PRESS RELEASE: British Guild of Travel Writers
Written: Friday 28th May, 2010
PIC OF THE BUNCH
A remote coastal cliff top described by Dylan Thomas as 'wild, bleak and barren' was yesterday (Fri) voted Britain's Best Picnic spot.
Rhossili Bay on the far end of the Gower Peninsular offers stunning views across north Devon in one direction and along three miles of Rhossili sands in the other.
It was voted the best by the British Guild of Travel Writers in conjunction with the launch of Red Tractor Week.
Tennyson Down near Freshwater on the Isle of Wight was second.
The view, which reaches out across the Solent from the downs, is said to have inspired many of Tennyson's poems.
In third place was Redpoint Beach at Western Ross in the Scottish Highlands which on a clear day provides views of the Outer Hebrides on the horizon.
Yesterday (Fri) a spokesman for the Red Tractor food assurance scheme, which commissioned the research among Guild members said: ''We commissioned this research to highlight the wealth of fantastic outdoor eating spots there are in Britain so we could encourage people to enjoy quality food and drink in our great British surroundings to celebrate Red Tractor Week from 14th - 20th June.
''The picnic spot at Rhossili Bay offers unparalleled views and the perfect place to enjoy quality food - turn one way and on a clear day you can see the north Devon coast, turn the other to look along the three-mile yellow sweep of Rhossili sands, where the surfers will be catching waves whatever the time of year.''
Richmond Hill in Surrey was fourth.
William Wordsworth, Sir Walter Scott, Sir Joshua Reynolds and J.M.W Turner are among those who have been inspired to immortalise the view of the Thames rolling by.
Malham Cove in the Yorkshire Dales, where a giant limestone curve stands proudly over a trickling stream, was fifth.
Other favourites include Linford Brook in the northern New Forest in Hampshire and the world famous Giant's Causeway in Bushmills, Co Antrim, Northern Ireland.
Legend has it the Giant's Causeway was begun by the gargantuan Finn MacCool as a challenge to his Scottish counterpart across the water to come over and fight.
Also making the top ten was Wastwater in The Lake District, Cumbria. Here, gentle grassy areas edge the water with tiny bays and islets.
In ninth place was Devil's Dyke on the South Downs in West Sussex, where a patchwork of green fields, ancient hedgerows and tiny hamlets weave their way into the distance.
The Devil's Dyke has been a popular picnic spot since Victorian times.
In tenth place was Top Withens near Haworth in West Yorkshire, home to the abandoned farmhouse which featured in Emily Bronte's novel Wuthering Heights novel.
Tim Locke, a spokesman for the British Guild of Travel Writers said: ''Our members are among the best-travelled bunch of people you could find anywhere and know an extraordinary number of Britain's little nooks and crannies.
''They have the pleasure of being able to travel the country to seek out the most glorious places to visit.
''As well as some of the all-time classics, there are some real hidden gems in this list, and they are all worth a visit for different reasons - whether it be the superb views at Tennyson Down, the mountain backdrop at Wastwater or the view from Richmond Hill.
''Unfortunately we don't always get the weather to enjoy these picnic spots. But when the weather's right, dining alfresco is one of life's great pleasures.''
BRITAIN'S BEST PICNIC SPOTS
1. Rhossili Bay
2. Tennyson Down
3. Redpoint Beach, Western Ross
4. Richmond Hill
5. Malham Cove
6. Northern New Forest
7. Giant's Causeway
8. Wastwater
9. Devil's Dyke
10. Top Withens, near Haworth
Research conducted by global market research company www.onepoll.com
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