Picnic spots around Wiltshire

There is little nicer than a picnic on a warm summer day. If you bring your sandwiches, there are plenty of places to choose from to picnic in Wiltshire, some with great views, some surrounded by wildlife. Here just a small selection.

The Temple of Apollo reflected in the lake at Stourhead, Wiltshire
Stourhead   Wiltshire

Picnic at Stourhead

Perhaps the most beautiful of all of the great 18th-century landscape gardens, Stourhead is tranquil place to sit, relax and immerse yourself in 300 years of history. Perfect for a socially-distanced picnic; don't forget to book ahead before visiting.

Pack your picnic
The lawns in the Botanic Garden at Lacock Abbey
Lacock   Wiltshire

Lacock garden

Lacock Abbey's grounds are a place to relax, explore and reconnect. Discover paths taking you to the rose garden and apple orchard and relax on the lawns with a picnic. Please be aware you will need to book ahead before visiting.

Picnic in the garden at Lacock
View of the topiary on the House Lawn at The Courts Garden, Holt
The Courts Garden   Wiltshire

Picnicking at The Courts Garden

Full of variety, this charming garden shows the English country style at its best. Peaceful water gardens and herbaceous borders, with organically shaped topiary, demonstrate an imaginative use of colour and planting, create unexpected vistas at The Courts Garden. Picnics are welcome in the arboretum only. Please be aware you'll need to book ahead before visiting.

Find out about The Courts Garden
Cley Hill
Cley Hill   Wiltshire

Cley Hill

This distinctive landmark near Longleat is rich in wildlife and archaeology with panoramic views of West Wiltshire and Somerset. You can even experience uninterrupted views of the sky from this locally famous UFO hotspot.

Find out more
Pepperbox Hill
Pepperbox Hill   Wiltshire

Picnic at Pepperbox Hill

Commanding the high point on the chalk ridge south-east of Salisbury, Pepperbox Hill is topped by an early example of a brick folly, with far-reaching views and rich natural heritage.

Visit Pepperbox Hill

Places to visit in the South West 

Find out which other places in the South West are open by county, and how to book to visit.

Find out where you can book to visit in the South West

Which places are open and what you need to know before you visit 

We’ve opened more than 130 gardens and parks in England, Wales and Northern Ireland through advanced booking. Tickets are released on Friday for the following week. More than 200 coast and countryside car parks are open across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Read this article to find out what's open and what to expect from your visit.

How to book your visit