Picnic paradise in and around Ashford

Welcome to September! Who else is hoping it might bring an Indian summer to extend the picnic season?

Situated at the heart of Ashford, Victoria Park has recently had an upgrade and now boasts new play park equipment, a bike track and café alongside the existing water fountain. The edge of the park also offers a lovely walk along the River Stour, and there is lots of grassy space to settle down for a picnic, as long as you don’t mind being overrun by children and dogs!

The Warren Nature Reserve on the outskirts of Ashford has gigantic trees, sandy cliff faces and ponds teeming with frogs. Even Highland Cattle graze there in the summer! The woodland has multiple trails you can follow, and you’ll find a lovely high clearing at the bottom of the woods which is a great spot for a picnic. Have a look for DIY swings hanging from some of the larger trees too.

Close to the Singleton Environment Centre, you’ll find Singleton Lakes and Ashford Community Woodland. The lake and streams are very picturesque, and you might find people fishing there. The woodland is accessible from the Environment Centre so you can pick up a coffee on your way. There is a field with a couple of ponies to say hello to and spaces in the wild grass to set up your picnic station for an afternoon.

Beaches

If you hop on the steam train at Hythe you’ll be taken to the coast where you can settle down with a picnic on Dymchurch Beach, one of the sandy beaches or on a shingle beach like Greatstone Beach. Fish and chips are always a winning picnic substitute, and you can grab a takeaway from The Pilot in Dungeness.

Hamstreet Woods Nature Reserve

is a lovely place for a woodland picnic with stunning views. You’ll find well placed wooden benches around the outskirts of the woodland, with views across the countryside, all the way to Romney Marsh and Dungeness.

If you want to elevate your picnic experience, Biddenden Vineyards gives you the opportunity to taste local wines amidst the backdrop of vine-covered landscapes. Instead of taking your own picnic, you can order a locally sourced, gourmet food hamper from the Vineyard.

Kennington and Wye

If you’re looking for somewhere to pick up some picnic snacks, Williams and Thomas is a delightfully quaint tearoom in Kennington, close to Orchard Farm, that sells delicious take away pastries and cakes. Just a few miles away, near to the village of Wye, Perrycourt Farm sells take away afternoon teas plus a huge variety of tasty treats, and you can buy a Romney Marsh Romney Marsh wool picnic blanket from there too. You might end up buying more than you went in for but it’s all fresh and local – and we love that!

You have until the end of September to enjoy a picnic surrounded by the most stunning gardens and hedges at Doddington Place Gardens, a Victorian manor located between Faversham and Sittingbourne.

In Canterbury, just a short train ride away from Ashford, is Westgate Gardens part of Westgate Parks. The ornamental garden is the perfect backdrop for a picnic next to the River Stour where you can watch people floating past on a river cruise.

The grounds that surround Eastwell Manor are a delight to walk around, with views of the Wye Crown. Not only does the hotel organise a delicious spread of picnic delights, but they also offer complimentary pickups from Ashford train station so you can enjoy a tipple or two!

Orchard Farm Kent Ltd
Office 43
Regus Building 2
Guildford Business Park Road
Guildford
Surrey GU2 8XG

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