Devon


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cockington-court-nr-torquay"><a href="https://cockingtoncourt.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cockington Court</a>, nr Torquay </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1125" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/06/cockington-aerial.jpg" alt="Cockington Court from the air" class="wp-image-66657" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/06/cockington-aerial.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/06/cockington-aerial-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/06/cockington-aerial-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/06/cockington-aerial-768x576.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Credit Cockington Court </figcaption></figure>



<p>With 450 acres of parkland to choose from, you won&#8217;t be short of green sward and mature trees under which to spread out your picnic blanket. Once you&#8217;ve topped up on lashings of ginger beer, there are artists studios, including a Devon chocolate maker, and a Sculpture Trail to peruse, as well as places to top up on ice-creams. Cockington Village is a thatched charmer, full of adorable houses which will have you scrolling Rightmove in no time.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-riverside-at-lynmouth"><a aria-label="Riverside at Lynmouth (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.visitilfracombe.co.uk/item/lynton-lynmouth/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Riverside at Lynmouth</a> </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1125" src="https://devon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/06/lynmouth.jpg" alt="Lynmouth riverside " class="wp-image-44528" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/06/lynmouth.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/06/lynmouth-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/06/lynmouth-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/06/lynmouth-768x576.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/06/lynmouth-700x525.jpg 700w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Roll out your rug by the glorious River Lyn &#8211; when the sun shines, there&#8217;s no better sun trap. Once you&#8217;ve had your fill of vittles, there is much to explore in this step-back-in-time part of the North Devon coast, from the stunning gorge, to a clifftop walk with the goats along the Valley of Rocks or a trip up to Lynton on the cliffside funicular rail. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dartmeet-nr-princetown"><a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Dartmeet (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.devonguide.com/dartmeet" target="_blank">Dartmeet</a>, nr Princetown</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="750" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/01/IMG_2278.jpg" alt="Dartmeet" class="wp-image-39317" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/01/IMG_2278.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/01/IMG_2278-300x225.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/01/IMG_2278-667x500.jpg 667w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/01/IMG_2278-768x576.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/01/IMG_2278-700x525.jpg 700w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Here, where the Dartmoor&#8217;s East and West River Dart meet is ancient, with a 14th century clapper bridge still just about in-tact. Were your lunch to be in keeping with the Medieval setting, then it&#8217;d be mead and gruel all the way, but a posh picnic here would taste way better, don&#8217;t you think?</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-knightshayes-court-tiverton"><a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Knightshayes Court (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/knightshayes/lists/picnic-spots-at-knightshayes" target="_blank">Knightshayes Court</a>, Tiverton</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1125" src="https://devon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/06/knightshayes.jpg" alt="Knightshayes " class="wp-image-44525" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/06/knightshayes.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/06/knightshayes-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/06/knightshayes-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/06/knightshayes-768x576.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/06/knightshayes-700x525.jpg 700w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>If you fancy mixing your picnic with some local grandeur, National Trust Knightshayes has oodles of options, all nicely spread-out, from rolling lawns to tucked-away benches among the woodlands, or among the dipping dragonflies by the pool. It&#8217;s formal but with lots of quirk, thanks to the topiary animals &#8216;leaping&#8217; along the hedges, and some plant retail therapy in the excellent little nursery where you can pick up unusual finds, like heritage toms.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-braunton-burrows-saunton-sands"><a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Braunton Burrows (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.northdevonbiosphere.org.uk/braunton-burrows.html" target="_blank">Braunton Burrows</a>, Saunton Sands</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1125" src="https://devon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/06/saunton-sands.jpg" alt="Saunton sands dunes " class="wp-image-44531" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/06/saunton-sands.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/06/saunton-sands-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/06/saunton-sands-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/06/saunton-sands-768x576.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/06/saunton-sands-700x525.jpg 700w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Tuck yourself out of the sea breeze among these ethereal dunes &#8211; all 1000 acres of them, one of the largest sand dune systems in the UK and a UNESCO designated Biosphere reserve, to boot. Scoff your sarnies, watch the bunnies dart about, play hide and seek with the kids or just snooze in the sun. If you fancy playing in the breakers, the Saunton Sands surf is just a quick scramble over the marram grass. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-homeyards-botanical-garden-shaldon"><a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Homeyards Botanical Garden (opens in a new tab)" href="https://shaldon-village.co.uk/activities/homeyards-botanical-gardens" target="_blank">Homeyards Botanical Garden</a>, Shaldon</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1125" src="https://devon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/06/homeyards.jpg" alt="Homeyards Botanic garden " class="wp-image-44524" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/06/homeyards.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/06/homeyards-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/06/homeyards-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/06/homeyards-768x576.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/06/homeyards-700x525.jpg 700w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>As names go, &#8216;botanical garden&#8217; is perhaps a <em>bit</em> of a stretch for this high-flung terrace above Shaldon, but it&#8217;s the perfect &#8216;secret&#8217; picnic spot only locals know. The glorious views over the Teign Estuary make it worth the uphill walk, and here you&#8217;ll find picnic tables, a pretty pond, some lovely old trees and a castle folly &#8211; and it&#8217;s all free entry. If you&#8217;re nosey like me, do read the signboards for the lowdown. Apparently, the garden was created by Maria ‘Laetitia’ Kempe Homeyard in the 1930s, the widow of a wealthy inventor who made something called Liqufruta cough syrup. Curiousier and curiouser&#8230;and free to visit.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lydford-gorge-tavistock"><a aria-label="Lydford Gorge (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/lydford-gorge/features/summer-picnics-and-wildlife-at-the-gorge" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lydford Gorge</a>, Tavistock</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1333" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/08/IMG_4658.jpg" alt="Lydford Gorge " class="wp-image-68465" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/08/IMG_4658.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/08/IMG_4658-600x800.jpg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/08/IMG_4658-750x1000.jpg 750w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/08/IMG_4658-768x1024.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>The south-west&#8217;s deepest gorge, complete with a stunning 30m-high waterfall is perfect for delivering natural drama and a stomp along the River Lyd, maybe with a spot of wildlife and botanising. Head to the orchard by the Devil&#8217;s Cauldron entrance to unleash the picnic blanket, or roll out your blanket over by Lydford Castle, then pop into the pub opposite for a pint when the wasps get too much. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-obelisk-haldon-forest-mamhead"><a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="The Obelisk (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.forestryengland.uk/mamhead" target="_blank">The Obelisk</a>, Haldon Forest, Mamhead</h2>



