Is there anything more quintessentially British than having a picnic?! And is there any better place to have a picnic than South Devon – we don’t think so! The trouble is, there’s so many beautiful places to explore in Devon, it can be difficult to know where to start! Famous for its incredible landscape from the stunning coastline, to the rolling hills of Dartmoor and beyond all offer the perfect spot for a tasty al fresco bite to eat!
Below we will share with you a selection of our personal handpicked picnic spots in South Devon, that we just happen to think are the best!
Cockington
As soon as you set foot in Cockington Country park you are transported to an idyllic and picturesque countryside scene. The historic village is full of thatched cottages, and the Cockington Estate boasts a 450-acre country park, complete with lakes and ornamental gardens.
There are many spots in which to picnic but we think setting up outside the cricket green overlooking the country house is hard to beat! After eating all that food why not walk it off by enjoying the five-mile woodland trek through Scadson Woods towards Occombe Farm in Paignton.
Haldon Forest
Haldon Forest Park on the outskirts of Exeter is made up of 3,500 acres of woodland with miles and miles of footpaths to explore. Trails include the butterfly trail which has more than 30 species recorded in the area including many of the UK’s rarest varieties, the all-ability discovery trail, the raptor trail exploring different parts of the forest and the tree trail taking you under some of the tallest trees into Buller’s Hill quarry and offering great views of Dartmoor.
Plymouth Hoe
A short walk from the city centre of Devon’s largest city isn’t somewhere that you would necessarily expect to find a great picnic location, but Plymouth Hoe is a really good picnic spot. It offers a large amount of open green space and the views from Plymouth Hoe are simply breath-taking (you can even enjoy these from our property Elliot terrace). From this high vantage point, you can see across Plymouth Sound and out to Drake Island. There is always interesting activity in the Hoe, with naval boats and leisure craft to watch. The beautiful and iconic lighthouse at Smeaton’s Tower stands guard over the water and provides a great backdrop to photos.
South Milton Sands
If it’s a picnic on the beach you’re after this is the place to come. The beach itself is a long sweep of golden sand and rock pools, with crystal clear waters and iconic rock archway, Thurlestone Rock, that sticks out of the sea. You can take the coastal footpath and fields and lanes just inland to the villages of Thurlestone and Hope Cove, through a nature reserve, past beaches and thatched cottages. However South Devon has an abundance of naturally beautiful beaches, so if you choose to picnic on any them, we are sure that you won’t be disappointed.
Greenway
Described ‘the loveliest place in the world’, Greenway was the beloved holiday home of Agatha Christie and her family. There are a few walks that lead you through some of the more secluded areas of the grounds and it is a good route for a relatively sheltered walk, taking in woodland, flowering plants and the crème de la crème the views over the River Dart. Everything about this location screams Devon so why not have a cream tea as your picnic!
Spitchwick, Dartmoor
Spitchwick is a beautiful forest clearing on the banks of the River Dart on Dartmoor. It can be extremely crowded in the height of the Summer, so we would recommend late Spring or early Autumn to enjoy the area. The soft grass is perfect for picnics, ball games and relaxing. This is a place which makes you feel calm as you listen to the rippling of the river and the rustling of the trees. The river pools consist of both deep and shallow water, as well as a natural water shoot to splash under if you’re feeling really adventurous.
Plymbridge Woods
The River Plym snakes down a delightful wooded valley, with many interesting trees, and attractive reminders of the area’s industrial heritage. There are lots of trails to follow in the woods, and the spectacular viaduct is worth a look. The best place for a picnic is beside a pretty forest clearing on the west side of the river. There is a large grass area here which sits beside a shallow stretch of the river if you fancy a paddle.
Labradoor Bay
Labrador Bay is the name of nature reserve near Shaldon. It is particularly popular with bird spotters as you can sometimes see Peregrine Falcons and Buzzards. If you park at the car-park on the coast road between Torbay and Shaldon, you can walk down to some lovely picnic spots. The views from here are spectacular, with Torbay in one direction and Lyme Bay in the other. There is a little
ice-cream van which always seems to be parked in the car-park as well, in case you want to finish off your picnic with a sweet treat.
Thatchers Point, Torquay
To get the best possible land view of the rock, you need to go up Isham Marine Drive close to Meadfoot Beach. The biggest of the rock islands off Torquay Thatchers Rock stands at 45m high and there is even a beach, but the beach is 25 foot above today’s sea level, this is because of an Ice Age over 2 million years ago. The rock is inhabited today by an abundance of sea birds and a seal colony. You will be amazed at the beauty of this scenic area it is a great walking area and you’ll be truly impressed at the view of the rock. The cliffs are steep, so great care needs to be taken if you decide to explore. The whole area is very special and it has a mystical and magical feel to it. We recommend having a sunset picnic it is truly special.
