Long summer days are here to be enjoyed, and nothing is more idyllic of England than families and friends coming together to enjoy a picnic. The West Midlands has many gardens, parks, nature, and historical sites perfect for picnics. Here we look at the very best picnic spots in the West Midlands.
Birmingham Botanical Gardens
At the Birmingham Botanical Gardens, you can lay a blanket out on the sprawling grassed lawns or sit on one of the many garden benches and picnic tables. The noise and bustle of the city centre are left behind with a 15-acre site bristling with unusual flora and fauna. There is an entry fee which is per adult. The family ticket is perfect if you are a family of four or more.
Elmond Nature Park
If you want to escape the city centre altogether, this wooded nature reserve offers plenty of green space and a chance to see local wildlife. The nature park is situated along the edge of Solihull.
St. Paul’s Square
If you are in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter, St. Paul’s Square is a top spot for picnics. The grassy area offers plenty of shade under well-established trees, with Georgian architecture and Grade II listed church views. The space is free to enjoy and voted as one of the UK’s top urban picnic areas.
Severn Valley Country Park
This 126-acre park is located close to Alveley in Shropshire. The drive is well worthwhile, with several spots created for picnics in the meadows, woods, and riverside. The park has plenty of activities, ranging from bird spotting to orienteering and pond dipping.
Cannock Chase Forest
Cannock Chase Forest is located north of Birmingham and has spots reserved for picnics and a cafe with garden benches for lunch. Facilities include a children’s play area, a cycle centre, and woodland walking trails.
Hanbury Hall
Hanbury Hall has a beautiful Orangery Lawn for family picnics and games. Kytes Orchard offers a quieter spot for couples’ picnics with stunning views of the park. The park is dog-friendly, with more than 400-acres to explore. If your visit extends into the evening, then the outdoor theatre holds regular productions.
Bancroft Gardens
Bancroft Gardens offer riverside picnics located by the Avon in Stratford. An alternative picnic spot is Great Garden of New Place, located behind Nash’s House, where Shakespeare wrote some of his greatest works.
Walsall Arboretum
With a refurbished recreation area, boathouse, bandstand, visitor centre, and cafe, Walsall Arboretum is a great place for family picnics. Garden chairs and picnic benches are laid out by the cafe for those who have not packed sandwiches and a picnic blanket.