| In the hope of a sunny August (fingers crossed, | | | | 6. Lyme Park (Near Diesly, Stockport, Chesire) |
| touch wood etc), here's a list of Britain's top picnic | | | | What girl can forget the scene in Pride and Prejudice |
| spots, as recommended by the Waitrose website. | | | | (the 'real' BBC version) where Colin Firth emerges |
| 1. Mottisfont Abbey Garden (Near Romsey, | | | | from the water? Well, Lyme Park is where it was |
| Hampshire) | | | | filmed! With 1,400 acres of parkland to choose from, |
| Though Mottisfont's pride - the National Collection of | | | | you're bound to find your perfect picnic spot to play |
| Old-Fashioned Roses - tends to be at its best in July, | | | | at being Mr Darcy and Lizzie Bennett. |
| this year's weird weather may have delayed their | | | | 7. Wimpole Home Farm (Arrington, Royston, |
| bloom somewhat. Even if you miss the roses' prime, | | | | Cambridgeshire) |
| you will enjoy the gorgeous gardens and the beautiful | | | | This is one for the animal lovers! The working farm |
| house. Perfect for an evening's Jane Austen | | | | specialises in rare breeds of sheep, goats, cows and |
| re-enactment... | | | | horses from the 1700s. The perfect spot for a |
| 2. Bodiam Castle (Near Robertsbridge, East Sussex) | | | | traditional farmhouse picnic, followed by meetings |
| If you prefer Monty Python to Jane Austen - this | | | | with Shire horses and lambs. This spot is a favourite |
| castle is for you! It featured in the Python film The | | | | with families as there's plenty to keep kids |
| Holy Grail and boasts a splendidly well-preserved | | | | entertained. |
| medieval castle complete with moat, battlements and | | | | 8. Stowe Landscape Gardens (Buckingham, |
| all the trimmings. "Niiii!". | | | | Buckinghamshire) |
| 3. Fountains Abbey (Fountains Ripon, N. Yorkshire) | | | | This is a picnickers dream - with over forty |
| A treat for the whole family! Borrow monks' robes | | | | monuments, temples and secret nooks to explore |
| on site and join the "It's a monk's life" tour of this | | | | you are guaranteed to find a secluded spot that suits |
| World Heritage Site. | | | | your taste. The banks of the Octagon Lake near |
| 4. Stourhead (Near Mere, Wiltshire) | | | | Palladian Bridge are a particular favourite. |
| Wander through the renowned landscape garden and | | | | 9. Dinefwr Park & Castle (Llandeilo, |
| enjoy your picnic by the lake with a backdrop of | | | | Carmarthenshire) |
| temples and rare trees. If you're feeling energetic | | | | A medieval castle, a park with deer, and bog woods |
| after lunch, climb King Alfred's Tower and enjoy the | | | | - now that's what I call picnic perfect! Newton House, |
| magnificent view. | | | | dating back to 1660, is open Thursday-Monday |
| 5. Avebury (Near Marlborough, Wiltshire) | | | | throughout the summer. |
| This is one of Europe's most impressive prehistoric | | | | 10. Morden Hall (Morden, Surrey) |
| stone circles - it even predates Stonehenge! | | | | This proves that you don't have to go far from |
| Speculate about what the site was originally used | | | | London to feel as though you have! Explore meadow, |
| for... and walk where centuries of lovers have walked | | | | wetlands, waterways and an exquisite Rose Garden. |
| before you. If you're feeling didactic, there's an | | | | The latter is in bloom all summer and holds over 2000 |
| interactive museum to enjoy. | | | | plants. |