10 Best Places for a Picnic

Parks, Country Parks and Unusual Places

Mote Park

This is a great place for a picnic and there are three particularly good spots. 

1. Near the café, this is where the children’s play area is located.  This is especially good if you have little ones who need to be active and entertained.  It’s close proximity to the car park is also very useful and toilets are close by.
2. Walk past the café along the tarmac track and take the left-hand fork in the path.  This is a much quieter area and there are some platforms where you can sit right on the lake.  These platforms are all the way around the lake, but this specific location is particularly peaceful.
3. Walk down the hill towards the lake and pass the Old Boat House on your right.  Keep walking until you reach Mote Park Water Sports Centre.  There is a lovely grassy bank which slopes gently down to the water.  There is lots of space and beautiful views of the park and lake.  There are also toilets on the top of the bank.

Cobtree Manor Park

A great picnic can be had in Cobtree Manor Park and there are some rather nice choices here too.

1. A popular choice here is to sit in the shade under a tree around their adventure play equipment.  The particularly good thing here is that there is approximately one tree for every family.  Their wonderful adventure play equipment is suitable for slightly older children and the fort is wonderful for those that are younger.  There is a café for ice creams and the toilets are close by.
2. The Llama House is a little-known spot in the park but it’s quiet and there are picnic benches and a walled garden, which used to be the walls to the Llama House.  You can find the spot if you walk from the car park, up the hill and through the gateway past the Elephant House, to the top of the hill.  Continue along the main pathway, with a slight incline for about 250 metres and keep a look out to the right.  You will see it sheltering in the trees.  This is a peaceful spot backing on to the golf course.

Brenchley Gardens

These can be found behind Maidstone Museum.  It is a nice municipal park with neatly mown lawns and flower beds.  It is close to the shops and main services, so is very convenient.  Sometimes there is music on the bandstand, which can add to the pleasant atmosphere.

Maidstone River Park

The Maidstone River Park in central Maidstone and is a lovely small area to settle.  Head towards Fairmeadow and under the underpass towards the river.  Turn right and there is a short stretch of grassy bank.  This is a nice spot to sit outside and watch the river's comings and goings.

Rural Parks

White Horse Wood Country Park

This is a park with a phenomenal view, which stretches right across the county to the south and into the Weald of Kent.  From the car park take the main track to the south, cross the wide gravel track and keep walking straight in front of you until you see the view.  This is open access land, and you can choose where to sit to take in a breath-taking view.  This is a fantastic place to fly a kite and if the wind is in the right direction, you can watch the paragliders rise and fall on the thermals.

Teston Country Park

This is a lovely rural park right next to the River Medway and the Lock at Teston.  It also has a picturesque Medieval bridge.  There is a café and toilets but sadly since 2018 you can no longer have a barbeque, as there was a problem with littering and people not taking enough care.  However, it remains a great place for a picnic and has a superb place to fly a kite.

Yalding Lees

Parking can be a bit difficult here but from the Medieval Bridge, with traffic lights, head along the river and there is a wide grassy area called Yalding Lees.  It is filled with wildflowers during the early summer, and you can sit in a peaceful spot next to the River. Please do not swim in the river here as it is not safe. Please note barbecues/fires are not allowed.

Hucking Estate

There is plenty of room here to have a picnic.  It is a great place for a walk and either carry your picnic with you or leave it in the car until you return.

Unusual Places

Sutton Valence Castle

This site is owned by English Heritage and it’s a delightful location to explore.  Just in front of the main ruin is a large flat area, which is great for a picnic in this historic location. While you are there, you can explore the ruined castle before or after your lunch.

Headcorn Aerodrome

Parking at the airfield is free.  You just pull in and there is a wide grassy field next to the runway which is used for events.  Provided there are no events on, visitors are welcome to come along and watch the coming and goings on the airfield.  Here you can have your picnic, watch the light aircraft take off and land, watch the parachutists glide down and if you are very lucky there might even be a Spitfire take-off or landing.  There is a café for teas and coffees, toilets and a rather interesting museum called Lashenden Air Warfare Museum.  Sometimes they also do hangar tours of the fabulous aircraft inside.

Self-Drive Private Hire Cruisers

This is a lovely choice for a picnic.  You can bring your picnic aboard and go and explore the River Medway.  You can stop wherever you choose, in a sunny spot, near lock, with other boaters.  It’s a great day out and offers a good choice of picnic spots along the way.

As with all picnicking, please take all your litter home with you along with your memories and photographs and leave nothing behind except for your footprints.