When the weather starts getting brighter and warmer and you’re surrounded by the beautiful Dorset landscape, what could be better than dining al fresco with a picnic made up of some of the region’s best local produce?
We’ve put together five of our favourite picnic spots in the county so all you need to do is grab yourself a blanket and put together your picnic!
Brownsea Island, Poole Harbour
There is a reason we’ve listed this one first and that is that there is something a bit more exciting about going for a picnic on an island! Brownsea Island is located just off Poole Harbour and acts largely as a nature reserve with plenty of birdlife and squirrels living there. It was also supposedly the inspiration for the Famous Fives’ Whispering Island, so you can have a very romantic, storybook style adventure!
For your picnic, why don’t you think about grabbing something sweet for afters from one of our confectionary producers? Click here to see what is available.
Dancing Ledge, Swanage
Admittedly, this one is a bit on the steep side, so it might not be ideal for everyone, but once you’ve reached the ledge, you can take a seat, feel the salty breeze teasing your hair and eat your lunch to the sound of the sea birds and the waves lapping against the cliffs. It’s a great spot for anyone wanting to get away from it all and escape for a few hours.
This is a great picnic spot for those of you planning on taking a few seafood bites with you, take a look at our seafood producers here.
Kimmeridge Bay, Purbeck
If you’re looking for a spot by the sea, this one is pretty perfect, situated along the Jurassic Coast, this bay has plenty of little rock pools to keep you amused and the views are pretty spectacular. As you’re by the coast, you have to round off your dinner with an ice cream. Click here to find out which ice cream producers supply shops and cafes in the area.
Sandsfoot Castle, Weymouth
For those of you who like getting back to nature and enjoy learning more about the heritage of the area, this is a great spot for a picnic. The castle can be found along the Rodwell Trail, a former railway line that is now used for walking and cycling, so you can really work up an appetite exploring the grounds and ruins of the castle before sitting down among the greenery to enjoy your dinner. This is a great family-friendly picnic spot, so stock up on fruit and veg for your picnic to make sure the kids get a healthy but delicious treat.
Golden Cap, Bridport
There is no higher spot in the county than this one and you can really indulge with your picnic lunch after the climb. On a clear day you can see all around the Jurassic Coast, so be sure to take your cameras with you, Golden Cap has loads of wildlife to spot as well.
Do you have any favourite picnic spots in Dorset? Let us know on Facebook or Twitter and tag us in your photos on Instagram.
