Picnic Spots With a View in Dorset

There are plenty of scenic picnic spots that surround our West Dorset Leisure Holidays parks. To help you decide which spots to visit whilst on holiday on the Jurassic Coast, we’ve compiled a list of just some of our favourite picnic spots with a view in Dorset.

East Cliff Beach, West Bay

If you’re looking for a beach picnic without sand in your sandwiches, then East Cliff Beach at West Bay is an excellent spot to consider. The shingle beach is backed by beautiful golden cliffs and is the perfect spot to soak up the summer sun. We love visiting at sunset, but a day time picnic comes highly recommended too! Pack your own food and drink or visit one of the excellent kiosks that line the bustling harbour. You’ll find a selection of tasty treats, including traditional fish and chips, locally caught seafood, pasties, ice creams and doughnuts.

East Cliff is an excellent choice for visitors with children, because there’s are RNLI lifeguards on duty between the months of July to September. Spend quality family time paddling in the shallows or playing beach games after your food.

If you want to experience views over West Bay, but don’t want to leave the comfort of our holiday park – why not enjoy one of the many picnic spots on site. At Highlands End, for example we have a large field, which boasts far-reaching views over West Bay. Take a look at our live West Bay webcam to see exactly what you can expect during your next camping, caravan or glamping holiday in Dorset.

Colmer’s Hill, Bridport

A picnic on Colmer’s Hill promises excellent views of the picturesque Dorset countryside and coast. This iconic hill is particularly pleasant to visit during the months of mid-April to May, when Britain’s bluebells begin to appear. From the elevated position you can enjoy commanding vistas of the local area. Don’t forget to keep an eye out for the local wildlife that thrives here, such as birds of prey, rabbits, deer and pheasants.

The steep walk can be a little tiring with a picnic basket in tow, but we think the scenery is well worth the effort! Park at the car park at Symondsbury Estate, or take on the West Dorset Three Peaks Challenge and enjoy a pit stop as you rest and refuel.

Durlston Country Park, Swanage

There’s nothing more relaxing than enjoying a bite to eat whilst sitting in a flower meadow surrounded by beautiful butterflies. You can do this and more at Durlston Country Park in Swanage! Durlston Country Park has some fantastic views over the Dorset coastline and is a fantastic place to visit, regardless of the weather or season. The entire family can enjoy a picnic at Durlston on the Castle grounds or within the meadows as the park is dog-friendly and accessible to all.

This area of outstanding natural beauty won the Visit England Gold award for ‘accessible and Inclusive Tourism’, so wheelchair users and pushchairs can navigate around the grounds with ease – Durlston even has a ‘Tramper Hire Scheme’ for those with restricted mobility. Durlston Country Park is the perfect picnic spot with a view in Dorset for the whole family to enjoy.

Maiden Castle, Dorchester

Maiden Castle is a fantastic spot to visit to enjoy a picnic with a view in Dorset. Here you can enjoy the rolling hills that surround the county town of Dorchester, whilst discovering more about the historic site’s interesting past.

This Iron Age Hillfort was once home to a thriving community and is believed to be one of the largest and most complex settlements in Europe. Nowadays this grassy site is the perfect spot to let the kids burn off some energy running up and down the ramparts during a stop off for a picnic whilst enjoying a day out in Dorchester.

Golden Cap, Seatown

Golden Cap is the highest point on the South Coast of England. The raised position affords hikers panoramic views out to sea and along the Jurassic Coastline – you can spot Portland Bill on particularly clear days. There’s nothing better than admiring the views, whilst indulging in a delicious picnic, packed with your favourite food and drinks! If the weathers hot, we recommend heading out early to beat the heat!

If you don’t have the energy to make it to the top, there are plenty of scenic picnic spots on the ascent. There’s a lovely bench overlooking Golden Cap on the edge of Langdon Hill woods, where you can stop for a break. This shaded area is great for kids and there is plenty of fun to be had in the surrounding woodland. Spend a couple of hours building a den or looking for bugs, birds and bees!

Seatown Beach

How could we write a blog about the best picnic spots with a view in Dorset, without mentioning our very own picnic area at Golden Cap Holiday Park? Situated, just 150 yards from Seatown Beach with stunning views out to sea, this is dedicated eating area is perfect for families looking to dine Alfresco beneath the summer sun. The spacious area has plenty of picnic benches, where you can sit back and soak up the scenery with your family. There’s even a giant deck chair, to snap some holiday photos to remind you of your stay!

The Spar convenience store is just a short walk away, so you’ll be able to stock up on sandwiches, cold drinks, ice creams and other picnic necessities! After eating you can wander down to Seaton Beach. This shingle beach is perfect for a spot of sunbathing or fossil hunting as your food goes down.

If you’d like to see Seatown Beach before you stay, check out our fantastic Seatown Beach webcam here.

Hive Beach, Burton Bradstock

Hive Beach in Burton Bradstock is the ideal picnic spot to enjoy an incredible coastal view in Dorset. This unspoilt beach offers incredible views across the coastline of golden sandstone cliffs.

We believe that Hive Beach is the perfect picnic spot for guests staying at our Graston Copse holiday park, as this charming beach is only a short 20-30 minute walk away. The walk from our holiday parks to this beach is especially pleasant in the summer months as you may have the treat of spotting a skylark or picking wild blackberries as you go.

If you fancy tucking into something a bit special, why not purchase a takeaway from the multi award-winning Hive Beach Cafe. This incredible beach-side cafe has earned national acclaim for their delicious seafood dishes.

Breaks with West Dorset Leisure Holidays

West Dorset Leisure Holidays have a selection of six coastal holiday parks, many of which have incredible views over the Jurassic Coast. Our award-winning parks have a wide choice of accommodation options, with something to suit all tastes and budgets. There are plenty of facilities to enjoy including dedicated picnic areas at most parks.

If you’re looking to secure your getaway to the stunning county of Dorset, simply give us a call at 01308 426947 or book online to secure your holiday.

We kindly remind guests to respect the Countryside Code when enjoying a picnic with a view in Dorset. Please take all litter home and leave no trace to protect the natural environment for others to enjoy.