Picnic paradise

Here are some of our favourites from along the coast.

North Wales Coast & Dee Estuary

Picnic sites don’t come much lovelier than this. With a vast sandy beach, dramatic lighthouse and dunes, Talacre Beach is an exceptional place to sit, relax and enjoy your lunch, your way!

The Great Orme offers breathtaking views of the coastline, Snowdonia and Anglesey. Walk to the summit or, alternatively, let the tram take the strain!

Isle of Anglesey

Head to the west of the island and discover the beautiful surroundings of Rhosneigr. There are plenty of spots to choose from, and even Kingsmill have nominated this a top 10 lunch spot in the UK and, if you forgot your lunch, there are plenty of places to pick up supplies.

Alternatively, Newborough Forest has excellent picnic and bbq areas – they’re new this year so be one of the first to indulge!

Menai, Llyn & Meirionnydd

Ascend, ascend! High above Barmouth (and a short distance from the Coast Path) lies dramatic countryside and spectacular views. It’s worth the uphill walk! Alternatively, if you prefer something a little more accessible but equally dramatic, the nearby Mawddach Trail offers excellent scenery and ample options for picnickers! (The Mawddach Trail is also ideal for bikes, wheelchairs and pushchairs.) In the castle town of Criccieth, head to the sea front and enjoy the picnic facilities (you’ll find beach side picnic spots on either side of the castle). With stunning castle views and a pleasant seaside atmosphere it’s a great place for lunch.

Combine lunch with an opportunity to try a spot of bird watching. The Local Nature Reserve at Foryd Bay is an important site for wildfowl and waders. You might spot shelducks, oystercatchers, curlews and lapwing. 

Fancy a beach picnic? You certainly won’t be overcrowded at Dinas Dinlle. A beautiful place with a vast sandy beach; this is perfect for a day trip.

Ceredigion

Llangrannog is a magical spot, a great place to stretch your legs and go for a walk, surf and kayak, or even just sit and relax on the beach with excellent facilities for all the family. If you decide to go for a walk along the Wales Coast Path, there are great places to stop for a picnic and look out along the coastline, keep your eyes peeled for any dolphins or seals as they can often be seen playing in the sea or resting in the coves.

Pembrokeshire

Whitesands near St Davids provides a spectacular setting for lunch. Choose from a beach site or follow the coast path to the north and find a comfy spot to enjoy uninterrupted views!

Pembrokeshire abounds in rugged picnic locations. Try the Deer Park at Marloes with views across the racing waters of the Jack Sound to Skomer Island. You’ll be spellbound. You could even take a wander after lunch to Marloes beach.

Carmarthenshire

A ready-made family day out awaits you at the Millennium Coastal Park. You can even come down with bikes to explore this section of the coast. The challenging bit will be deciding where to stop for lunch.

Gower & Swansea Bay

The Gower Peninsula has a seemingly endless range of options, and one of the Nation’s favourites is Rhossili. It’s a popular picnic spot, and deservedly so, as it overlooks both the promontory of Worm’s Head and Rhossili Bay (Best Beach in Britain, Trip Advisor Travellers’ Choice Awards 2013).

South Wales Coast & Severn Estuary

With amazing views along the Heritage Coast and Porthcawl this picnic spot has to be the most picturesque in Wales. From Ogmore Castle take the ancient stepping stones across the river Ewenny to the cottages of Merthyr Mawr and the biggest sand dune system in Britain.

Enjoy some traditional seaside fun in Porthcawl before heading out to enjoy your picnic on the sandy beaches of Rest Bay and Newton Bay. Rest Bay is particularly known for its surf so you can enjoy your lunch watching the surfers try to catch waves.

Stuck in the city but want to feel like you’ve escaped? Why not try some waterside adventures at the Cardiff Barrageembankment, a Green Flag site since 2009. Set in a unique maritime setting overlooking Cardiff Bay and the Severn Estuary, the 1km embankment retains its own relaxed and tranquil character. It also features a skate park, children's play area and Addizone so you won’t be short of things to do. The lack of steps and flat gradient make it an ideal place to picnic and visit for all.

Try the wilder side of life for lunch! Newport Wetlands is a nature reserve offering a haven for wildlife on the edge of the city, but is a great place for people too with a new RSPB visitor centre, a café, shop and children's play area. Great for bird spotting and there’s an onsite picnic spot as well.

Fancy a spot of heritage with your lunch? Black Rock is a great family friendly picnic spot with panoramic views of the Seven Estuary and you may even spot lave net fishing in action! It is easy to access and has a lovely short walk where you can explore the area.