Picnic baskets at the ready because we have gathered 10 of the best places to enjoy a picnic in stunning rural Kent

The map below is pinned with all 10 of the picnic sites:

Shorne Woods Country Park

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Shorne Woods Country Park

Pack a picnic and head for Shorne Woods Country Park where you can truly immerse yourself in nature. With nearly 300 acres of stunning and ancient woodland, meadows and wetlands that date back as far as 12,000 years, there is plenty to explore before picking a tranquil spot and tucking into your homemade picnic.

The park is open 9am until dusk or 9pm. Parking is £2 a day on weekdays and £3 on weekends and bank holidays.

View across Lullingstone Park, Eynsford, UK

Lullingstone Country Park

The rolling Kentish hills and stunning countryside are at your fingertips when you visit Lullingstone Country Park. Originally part of the grounds of Lullingstone Castle, this park is made up of ancient trees (some as old as 800 years) and picturesque meadowland that bursts alive with wildflowers in the warmer months. Settle down in an open meadow with a blanket and picnic, and just relax and listen to the birds sing.

The park is open 8am until dusk or 9pm. Parking is £1.50 per day on weekdays and £2.50 on weekends and bank holidays.

Brockhill Country Park

Brockhill Country Park

Teeming with flora and fauna, Brockhill Country Park is a peaceful oasis in the heart of Kent that makes it the perfect picnic spot. The hub of the park is the river and lake in the centre, so pick a patch of grass by the riverbank and observe the workings of nature firsthand. With so much wildlife to see, animal and plant lovers will be in their element at Brockhill.

The park is open 9am until dusk or 9pm. Parking is £1.50 per day on weekdays and £2.50 on weekends and bank holidays.

Trosley 1128

Trosley Country Park

Those familiar with the Kent countryside will know the beauty of the North Downs. Located in the heart of the Downs is Trosley Country Park - the woodland and chalk downland that used to be the Trosley Towers Estate. You can bring the dog along and follow one of the three walking trails that will lead you to the most beautiful parts of the park before picking a spot to settle down for your picnic.

The park is open 8.30am to dusk or 8.30pm. Parking is £1.50 per day on weekdays and £2.50 on weekends and bank holidays.

Grove Ferry Picnic Site

Grove Ferry Picnic Site

Experience river life at the Grove Ferry Picnic Site: it’s a great stop off point on a walk or to take a boat ride along the River Stour before settling by the side of the river to enjoy your picnic. If you are feeling adventurous, take a boat trip along the river which starts at the Grove Ferry Inn. You can also go canoeing or dust off your fishing poles and make a day out of it.

The park is open 9am until dusk or 9pm. Parking is £1.30 per day on weekdays and £2 on weekends and bank holidays.

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Sandwich and Pegwell Bay National Nature Reserve

Known as a site of international importance because of its bird population, Sandwich and Pegwell Pay National Nature Reserve is a wonderful place to bring a picnic and while away a long afternoon, away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Bring your binoculars and a flask of your favourite drink and spot the birds, insects and flora that surround you at this peaceful reserve.

The reserve is open 9am until dusk or 9pm. Parking is £1.30 per day on weekdays and £2 on weekends and bank holidays. Sandwich Bay has a toll gate - £7 per car.

Penshurst Place

Penshurst Place Parkland

Walk through history at Penshurst Place by exploring the house, gardens and finally the vast parklands that envelop this old manor house. Bring your picnic along to enjoy the tranquil atmosphere of the ancient place. The cycle routes at Penshurst Place have been featured in the VisitEngland top 10 scenic cycle routes and the walks on offer are just as picturesque with the choice of either the parkland or riverside walk.

Check the website for opening times and admission prices.

Quex Park

Quex Park

The 250 acre Quex Park is part of the 1,800-acre estate and is made up of stunning parkland with trees that were planted in the 19th century. Pick a spot in the park to settle down for a picnic before exploring Quex House and Gardens too, once lived in by the eccentric Powell-Cotton family. The award-winning Powell-Cotton Museum is a great attraction to visit to round off your trip.

Quex Park is completely closed on Mondays, but visit the website for opening times from Tuesdays to Sundays.

Boardwalk

Lower Leas Coastal Park

Lower Leas runs along a section of the beautiful Kentish coastline and offers a range of pretty coastal spots to stop for a bite to eat. You can park up on the beach and enjoy your food as the kids play in the rock pools, see an outdoor play at the amphitheatre or take a cycle ride to burn off those post-picnic calories. With a plethora of flora blooming to life throughout the year, this is a beautiful spot to forget your woes and enjoy the healing sea air while tucking into some good food.

Folkestone train station is a 20 minute walk which is suggested as car parks may fill up during busy periods.

Botany Bay

Botany Bay

Stacks of chalk that were once part of larger cliffs make a dramatic and intriguing landscape at Botany Bay. Named after the Australian Botany Bay where smugglers caught on the English coast were deported, nowadays there remains a charm and allure to this part of the Kentish coast that makes it a wonderful spot to spend a weekend afternoon. Where better to enjoy a picnic than looking out over the sea with the famous White Cliffs in the distance?

NB: there is a dog ban from 1st May until 30th September between 10am and 6pm.

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