Did you know that it is National Picnic Week this month? Well, now you do! National Picnic Week runs in June every year and this year, the event falls from 19th until 27th June and is the perfect opportunity for getting out and about in North Devon and enjoying a good old fashioned picnic!

The team at the National Picnic Week have a whole host of tips to make your picnics perfect, but what could be better than enjoying a cream tea while taking in some of North Devon’s most beautiful spots? That’s why we thought we would give you an insight into five of our favourite places in the region to enjoy a picnic.

Eggesford Forest

Honestly, this is a good place to visit whether you’re picnicking or not. The forest has a host of trails and pathways linking the areas of woodland and you can join the Tarka Trail from there too by heading to Eggesford Station. Whether you’re planning a picnic or not, you’ll certainly have worked up an appetite once you’ve explored the various trails through the forest and you can find a picnic area at the Hilltown Wood carpark under the shade of the trees. There are toilet facilities on site too, but because of the pandemic, there might be changes to the opening times.

Watermouth Bay
You’ll find Watermouth Cove on the outskirts of Ilfracombe, which as a foodie hub, is a great place to stock up your hampers. The cove has a sheltered harbour, so it is a great place to shield from the cooler winds coming off the ocean. You’ll find picture perfect views across the North Devon coast and there are a number of rare marine species that can be found in the harbour, so keep your eyes peeled!

Wistlandpound Reservoir


One of the prettiest places in the region, this is a great place for dining alfresco. Located near South Molton, the reservoir features a still lake surrounded by conifers and greenery and is a wonderfully tranquil place to just sit and breathe for a while. Once you’ve eaten, you can take a walk around the lake and enjoy the views or just find a nice spot and enjoy being outdoors.

Mouth Mill
Just along the coast from Clovelly is this stunning little beach, perfect for a picnic and with the feel of a private beach there are some wonderful views to be seen from here. There are several spots here to set up and eat and there is a car park nearby too for those travelling to the region that is managed by the National Trust.

Instow Beach

Close to Barnstaple and set back from the Atlantic coast in the mouth of the River Taw and Torridge Estuary, this is one of the more shaded beaches in North Devon, which makes it ideal for a picnic, especially in the summer months. This is also one of the best places to view the sunset in North Devon, so head out of an evening and enjoy!

Did we feature your favourite picnic spot on the list? Don’t forget you can submit your best places for a picnic on the official National Picnic Week website here.  

If you are planning a picnic this summer, make sure to take all your litter with you and continue to follow all the government guidelines regarding mixing households and social distancing.