Did you know July is officially National Picnic Month across the UK? I bet you know as well as we do that here in Daffodilshire we’re spoilt for choice when it comes to beautiful spots to spread a blanket. So, as picnic season gets underway, we share five lovely locations you can reach via the Daffodil Line. Here’s to a summer of lovely picnics, travelling by bus!
The Walled Garden, Church Lane, Ledbury
Just moments away from Ledbury High Street, and a few minutes’ walk along the famous cobbled Church Lane, The Walled Garden offer a lovely, enclosed space to escape the hustle and bustle of the town centre and to stop for a picnic. The Ledbury Walled Garden is a tranquil, scenic spot next to St. Michael and All Angels Church. There are plenty of benches and seating areas in this pretty and well cared for space maintained for public enjoyment. The Walled Garden is close to some of the town’s well known heritage sites including the 16th-century Painted Room and the Butcher Row House Museum.
Thomas Blake Memorial Garden, Wye Street, Ross-on-Wye
The Thomas Blake Memorial Garden is just a few moments’ walk from the centre of Ross-on-Wye. Head past ‘The Man of Ross’ pub, along Wye Street to find the gardens. The terraced garden area offers a peaceful place to take a break from the busy town centre, with lovely views. The memorial gardens were established in memory of Thomas Blake and feature a variety of herbs, flowers and shrubs, making it an ideal spot for relaxation. There are a number of different benches situated at different levels within the terrace overlooking the Wye river. And the well maintained gardens are a haven for birds; the sparrows may fly down to seek out any crumbs while you enjoy your picnic!
Newent Arboretum, Bradfords Lane, Newent
This nine-acre site is planted with trees and shrubs of mixed varieties that provide year-round interest and beautiful displays of Spring and Autumn colours. There is grassed open space where you can enjoy a family picnic, fly a kite or play hide and seek among the trees. Created in 2000 as part of the national Millennium celebrations, over 5,000 trees and shrubs were planted while local residents sponsored the installation of benches and additional feature trees. From Newent Lakes bus stop it is about a 22-minute walk, head up to the High Street, turn right and take the first left along Watery Lane, walk up Watery Lane until you reach Bradfords Lane on your right. You can also access it from Bradfords Lane off the B4215.
Kilcot Green Picnic Area, Briery Hill Lane, Kilcot
Kilcot Green Picnic Area is a hidden gem; a little picnic area tucked away just moments away from the 232 bus stop. This is a handy picnic place to link in with a walk through Kilcot Wood and Acorn Wood. A good place to alight from the bus for a walk in these lovely woods is at the junction of Wood Lane and the B4221. You can make a loop walk encompassing Kilcot Wood, Acorn Wood and end up at Briery Hill Lane for the picnic area. Here you can catch the bus at the end of the lane in the Ross-on-Wye direction. Take extreme care if crossing the road to the bus stop for the Newent/ Ledbury direction on the other side.
The Lake, Dymock Woods
The lake at Dymock Woods is a beautiful and peaceful place to spot wildlife and enjoy being near the water. There are a couple of different benches located around the edge of the lake where you can rest weary legs and have a nite.
From Jay’s Green bus stop walk along the road with the Ross-on-Wye Golf Club on your left and after about five minutes enter the woods at a main entrance where there is a small car park area. The lake in the woods is about a 45-minute walk from the bus stop. Follow the main Forestry track for about half an hour continuing past the path on the right that passes under the motorway (to Hay Wood Campsite). Continue along the main Forestry track to the next main turn on the right that leads you to the lake.
* Please enjoy picnics responsibly and always take any rubbish with you, to take care of people and nature; leave no trace.
