Posted on May 08, 2025
There’s something irresistibly charming about a picnic in the Cotswolds. With its rolling hills, honey-stone villages, and abundance of local produce, this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty lends itself perfectly to elegant alfresco dining. Whether you're planning a relaxed lunch beneath the trees or a romantic meal with a view, we’ve curated a list of the finest places to gather your picnic provisions along with our favourite scenic spots in which to savour them.
Where to Pick Up the Perfect Picnic
Jesse Smith Farm Shop
With several locations across the Cotswolds, Jesse Smith Farm Shop is a reliable go-to for quality local fare. Their shelves are lined with artisan cheeses, freshly baked breads, and carefully sourced produce. The deli counter is particularly inviting, with generously filled sandwiches, seasonal salads, and savoury pies, perfect for a picnic with rustic flair. Be sure to pick up one of their handmade cakes or brownies for a sweet finishing touch.
The Cotswold Guy Farm Shop & Café
A stylish and well-curated farm shop in the picturesque village of Guiting Power, The Cotswold Guy is known for its elevated take on countryside cuisine. Expect thoughtfully sourced local produce, handmade sausage rolls, seasonal tarts, and vibrant salads, all beautifully presented and full of flavour. Their café also serves excellent coffee and buttery croissants if you’re planning a breakfast picnic or early start.
Salt Bakehouse
This family-run bakery is a Stroud staple, known for its inventive takes on classic bakes. From artisan sausage rolls and sourdough sandwiches to their award-winning sticky buns, everything here is packed with flavour and made fresh each day. Their savoury pastries and sweet treats travel well, ideal for a picnic spread with a little indulgence.
Daylesford Organic
A byword for sustainable luxury, Daylesford Organic is the ultimate farm shop experience. It’s hard not to be inspired by their beautiful displays of organic produce, fresh pastries, and lovingly prepared deli items. From vibrant seasonal salads and artisan sandwiches to wood-fired focaccia and creamy cheeses, every item is of exceptional quality. Their selection of cold drinks, juices, and organic wines also makes picnic planning refreshingly easy. Whether you’re packing a light lunch or creating a gourmet feast, Daylesford adds a little elegance to any outdoor dining moment.
Filkins Village Shop & Café
Tucked away in the small village of Filkins, this local gem is all about home comforts and handmade quality. The shop is stocked with traditional cakes, local chutneys, cheeses, and baked good, perfect for assembling a nostalgic, countryside-inspired picnic. Their takeaway cakes and sweet treats are ideal for children’s picnics or impromptu pitstops mid-walk. With a friendly welcome and a focus on local suppliers, it’s a place that feels thoroughly Cotswold, in all the best ways.
Most Scenic Picnic Spots in the Cotswolds
Crickley Hill
Just outside Cheltenham, Crickley Hill offers sweeping panoramic views over the Severn Vale and beyond. Managed by the National Trust and Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust, this elevated site is rich in history and nature. Well-marked trails lead to picnic-perfect spots where you can enjoy your meal against a backdrop of open skies and dramatic landscapes. With easy access from Cheltenham and plenty of space to roam, it’s a convenient yet breathtaking option for a countryside escape.
Cirencester Park
A majestic, tree-lined park just moments from the centre of town, Cirencester Park is an exceptional place to picnic. With long avenues, open lawns, and shaded woodland areas, it’s easy to find your own peaceful corner—whether you’re laying out a full spread or simply enjoying a coffee and pastry in the sun. The park’s scale and tranquillity make it ideal for families and dog walkers alike, and there’s always something new to discover with each visit.
Westonbirt Arboretum
Renowned for its vibrant seasonal displays, Westonbirt Arboretum offers a magical setting for a picnic surrounded by nature. With over 15,000 trees across 600 acres, there are countless tucked-away spots to unfold a blanket and enjoy lunch in the dappled light. Spring and early summer bring colourful blooms and birdsong, creating a picture-perfect backdrop for everything from a quiet solo lunch to a special anniversary treat.
Painswick Rococo Garden
Elegant, eccentric, and utterly enchanting, the Rococo Garden in Painswick is one of the most unique picnic destinations in The Cotswolds. Designed in the 18th century as a place of pleasure and indulgence, it’s now a romantic and artistic space filled with winding paths, ornate follies, and garden nooks. With formal flowerbeds, heritage vegetables, and sweeping views, it offers a truly charming and intimate setting for a refined picnic experience.
Minchinhampton Common
Open, windswept, and beautifully untamed, Minchinhampton Common offers panoramic views across the Cotswolds and is ideal for a relaxed countryside picnic. The wide grassy spaces are perfect for kids to run around, and the sight of cows grazing freely adds to the rural charm. It’s particularly lovely in the late afternoon when the light softens over the hills. Bring a blanket, a few nibbles from a local deli, and soak up the simple pleasure of good food in a natural setting.
Batsford Arboretum
A lesser-known but utterly lovely location, Batsford Arboretum is peaceful, scenic, and bursting with spring and summer colour. With its rich collection of trees and flowering plants, it feels like a secret garden waiting to be discovered. Benches and picnic areas are thoughtfully placed around the grounds, offering quiet spaces to rest and dine amongst nature. It’s also home to a lovely café and plant centre, perfect for a pre or post-picnic browse.