Get the blankets out. National Picnic Week is upon us!

Who doesn’t love a picnic either? Pork pies, crisps, sandwiches, and a wicker basket to put it all in.

Just because we adore a picnic in the park, we’ve curated a list of some of the finest locations to have a picnic this summer…

As part of National Picnic Week, the people behind this celebration of all things picnic have launched a competition for you to nominate the best picnic location in the country.

We’ve got some of our own favourites, and decided we would share them with you for some inspiration, or maybe even your next destination!

1. Yorkshire Sculpture Park, Wakefield

With over 400,000 visitors each year, this sprawling park, located just outside Wakefield is home to not only some of the most audacious bovine creatures we have ever come across, but some of the World’s finest sculptures and art installations.

Set in grounds of Bretton Hall, the park straddles the West Yorkshire/South Yorkshire border with one of the largest collections of Henry Moore sculptures found in Europe.

No admission fee makes this an enticing prospect for the picnicker, with sheep and cattle also roaming in vast portions of the grounds.

On a sunny day, the backdrop of the Yorkshire hills and world-class sculpture collection make for one of the most interesting places to sit and eat one’s lunch.

Just bring some comfortable walking shoes…and watch out for the sheep poo.

2. Heaton Park, Manchester

One of the largest municipal parks in Greater Manchester, Heaton Park has become a major destination for music acts to come and perform to revellers on sunny days in the North West.

The 650 acre park offers almost infinite locations to sit and enjoy a perfect picnic, with the stunning Heaton Hall acting as the perfect backdrop.

With a boating lake, tramway and an animal centre on-site, there are plenty of places to spend some time before or after you’ve finished your lunch!

Just watch out for the Swans! They can be very mischievous!

3. Gibside, Newcastle-upon-Tyne

“A stunning 18th-century landscape garden and haven for nature,” states the National Trust when describing Newcastle-upon-Tyne’s Gibside. One of the finest parks in the North East of England, the sprawling grounds offer views that are the envy of many of the UK’s parks and country estates.

Set amongst the peaks of the Derwent Valley, the country estate is now a National Trust owned property, and is most famous for the chapel within the grounds.

With a range of exceptional 15th, 16th and 17th-century architecture and numerous activities to get involved in, this is the perfect family picnic destination no matter the weather!

Look out for the wildlife, especially the huge butterflies!…

4. Victoria Park, London

One of the capital’s most important historic parks, and it’s oldest public park, Victoria Park has been a staple for almost 170 years in most Londoners lives.

Possibly the smallest park on our list at just under 90 hectares, it still manages to pack plenty of attractions into a smaller space.

Victoria Park is open 365 days a year, which is more than any other on our list, which is of course and enticing prospect for picnickers!

5. Studland Bay, Dorset

The vast sandy beaches and heathland of the Dorset coastline are one of the most iconic and beautiful places in the United Kingdom.

Studland Bay covers four miles of the Dorset coast, with sheltered beaches providing the perfect place to set-up camp for the day.

The almost movie-like quality of Old Harry’s Rocks are one of the United Kingdom’s landmarks, and we can’t think of a better place on this list to admire whilst scoffing your lunch!

We can’t think of a better place to relax, but you aren’t limited to just enjoying the views, the bay is a watersports haven. Just make sure you don’t go swimming on a full-stomach!

6. Roundhay Park, Leeds

Not only one of the largest parks in Yorkshire, Roundhay is one of the largest city parks in Europe!

Nearly one million people per year visit the vast expanse on the outskirts of the city, with one William the Conqueror granting the lands to the creator Ilbert De Lacy.

Straddling a municipal golf course, a wildlife centre and with cafes, lakes and even a castle — which is actually a folly built in 1811. There is much to do and see one of Leeds finest attractions.

We recommend a quiet spot near the Upper Lake, which has plenty of seating and space to enjoy the sun and surrounds!

7. Bodmin Moor, Cornwall

Our final picnic destination is deep into Cornwall, and was first farmed over 4000 years ago, during the bronze age.

Large granite tors dominate the landscape, with vast marshland expanses broken by large lakes, rivers and streams.

We can see why this place has been the inspiration for writers, poets and sculptors throughout this time!

The mythical ‘Beast of Bodmin’ is supposed to roam these parts, so if you do venture into this almost unspoilt area, just make sure you bring some tasty treats to distract the beast!

That wraps up our list of our favourite picnic spots throughout the United Kingdom, have you got any of your own? Let us know on Facebook or via Twitter!