A picnic is the perfect way to spend quality time with loved ones and enjoy good food.
Throw in some stunning locations, and it’s an excellent and inexpensive activity.
All that’s needed is a blanket, some tasty food and someone with you to try out these beautiful picnic spots in Dorset.
From family-friendly parks to rural natural spaces, there’s something everyone can enjoy.
Table of Contents
By The Lake: The Blue Pool
The Blue Pool in Wareham is a gem in Dorset. Nestled in the Purbeck Hills, it’s perfect for a serene picnic by the ever-changing water.
Visitors can enjoy walking through lush woodland and relax on benches with mesmerising views of the pool.
Children will love the fairy doors and squirrels hidden in the trees. For those who’ve forgotten their picnic, the charming Tearooms offer delicious food, while the Marine Gelato ice cream parlour serves authentic Italian Gelato.
📌 Good to Know:
- Free Parking
- Dog friendly
- BBQ’s not permitted
- Partly wheelchair accessible
📍 Furzebrook Rd, Wareham, Dorset BH20 5AR
By The Ruins: Sandsfoot Gardens
At Sandsfoot Gardens in Weymouth, visitors can enjoy a delightful picnic surrounded by history and nature.
This charming spot features stunning views of Portland Harbour, vibrant seasonal flowers, and an ornamental pond.
The gardens, which won the Green Flag award, embrace the ruins of Sandsfoot Castle, dating back to 1539. Originally built to defend against French invasions, the castle adds a historical touch to any visit.
Although the castle itself is closed to walk inside, the gardens are still a serene escape. The Sandsfoot Cafe, located at the entrance, serves delicious meals with a terraced area for dining.
📌 Good to Know:
- Free entry
- Cafe
- Toilets
- Partly wheelchair accessible
- On-street parking
📍 Weymouth DT4 8QE
By The Park: Poole Park
Poole Park is a stunning spot for a picnic. Located by Poole town’s beautiful harbour, it offers 110 acres of parkland, large play areas, a saltwater lagoon, and serene lakes.
Visitors love laying a blanket by the water, feeding the ducks, and enjoying homemade treats.
The park is also perfect for more active fun. Walk, run, or explore the park’s interactive features. You can even rent a sailing dinghy or pedalo from Rockley Watersports to enhance the day.
📌 Good to Know:
- Two large play parks
- Soft play centre
- Fitness trail
- Crazy golf
- Tennis courts
- Boating options
- Land train
- The Ark Café
- Scoops (ice cream parlour)
- The Kitchen (waterside restaurant)
- Free Parking
- Dogs allowed
- Wheelchair accessible
📍 Poole Pk, Poole BH15 1TU
By A Monument: The Hardy Monument and Black Down
The Hardy Monument, located at Black Down, offers stunning panoramic views, perfect for a memorable picnic. On clear days, you can see as far as Chesil Beach and the Jurassic Coast.
The monument, built in 1844, stands 72 feet tall and honours Vice-Admiral Sir Thomas Masterman Hardy.
Visitors can park at the new Black Down car park, which is free, and use the picnic benches crafted by architect Amanda Moore.
There are plenty of grassy areas near the monument, ideal for spreading out a blanket and enjoying a meal with friends and family.
For added fun, follow the paths leading to woodland areas or explore along the trails around the monument.
📌 Good to Know:
- Open Saturdays and Sundays
- Free car park
- Picnic benches
- Dogs on leads are welcome
- Partly wheelchair accessible
📍 Black Down, Portesham, Dorset, DT2 9HY
In The Gardens: Langmoor and Lister Gardens
Langmoor and Lister Gardens, located in Lyme Regis, are stunning spots for a picnic.
Visitors can enjoy breathtaking views stretching from the historic Cobb to the Jurassic Coast, spotting landmarks like Golden Cap and the Isle of Portland on clear days.
The gardens offer a serene setting with vibrant flowers, mature trees, and grassy areas perfect for laying out a picnic blanket. Scattered benches provide a place to relax and admire the surroundings.
Family-friendly activities such as outdoor table tennis and a mini-golf course add to the fun.
The woodland boardwalk offers relaxing strolls and is beautifully illuminated in the evenings with colourful lighting.
📌 Good to Know:
- Open everyday
- Free public access
- Table tennis
- Mini Golf
- Sculpture Trail
- Wheelchair accessible
- Dogs welcome
📍 Lyme Regis, DT7 3LQ
In A Meadow: Kingcombe Meadows
Nestled in the heart of Dorset, Kingcombe Meadows is a serene escape for picnickers. The nature reserve is a patchwork of vibrant, flower-rich fields, ancient hedgerows, and the soothing River Hooke.
Without modern agricultural practices, it thrives with wildlife.
Families can choose between picnic benches near the Kingcombe Visitor Centre or wander the meadow trails for a perfect spot. The river and bird songs provide a relaxing background.
