Top 10s Top 10 rain-thwarting picnic spots

Date Published:

27/04/2009

The Great British summertime doesn’t always live up to its name. But there's no need to let that dampen your picnic plans. Alex Aspinall checked out Britain's top 10 indoor picnic locations

Picnic in winter

As the name suggests, Sheffield’s Winter Garden is the ideal indoor picnic location. This impressive glass structure offers the diner the opportunity to watch the rain cascading down, from the comfort of a perfectly dry seat, which is likely to be nestled amid the impressive range of tropical plants acting as the Winter Garden’s centrepiece.

In the hamper: A Yorkshire man’s bonfire night is not complete without a slice of parkin, but you don’t have to wait until then to enjoy this sweet gingery cake.

Feast like Thomas

One of York's most memorable days out comes in the guise of the impressive National Railway Museum. It’s guaranteed to put a smile on the kids' faces and, what's more, they've even provided indoor picnicking space - for if your journey on the miniature steam engine involves umbrellas and rain coats.

In the hamper: Famous train enthusiast Paddington Bear is a strong proponent of the marmalade sandwich, so why not take a leaf out of his book with this recipe.

Dinner by the docks

Waterfront areas around the country have gone through something of a renaissance in recent years. A huge amount of regeneration activity has seen the creation of some truly memorable urban spaces, with Liverpool’s Grade I listed Albert Dock being among the most impressive. And after you finish your feast, you’ll be perfectly positioned to make the most of the city’s impressive selection of tourist attractions.

In the hamper: Liverpudlians are famed for their love of a good butty, so you could try this tasty turkey club during your trip.

Ordering a la Carta

Reading the Magna Carta and strolling around one of the country’s finest medieval cathedrals can be a tiring process, so it's good to know that even if the weather stops you spreading out a blanket on the cathedral's impressive lawn, you'll still be able to find a spot within the grounds to refuel after your ecclesiastical excursion.

In the hamper: Indulge your sinful side by tucking in to these wickedly delicious chocolate slices.

Homemade picnic

There’s no place like home, and that is especially true when the ‘great’ British summertime serves to dampen your picnic plans. So instead of eating your sandwiches in the car looking out at a sodden field, why not save the petrol, lay out a blanket in the front room, and bring the outdoors indoors.

In the hamper: Since you can probably see your kitchen from your seat on the floor, you’ll be able to enjoy this steak bruschetta while it's still hot.

Going undercover

If you happen to find yourself in London’s Hyde Park having to quickly change your picnic plans due to the weather, fear not, because the park’s handy gazebos are ideally suited to solving this very specific problem. Make sure you are among the fastest feasters in the park though, because they've been known to fill up pretty quickly when the rain sets in.

In the hamper: It can be hard work stomping around the green expanse of Hyde Park, so why not bring your coolbox and enjoy this refreshing iced peach tea.

What's on his menu?

Drizzle need not dampen your trip to the zoo, at least during lunchtime. The well-prepared people at Chester Zoo have seen fit to provide the Arara Picnic Lodge, which serves as an indoor picnic area. And you don’t have to worry about straying too far from the action, as the lodge is conveniently located next to the jaguars. Probably best not to feed the animals though.

In the hamper: Don’t let the animals see you eating one of their own, try this minted new potato salad for lunch.

Project picnic

Cornwall’s Eden Project is now firmly established as one of the country’s must-see tourist attractions. Its numerous domes and incredible array of plant species will provide hours of interest and a beautiful backdrop for your picnic. Be sure to check out the Eden project shop too, as there are many items guaranteed to tempt the eco-minded foodie.

In the hamper: All things natural are the order of the day here, so why not enjoy the goodness of this simple rice salad.

A mammoth feast

As soon as you enter the Natural History Museum, and you come face-to-face with its enormous diplodocus, you know you're in for a treat. The dinosaurs will feed your desire for adventure and you'll find several spots dotted around the museum to enjoy a bite to eat before pushing on and staring in awe at the size of the museum's blue whale.

In the hamper: It's not quite what the dinosaurs would have eaten but they would probably have enjoyed this sun-dried tomato, garlic and parsley bread nonetheless.

Pass the salt deer

Any park boasting nine species of deer, a wide range of birds of prey, wolves, a treetop walkway with red squirrels, and native red foxes is bound to be a decent bet for the picnic-goer. And since the Scottish Deer Centre also has indoor and outdoor picnicking facilities, Britain’s unpredictable weather isn’t likely to totally ruin your day out either.

In the hamper: You’re likely to fall in love with the deer in the park so why not mark the occasion by taking these Queen of Hearts tarts with you.

Stuck in the city? Peruse these top 10 ideal urban picnic spots

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