National Trust reveals top 10 picnic spots for 'food with a view'

Rock star: Kynance Cove in Cornwall offers beautiful sandy beaches and dramatic cliff walks


The National Trust is trying to encourage more and more people to get outdoors whatever the weather this summer by unveiling its top 10 spots with great views.

Fountains Abbey in Yorkshire and Tennyson Downs on the Isle of Wight are two of the picturesque spots that make it in to the top ten of 'food with a view' sites.

The National Trust top picnic spots have views which range from rolling hills to mountains and coasts, gardens and historic buildings.

And to persuade people not to wait until the summer before packing up the picnic hamper and heading out for al fresco dining, the trust is producing a range of seasonal 'food on the go' recipes - including stews and soups for flasks.


Natural high: Box Hill boasts stunning views over the picturesque Surrey countryside


The efforts to encourage people to get into the great outdoors comes as a poll revealed that while more than nine out of 10 families said they loved eating outdoors, more than half were put off by unpredictable weather.

Other concerns voiced by parents were worries about wasps and insects, feeling restricted about where they were allowed to eat outdoors, finding it hard to create varied meals to eat outside and getting dirt and sand in their food.


Making a splash: The picnic areas in Fell Foot Park feature views of Lake Windermere and beyond


Fiona Reynolds, director general of the National Trust, said: 'Picnics are something we're well known for in this country, but we don't need to wait for the summer sun to arrive.

'Spring is finally here and we have our extra hour's daylight - it's a great time of year to head outdoors and enjoy food with a view.

'Spending more time outside is also the perfect way to refresh and re-energise both body and mind.'

The top 10 picnic spots chosen by the National Trust are:

Kynance Cove, Cornwall
Stourhead, Wiltshire
Box Hill, Surrey
Tennyson Downs, Isle of Wight
Dunwich Heath, Suffolk
Croome, Worcestershire
The Kymin, Monmouth
Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal, North Yorkshire
Fell Foot, Cumbria
Florence Court, Northern Ireland


source: dailymail