Summer’s coming and it’s bringing the good weather with it and that can only mean one thing… Picnics! Arguably, there’s no better way to spend the day than lounging about on a lush patch of grass with good food, good drink and good people. So with that in mind, we’ve compiled a list of Brighton’s best picnic locations so you know exactly where to go this Summer.
Queen’s Park
Located 5 minutes from Kemptown, Queen’s Park is a prime picnic location. With a large pond and plenty of greenery, this a great location for activities. Whether you want to walk your dog, play some frisbee or just relax in this sun trap – Queen’s Park is always a winner. The main problem, unfortunately, is that it’s a pretty popular area with seagulls too, so be prepared to defend your food!
Distance from town: 3/5 (It’s nearby but it is uphill!)
Scenery: 4/5
Seagull disturbance level: 4/5 (Unfortunately it’s the seagulls local watering hole…)
Room for activities: 4/5 (Great for football or frisbee games with friends)
Grass lusciousness: 4/5
Stanmer Park
Further out of town, but a great location for picnics nevertheless! Stanmer Park is located just behind the University of Sussex and is nestled in the South Downs, meaning the views are pretty much unbeatable. Once again, there’s so much space this place is great for activities or big family get-togethers. Plus, if you get bored of sitting on the grass, there’s Stanmer House that serves food, drink and even has live bands on from time to time!
Distance from town: 2/5 (it’s not near but hop on the 78 bus and you’ll be there in no time!)
Scenery: 5/5
Seagull disturbance level: 1/5
Room for activities: 5/5 (why not go for a walk after you’re picnic through the scenic hills?)
Grass lusciousness: 4/5
The Level
Located in between Elm Grove and St Peters Church, The Level is pretty conveniently located. If you’re walking back from town via London road, why not swing by here to absorb some sun? If you’re not ready to commit to full on greenery, The Level is a good compromise as it offers toilets nearby and great opportunities to people watch with a skate park and many passersby.
Distance from town: 4/5
Scenery: 3/5
Seagull level of disturbance: 2/5
Room for activities: 3/5 (There’s enough space, but it can get a little crowded!)
Grass lusciousness: 2/5
Royal Pavilion
As central as you can get when it comes to green spaces, the Pavilion is a great place to settle down for a picnic after a day of wandering around town. With supermarkets nearby, you can be as under prepared as you want when picnicing here! This one gets bonus points for creative buskers to listen to while you eat.
Distance from town: 5/5
Scenery: 4/5 (there’s not much to look at but the gardens and dome are pretty scenic!)
Seagull level of disturbance: 2/5
Room for activities: 2/5 (Though pretty, it does fill up quickly and it would be hard to play a game of frisbee here without hitting someone!)
Grass lusciousness: 4/5
Preston Park
A little further a field, and often overlooked, Preston Park’s large area plays host to Brighton pride each year! This park may not be top choice to many tourists or those of you who live in town, but this park is well loved by the locals.
Distance from town: 3/5 (it actually is walkable)
Scenery: 3/5 (nothing much to see here)
Seagull level of disturbance: 2/5
Room for activities: 4/5
Gruss lusciousness: 4/5
The Beach
What would this list be without the beach? Picnics on the beach are a staple of Brighton summertime, but is it really worth it? After seeing how all the green spaces measure up, let’s look at how the beach compares. As lovely as being by the sea is when it’s hot, you do tend to sacrifice a little heat due to the “refreshing” sea breeze…
Distance from town: 4/5
Scenery: 5/5 (if you find watching waves crash as hypnotic as I do!)
Seagull level of disturbance: 4/5
Room for activities: 3/5 (Room isn’t really the problem here, but the stones might prevent you from playing any games…)
Grass lusciousness: 0/5 (bring a chair)
So after all that, who wins battle of the picnic spaces? Well, I don’t believe there can be a true winner. I would go to all of these places, depending on where I am at the time, what mood I’m in and what the weather’s like. There’s nothing better than the beach on a hot hot day, but it’s good to see what else Brighton has to offer. Like a famous man once said, “variety is the spice of life”…
