The weather is nice – quick let’s have a picnic!
Now we are finally seeing some good weather, it’s time to dig out that basket, dust off your picnic blanket and make some butties, cos summer is here! (YorkMix cannot be held responsible if the weather now changes to hailstorms and blizzards.)
We’ve created a list of some of the best picnic spots in York. Whether you’re an avid al fresco connoisseur, or a picnic first timer, there is somewhere for everyone to enjoy…
Museum Gardens
We have to start in the spot that half the city heads for on a sunny lunchtime.
The beautiful ten-acre Museum Gardens are perfect for a homemade picnic. And if you don’t fancy making your own, the team behind No 8 Bistro on Gillygate has opened an in-park café the at the pavilion, serving al fresco treats all summer.
You can even hire a proper picnic blanket to sit on.
Deans Park
Situated behind the Minster, beautiful Deans Park is perfect for a nibble on a nice day. With such magnificent views of the cathedral, it is easy to sit back and watch the world go by away from the city hustle.
In the summer months there are cupcakes sold from a caravan and ice creams nearby too. And there a number of food shops and pubs near by if you fancy something more.
Homestead Park
Found off Water End in Clifton, Joseph Rowntree Foundation-run Homestead Park is home to lots of flowers and wildlife, along with a children’s play park.
With a wildlife guide, tree trail, wildflower meadow and picnic area it’s perfect for families.
And now you can get some grub from the York Explore pop-up café, which opened in May and will be there daily till October 30, 2016.
St Nicks
One of the greenest places in York, St Nicks is a hub of nature-friendly living.
With a children’s play park and 24 acres of land containing wildlife, fruit trees and family walks, it is the perfect spot for a picnic and a breath of fresh air.
There are also a number of volunteering events that you can take part in, which should also build up an appetite.
Hob Moor
Hob Moor is part of Knavesmire and one of York’s four local nature reserves. It is used for cattle grazing in summer and is home to various wildlife and birds.
A peaceful place for a picnic that brings you at one with nature and escape the city life. The large space of land is great for walking off those sausage rolls with a small footpath around the edge of the site.
Merchant Adventurers’ Hall
Dating back to 1357, the Merchants Museum is an amazing time capsule of history – and its small gardens are a nice city centre spot for a picnic.
It is also home to another York No 8 pop up café this summer, offering delicious homemade treats to enjoy while basking in the history and beauty of the hall.
York Cemetery
Sounds a bit morbid but York Cemetery is actually a tranquil, nature-lovers paradise. The 24 acres of land are filled with thousands of beautiful monuments and graves amongst the trees and overgrown brambles.
Nestled within the wild flowers and plentiful wildlife is a charming Grade II* listed chapel which is still in use. So if solitude and quiet is what you crave head down to Cemetery Road for a meander round the graveyard and a peaceful picnic.
Rowntree Park
A short riverside walk from the city centre, Rowntree Park is home to 20 acres of greenery that cry out for a picnic – just mind the geese!
The park has been awarded the Green Flag every year since 2004. It is also home to the rather wonderful Rowntree Park Reading Café, where you can find both cultural and tasty nourishment.
West Bank Park
To the west of York city centre, West Bank boasts a woodland park, a meadow picnic area and a basketball court.
Plans are underway to transform the old park-keeper’s lodge into The Backhouse, a heritage centre to celebrate the history of the James Backhouse Plant Nurseries, known as The Kew of the North.
With this there is plans for a café and community area, perfect for a family day out. See how you can help here.
Goddards House and Garden
Now owned by the National Trust this former Terry family home explains the story of the chocolate story while offering beautiful gardens and wildlife. It costs £6 per adult, £3 per child or £15 for a family ticket.
After your picnic there are a number of things to see and do including getting nostalgic with Hornby trains, play croquet, or even play chess in the beautiful drawing room of the house.
There is also a café serving drinks while the children play and a number of events on to watch out for, including talks on Terry’s women: the workers at the factory.
Millennium Bridge
The bicycle wheel bridge spanning the River Ouse offers a perfect spot to picnic on the riverbank, as well as a great meeting place to gather with friends from either side of the river and enjoy the views.
Or you could pick your picnic spot on either side of the river.
Rawcliffe Meadows and Clifton Ings
Rawcliffe Meadows and Clifton Ings are part of the floodplain to the north of York. Don’t let this put you off though – when river levels are normal they offer lovely walks and peaceful picnic spots.
There’s a range of plant, bird, animal and insect life, some of which is very rare due to the flooding landscape. Clifford Ings and Rawcliffe Ings run adjacent to the River Ouse and are left undeveloped, giving you an escape from the city and a chance to walk the dog, picnic, and explore peacefully.
Acomb Wood
York’s newest nature reserve, designated in 2007, comes complete with 10 acres of mixed woodland and ancient meadow. The circular walk around the woodland takes roughly 20-25 minutes and has many spots to stop off for a lovely picnic.
Old ridge and furrow suggest the some nature was planted in the 18th century. Now managed by the Woodland Trust it is found via Acomb Wood Drive in Woodthorpe.
Clifton Backies
Situated between Bootham Stray and Water Lane this local nature reserve has a number of surviving historic features from spanning from medieval times to old blast shelters from the Second World War.
On the Friends of Clifton Backies website you can download a guide and walk the Doug Herald Trail. There are two main possible walks, a shorter inner path about 30 minutes to walk, or a longer outer through meadows and woodlands.