<p>A popular dog-walking spot, this viewing point is a fab place to chow down on your picnic while enjoying the 180-degree vista all the way from Exeter to your left, along the Exe Estuary and out to sea. It&#8217;s just a 10-minute flat walk from the car park, and if you track behind the viewing point, you&#8217;ll find the 40-foot pillar that gives the place its name.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-vire-island-totnes"><a href="https://www.visittotnes.co.uk/see-and-do/attractions/totnes-bridge/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Vire Island (opens in a new tab)">Vire Island</a>, Totnes</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1125" src="https://devon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/06/vire-island.jpg" alt="Vire Island " class="wp-image-44537" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/06/vire-island.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/06/vire-island-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/06/vire-island-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/06/vire-island-768x576.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/06/vire-island-700x525.jpg 700w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Another locals&#8217; gem right on the water at the bottom of Totnes High Street &#8211; Vire Island is a leafy 2-acre peninsula perfect for a quiet rumination with a homemade picnic and an Italian coffee from The Curator.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-trenchford-and-tottiford-reservoirs-bovey-tracey-dartmoor"><a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.visitdartmoor.co.uk/get-active/the-best-dartmoor-walks/trenchford-and-tottiford-reservoirs" target="_blank">Trenchford and Tottiford Reservoirs</a>, Bovey Tracey, Dartmoor </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1125" src="https://devon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/06/trenchford.jpg" alt="Trenchford Reservoir " class="wp-image-44541" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/06/trenchford.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/06/trenchford-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/06/trenchford-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/06/trenchford-768x576.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/06/trenchford-700x525.jpg 700w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Stuff your rucksack full of goodies and head to this beauty spot near Bovey, a series of circular reservoirs, complete with mini beaches and smooth boulders to spread out your blanket in the (fingers crossed) sunshine. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-meadfoot-beach-torquay"><a href="https://www.englishriviera.co.uk/things-to-do/meadfoot-beach-p335383" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Meadfoot Beach (opens in a new tab)">Meadfoot Beach</a>, Torquay</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1125" src="https://devon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/06/meadfoot-huts.jpg" alt="Meadfoot Beach huts " class="wp-image-44544" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/06/meadfoot-huts.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/06/meadfoot-huts-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/06/meadfoot-huts-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/06/meadfoot-huts-768x576.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/06/meadfoot-huts-700x525.jpg 700w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Swerve touristy Torbaydos for this locals&#8217; paddleboard and rock-pooling spot at Meadfoot. It&#8217;s pebbly underfoot so bring a thick blanket or head to the far end for views back over the beach and the double-decker blue beach chalets. You can park right opposite if you&#8217;re lucky, or leave the car at leafy Wellswood and enjoy the short walk and a nosey at the posh houses down the hill.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-exe-estuary-trail"><a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="The Exe Estuary Trail (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.sustrans.org.uk/find-a-route-on-the-national-cycle-network/exe-estuary-trail" target="_blank">The Exe Estuary Trail</a></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1125" src="https://devon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/06/IMG_5532.jpg" alt="Exe Estuary Trail " class="wp-image-44547" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/06/IMG_5532.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/06/IMG_5532-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/06/IMG_5532-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/06/IMG_5532-768x576.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/06/IMG_5532-700x525.jpg 700w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Pop a packed lunch in your pannier and cycle the route between Exeter and Dawlish and you&#8217;ll find plenty of waterside picnic perches, where you cool your toes in the canal and watch the swans, walkers and cyclists glide by. You can also take the little ferry across to Topsham if you fancy a jaunt around some lovely indie stores and galleries.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-meldon-viaduct-circuit"><a href="https://visitdartmoor.co.uk/get-active/the-best-dartmoor-walks/the-meldon-viaduct-circuit/">Meldon Viaduct Circuit</a></h2>



<p>This four-mile circular walk, follows an ancient green lane and former railway line, and has lots of lovely paths off it down to streams and places to rest including an old quarry building and lime kiln. Marvel at the Victorian engineering of the viaduct and amazing views of Dartmoor while enjoying an al fresco bite.</p>



<p><strong>Your fave spot not in here? (I know, I missed out Spitchwick!!) Don&#8217;t be shy. Let us know where you like to picnic in the comments below.</strong></p>


12 pukka places to park your picnic

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