SPRING has officially sprung with the sun setting just before 9pm and the flowers starting to bloom.
And when the weather starts to warm up, there’s nothing better than dining al fresco.
Of course, many of us love sitting outdoors at a restaurant or cafe.
But with the cost of living crisis pinching British purses and the school holidays coming up, a picnic does the trick just as well.
And if you ask us, sitting in one of the UK’s most beautiful parks is just as chic as a trip to a restaurant.
New research has unveiled the best picnic spots across the UK.
And according to the experts at homeware brand Hillarys, each of them offers a touch of French flair.
That means you can get a taste of being abroad without leaving the British Isles.
From charming villages with independent delis to breathtaking gardens reminiscent of Versailles, they reckon there’s a hidden gem in every corner of the country.
In Scotland, Culzean Castle and Country Park, which is just down the road from Ayr, scooped first prize.
The park offers designated picnic areas throughout the grounds, many with picnic tables and benches.
“The magnificent Culzean Castle itself is a prominent landmark, offering a dramatic backdrop to your picnic,” the experts said.
Jupiter Artland, just outside of Edinburgh, was awarded second place for its focus on natural beauty rather than manicured gardens.
In the North, Dunham Massey House and Gardens in Cheshire was dubbed the best place to picnic by Hillarys.
They praised its “formal gardens with manicured hedges, sculpted lawns and parterres decorative flower beds”
What’s more, the geometric patterns of the flower beds are said to emulate the vibe of “classic French gardens like Versailles”.
Heaton Park in Manchester and The Alnwick Garden above Newcastle were recommended for their “expansive green space”.
Cotswold Lavender out in Snowshill was crowned the best place to picnic in the midlands.
“The sprawling lavender fields in full bloom (typically July-August) create a stunning purple landscape reminiscent of Provence in France,” the experts said.
“Cotswold Lavender offers well-maintained grassy areas perfect for spreading out a picnic blanket.”
They also recommended Sutton Park and Wollaton Park in Nottingham for their picturesque lakes.
Of course, Aberystwyth Castle was deemed the best picnic spot in Wales.
“Terraced lawns overlooking the Irish Sea and the backdrop of the ruined castle walls evoke a feeling of a French coastal landscape,” Hillarys’ experts said.
They also recommended the “secluded and romantic” space of Dyffryn Fern Dingle by the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park.
An honourable mention was given to Pwll Pendre for its “defined flower beds and pathways which offer a hint of French flair, perfect for a picnic surrounded by flowers”.
The Royal Crescent in Bath was crowned the South West’s best picnic spot by Hillarys.
The experts swooned over the “sweeping crescent of terraced houses that evoke a sense of Georgian elegance”.
“Victoria Obelisk stands tall at the park’s highest point, offering panoramic views and serving as a recognizable landmark,” they said.
French Weir Park in Taunton and The Newt in Somerset were also recommended for their “beautifully designed gardens”.
London parks scooped all three top places for the best picnic spots in the South East.
Hillarys ranked Greenwich Park first for its “focus on gardens and expansive lawns that evoke a touch of a grand Parisian Park, especially with a picnic basket full of French treats”.
In second place was Hyde Park for its boating lake and “symmetrical layouts with geometric flower bed”.
The well-maintained Battersea Park was ranked third in the South East as the distant sight of the Houses of Parliament might create a hint of grandeur.