Refuel at The Kitchen at Kingcombe Cafe if you need more picnic supplies, and take in the beautiful garden views.
Good to Know:
- Visitor Centre
- Cafe
- Picnic area
- Toilets
- Parking: Available at Kingcombe Visitor Centre
- Dogs on a lead are welcome
- Partly wheelchair accessible
📍 Kingcombe Meadows, Toller Porcorum, Maiden Newton, DT2 0EQ
In A Forest: Wareham Forest
Wareham Forest offers a mix of adventure and tranquillity, making it an ideal picnic spot.
The forest features miles of tracks winding through ancient landscapes, providing visitors with the chance to see unique wildlife like the Sika deer and charming Woodlarks.
This diverse habitat includes open heathland, woodlands, bogs, and streams, supporting a wide variety of plants and animals.
Sensitive grazing practices help maintain this biodiversity, so always keep a safe distance from grazing cattle and control dogs carefully.
The Sika Trail, a seven-mile route, is a popular choice for picnicking.
Visitors can enjoy lunch on provided benches or explore the signposted paths on foot or by bike.
Nearby, The Silent Woman pub and the eateries in Wareham offer refreshments and amenities.
📌 Good to Know:
- Wildlife
- Open all year round
- No on-site facilities
- Dogs are welcome
📍 Wareham BH20 7NX
In A Country Park: Durlston Country Park
Durlston Country Park is a picnic lover’s paradise! Located on Lighthouse Rd in Swanage, this lush park offers plenty of spots for enjoying the great outdoors.
The park is teeming with wildlife and vibrant wildflowers, especially in summer.
For a short stroll, head from the main car park to The Great Globe. Picnic benches and stone walls here provide an ideal spot to enjoy your meal with stunning sea views.
If you prefer a longer walk, take the South West Coast Path. This clifftop trail winds through meadows, perfect for spreading out a blanket and soaking in the scenery.
On particularly hot days, the shady pleasure grounds offer a cool retreat. Benches are available along the woodland paths, providing a serene setting for your picnic.
📌 Good to Know:
- Open all year
- Toilets
- Cafe
- Picnic Tables
- Dog-friendly areas
- Some wheelchair access
📍 Lighthouse Rd, Swanage BH19 2JL
On The Beach: Ringstead Bay
Nestled along the unspoilt Jurassic Coast, Ringstead Bay is a gem in West Dorset. The flower-covered cliffs and shingle beach create the perfect backdrop for a relaxing picnic.
Families can enjoy crystal-clear water, safe for bathing, and vibrant rock pools at low tide.
For those seeking adventure, ancient tracks lead down to the beach. You can also take a walk along the cliff tops for breathtaking views of Weymouth Bay and Portland.
Visitors can bring kites, explore rock pools, or simply relax by the water’s edge.
Sitting on a blanket on a sunny day and enjoying a hearty picnic makes for an unforgettable experience.
📌 Good to Know:
- National Trust members park for free
- Dogs on lead are welcome
- Toilets
- The Reef Cafe nearby
📍 Ringstead, Osmington, DT2 8NQ
On The Ledge: Dancing Ledge
If an adventurous picnic spot is what you seek, Dancing Ledge is the perfect choice.
Situated along the South West Coast Path in Swanage, this location offers stunning views of the Jurassic Coast.
The journey to the ledge includes scenic paths through green fields and rocky steps.
On the ledge itself, a flat rock shelf extends into the sea, providing a dramatic and picturesque backdrop.
Set a blanket on the ledge or the grassy areas nearby and enjoy your meal with the sound of crashing waves and a salty sea breeze.
For those feeling adventurous, take a dip in the tidal pool created by quarrymen in the early 1900s.
The surrounding coastal paths also offer opportunities for exploring hidden coves and wildlife encounters.
📌 Good to Know:
- Open everyday
- Wild swim spot (see more wild swim walks in Dorset here)
- Dogs on lead are welcome
- Steep, rocky paths
📍 South West Coast Path, Swanage BH19 3LD
On A Hillfort: Eggardon Hill
Nestled in Bridport, Eggardon Hillfort offers stunning 360-degree views across West Dorset and the Jurassic Coast.
Perfect for picnics, this Iron Age hillfort provides a unique blend of history and nature.
Visitors will enjoy kite flying, walking the ancient ramparts, or simply relaxing with a packed lunch.
The site is rich in wildflowers, especially vibrant in spring and early summer, attracting butterflies and various insects.
The National Trust manages the southern area. They ensure well-maintained footpaths and an inviting environment for visitors.
📌 Good to Know:
- Open daily
- Free entry
- Parking in lay-by at the bottom of the hill
- Well-behaved dogs welcome
- Uneven terrain
- No toilets
📍 Bridport DT6 3TG
