South Coast Picnic Spot 'One Of The Best'

28 March 2011, 12:35 | Updated: 28 March 2011, 12:37

A South Coast beauty spot has been named one of the best picnic sites in the UK.

The National Trust say Tennyson Downs on the Isle of Wight made their top 10 because it offers families 'food with a great view.'

The list of the best sites is part of a drive to encourage people to eat outdoors, whatever the weather.

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

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.

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.