The Art of Picnicking


Man helping woman off some rocks while holding a picknick basket on the beach at high tide

For many people, picnics conjure up nostalgic memories of endless summers, lashings of ginger beer and adventures. But creating the perfect picnic is an art in itself โ€“ thereโ€™s far more to it than sitting outside with your sandwiches. Here are our top tips to making your picnic memorable for all the right reasons.

Plan your picnic

The key to a successful picnic is often in the preparation, so think about what youโ€™ll need in advance. Thereโ€™s nothing worse than turning up at a beautiful spot with a basket full of goodies to find youโ€™ve forgotten the cutlery. Try and travel as light as possible though โ€“ you donโ€™t want to be weighed down by it all.

Enjoy smorgasbord of Cornish food and drink

When in Cornwallโ€ฆ Treat yourselves to a range of locally produced food and drink and enjoy an al fresco feast. Choose from a range of cheeses including Cornish Blue, yarg and brie, Baker Tomโ€™s bread, olives, hummus, cold meats, pasties, smoked salmon or crab sandwiches, pate, chutney and moreโ€ฆ

For a sweet treat, pick up some saffron buns or freshly baked scones, homemade jam and clotted cream for a traditional cream tea. Opt for Cornish pressed apple juice, sparkling elderflower or a flask of Cornish tea to accompany it, or if you prefer, perhaps something bubbly from Camel Valley vineyard.

Choose your spot

Think about where you want to go in advance, rather than leaving it to chance on the day. Do you want to be by the sea (if so, donโ€™t forget to add swimwear to the list), or would you prefer to picnic in the woods?

If youโ€™re planning on taking the dog to the beach with you, check whether thereโ€™s a seasonal dog ban. Itโ€™s also worth finding out the tide times, as some beaches disappear completely at high tide.

Outdoor games and activities

Picnics are great for bringing everyone together. Play Frisbee or rounders, have a go at quick cricket or start a sandcastle building competition.

Five picnic essentials

– A rug to sit on (preferably one with a waterproof backing).

– A picnic hamper. Whether you favour an old school wicker basket or a modern rucksack style bag with a
built-in cool pack, keeping everything together is key.

– Sunscreen (plus jumper or a waterproof if the weatherโ€™s changeable).

– A corkscrew, bottle opener, a sharp knife and a pack of wet wipes are all useful.

– Something to play with โ€“ take a football, a Frisbee, or a kite.

Top picnic spots in Cornwall

There are so many amazing spots to choose from we couldnโ€™t possibly list them allโ€ฆ Here are a few of our favourites.

Porthluney (Caerhayes)
Just 20 minutesโ€™ drive from Bosinver, Porthluney is a sheltered, south-facing sandy beach on the Roseland ideal for family picnics.

Godrevy
Whether you choose to picnic among the sand dunes or find a special spot on the long sandy beach, Godrevy is quite simply, spectacular.

Kynance Cove
With its dramatic rocky outcrops, golden sand and turquoise waters, Kynance Cove is one of the most memorable locations in Cornwall, and itโ€™s been a popular picnic spot since Victorian times. Enjoy picnicking on the beach when the tideโ€™s out or up on the cliffs where you can drink in the view.

Porth Joke
Porth Joke (or Polly Joke, as itโ€™s known locally) is a pretty cove located between Crantock and Holywell, near Newquay. The nearest car park is half a mile away (a lovely stroll along the coast path), so it can feel as though youโ€™ve stumbled upon your own secret beachโ€ฆ

Minack Theatre, Porthcurno
Perched on the edge of the cliffs at Porthcurno, the Minack is Cornwallโ€™s world-famous outdoor theatre, hewn from the rocks. Watch the sun go down over the water from your seats and enjoy a picnic in the interval, or go down early and make the most of the magnificent beach.

Where’s your top picnic spot in Cornwall? We’d love to hear yourย thoughts – leave a message below, post on our Facebook page or tweet @Bosinver and share your favourites.

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Action Nan and the rest of the team are always busy writing posts that we think you’ll like – from top tips on where to take the kids, to what’s likely to be going on in the local area when you stay – we’ve got it all in our blog!