Perfect Picnic Spots

Pack your favourite treats, grab a blanket and head outdoors — Ashford and Tenterden are surrounded by beautiful countryside and peaceful green spaces that are perfect for a picnic. From picturesque gardens and woodland walks to open countryside with far-reaching views, discover some of the best spots to enjoy good food, fresh air and a little time to unwind.

Take in the views at the Wye Crown

For one of the most memorable picnic views near Ashford, head to the village of Wye and follow the short walk up towards the Wye Crown.

Carved into the hillside in 1902 to commemorate the coronation of King Edward VII, the crown overlooks the village and the surrounding countryside. It’s an excellent spot for a picnic with a view, particularly on a clear day when the Kent Downs stretch away around you.

Before heading uphill, pick up freshly made snacks or pastries from the village’s Coffee Shop and make your picnic part of a gentle countryside walk.

Go wild at the Devil’s Kneading Trough

If your idea of a perfect picnic involves dramatic scenery, the Devil’s Kneading Trough is hard to beat.

This impressive dry valley in the Kent Downs offers wonderful views and plenty of space to enjoy lunch surrounded by nature. It’s also a great place for a walk, wildlife spotting or simply finding a quiet patch of grass and watching the clouds roll over the hills.

Pack something delicious, bring a blanket and allow plenty of time to enjoy the landscape rather than rushing off after lunch.

Picnic beside the water at Conningbrook Lakes

Closer to Ashford, Conningbrook Lakes Country Park offers an easy-going setting for an outdoor lunch.

The lakes provide a lovely backdrop for a stroll before or after your picnic, while the surrounding open space makes this a particularly appealing option for families and anyone looking for somewhere close to town.

For an easy picnic pick-up, you could collect sandwiches or other takeaway treats in Ashford before heading to the lakes.

Make a day of it at Victoria Park

Right in Ashford, Victoria Park is ideal when you want a picnic without travelling into the countryside.

The 17-acre park includes the impressive Hubert Fountain, riverside walks and a memorial garden, with plenty of room to find your own spot.

It’s particularly good for families, as you can combine lunch with a wander around the park and let the children burn off some energy.

Escape into the woods at King’s Wood

For a picnic surrounded by ancient woodland, head towards Challock and King’s Wood.

The woodland has several circular walking routes and is especially magical in spring, when bluebells create carpets of colour beneath the trees.

Find a suitable place to stop along your walk, unpack your lunch and enjoy the peace and birdsong. Remember to take everything home with you and leave the woodland as you found it.

Enjoy a Tenterden picnic

Tenterden’s Recreation Ground is a straightforward choice for a relaxed picnic day. There’s a large grass area, picnic tables and benches, as well as a children’s play area, tennis courts and a football field.

The real advantage is that you can combine your picnic with a wander along Tenterden’s attractive, tree-lined High Street.

Follow the Royal Military Canal

For a picnic combined with a waterside walk, make your way towards the Royal Military Canal.

Stretching for 28 miles from the Hythe area through Romney Marsh and towards East Sussex, the canal provides a scenic route for walking and cycling, with plenty of opportunities to stop and enjoy the countryside.

This is a particularly good choice if you want your picnic to be part of a longer, slower day out.

Discover the Ashford Green Corridor

You don’t always need to leave town to find a peaceful picnic spot. The Ashford Green Corridor links parks, recreation grounds and green spaces alongside the town’s rivers.

Ashford Green Corridor offers the chance to combine a picnic with a gentle walk and some wildlife watching. It’s an ideal choice when you want fresh air and greenery without committing to a full countryside excursion.

Pick up a picnic from Perry Court Farm

If you want to make the food the star of the show, head to Perry Court Farm near Wye.

The farm shop is a great place to stock up on local produce, and the area's official tourism guide specifically recommends Perry Court Farm for its takeaway afternoon tea.

From there, you can head into the surrounding countryside and find your own scenic spot, perhaps combining your picnic with a visit to Wye and the Wye Crown.

Explore the villages around Tenterden

Some of the best picnic days begin with a little exploring.

The villages surrounding Tenterden and Ashford offer the classic Kent countryside combination of orchards, hop gardens, oast houses, woodland and rolling fields. The wider area sits between the Kent Downs and High Weald, providing plenty of opportunities for scenic walks and countryside views.

And wherever you go, remember the countryside code: take your rubbish home, respect wildlife, keep dogs under control where required and leave the landscape looking just as beautiful as you found it.