, one on Facebook and one on Instagram. The winner of both of these hampers cannot be the same person.
8. The hamper prize will include:
8. The winner will be notified by a direct message from either RSPB England Facebook messenger or RSPB England Instagram direct message. They must respond to these messages by providing a postal address and any other requested information to claim their prize. Once this has been confirmed the RSPB will send the winner their prize within 5 days and this information will be deleted. If a winner does not respond with this information within 5 days of being notified by the RSPB then they will forfeit their prize and a replacement winner will be selected from the other applicants. 9. The prize is non-exchangeable, non-transferable and no cash alternative is offered. 10. The RSPB accepts no responsibility for loss or damage to the prize which may occur during delivery to the winner’s address. 11. The prizes may be subject to further terms and conditions imposed by their supplier. The RSPB reserves the right to replace the prize with an alternative prize of equal or higher value if necessary. 12. With the winner’s permission by private message, the winner's name may be announced on the RSPB England Facebook and Instagram pages. A photo may be asked for on receiving the prize to also post on social. 13. Full copyright title remains with the author/owner of any entry. Please see the full Terms and Conditions below. 14. The RSPB reserves the right to refuse entry or to refuse to award the prize to anyone in breach of the Rules or the Terms and Conditions or the spirit of the Rules or the Terms and Conditions.
Terms and Conditions 1. By submitting your entry to the RSPB, you agree to be legally bound by the Rules and these Terms and Conditions. 2. The RSPB reserves the right to hold void, cancel, suspend, or amend the promotion where it becomes necessary to do so. 3. Any entry must be your original work and it must not infringe the rights of third parties including copyright, trade mark, trade secrets, privacy, publicity, personal or proprietary rights. 4. Full copyright title shall be retained by the author of any entry. By submitting any entry to the RSPB, you agree to grant the RSPB a perpetual, royalty-free, non-exclusive, sub-licensable right and worldwide license to use, reproduce, modify, adapt, publish, translate, create derivative works from, distribute, perform, display and exercise all publicity rights with respect to your entry, and/or to incorporate your entry in other works, in any media now known or later developed for the full term of any rights that may exist in your entry, and in accordance with privacy restrictions set out in the RSPB’s Privacy Policy. 5. By submitting an entry, you agree to waive any moral rights contained in your entry. Any entry you provide shall be non-confidential. 6. By submitting an entry, you agree the RSPB may use the material for any purpose and in any way it chooses, including, but not limited to, marketing, publicity, advertising and presentations. 7. The RSPB (including its subsidiaries, agents or distributors) shall not be liable for any direct, indirect or consequential loss or damage or for any costs, claims or demands of any nature whatsoever arising directly or indirectly out of the use of your entry or any part thereof.
8. Insofar as is permitted by law, the RSPB, its subsidiaries, agents or distributors will not in any circumstances be responsible or liable to compensate the winner or accept any loss, damage, personal injury or death occurring as a result of taking up the prize except where it is caused by the negligence of the RSPB, its agents or distributors or that of their employees. Your statutory rights are not affected. 9. You agree to indemnify the RSPB (and its subsidiaries) against any claim from any third party for any breach of the Rules or these Terms and Conditions. 10. The RSPB reserves the right to update these Terms and Conditions from time to time and any updated version will be effective as soon as it is published. 11. The winner may be requested to participate in publicity related to the prize draw which may include the publication of their name and photograph in any media, you agree that your personal date may be used for this. 12. Any entry you provide shall be non-confidential. 13. The RSPB take your privacy very seriously; we will only use your personal information in accordance with the terms of RSPB’s Privacy Policy (available here: www.rspb.org.uk/privacypolicy). Personal data supplied during the course of this promotion will be passed on to third party suppliers only insofar as required for the fulfilment/deliver/arrangement of the prize. . By submitting an entry, you acknowledge and agree that you have read and accept the terms of our Privacy Policy and these Terms and Conditions. 14. This competition is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Instagram. 15. In using Instagram, you acknowledge and agree to be bound by Instagram’s Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy. 16. This competition is governed by English law and English Courts have exclusive jurisdiction. 17. The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (the RSPB) is a registered charity in England & Wales no. 207076 and in Scotland no. SC037654 whose registered address is at The Lodge, Sandy, Bedfordshire SG19 2DL.