This summer, our MINI Clubman prize is the ultimate picnic-mobile to help you to have the best picnics, ever. So, we want to share two of our top picnic road trips to go on around the UK, helping you to Do Picnics Proud all summer long.
Set sail for the Isle of Wight
Issy, the newest member of our Commercial team, suggests hopping on an early ferry from Portsmouth over to the Isle of Wight (hopefully in your brand-new MINI Clubman). The early trip will get you excited for the adventures ahead – you could even tuck into a pack of our sausage or veggie rolls during the crossing as a pre-picnic snack.
Once you’ve touched down on the Isle of Wight, a short journey to Quarr Abbey in Ryde is a great first stop on your road trip. This Benedictine monastery offers a tranquil setting for any picnic, surrounded by beautiful gardens, architecture and even a few farm animals. This will certainly do picnics proud and is also a great one for the kids.
After that, take a coastal journey round to Ventnor Botanical gardens. Here lies a secret gem that is well worth the journey. Take a walk through the beautiful gardens to a pathway that leads to Steephill Cove. This is a traditional fishing cove nestled between rocky cliffs. Here you can enjoy your picnic on a bright and colourful deckchair snuggled amongst fishing boats and a few charming cottages.
Our final stop on your Isle of Wight road trip is of course The Needles. Driving from Ventnor to here offers the most dazzling cliff-top ocean views, blowing away all the cobwebs, leaving you feeling refreshed, ready for your next food-stop. Settle down on top of the Old Battery and Tuck into your perfectly procured picnic, with panoramic views of the Channel.
Pop over to The Cosy Cotswolds
Amy, our Brand Manager, has recently been on a trip to the beautiful Cotswolds and would recommend ‘village hopping’ to anyone who fancies road-tripping in the area. The quaint villages offer a magnitude of opportunities for picnics – from charming streams and old country pubs to endless fields filled with local wildlife.
Amy’s village hopping recommendation for the Cotswolds would be to start with Bourton-on-the-Water – said to be one of the prettiest villages in England. Park up and settle yourself down next to the River Windrush and immerse yourself in the tranquil vibe of this delightful village.
Next, take a stop over to Stow-on-Wold, particularly making sure to catch sight of the beautiful Church of St Edward which is said to have inspired J.R.R Tolkien’s work. A visit here timed well with one of their farmers markets will offer a whole host of local produce to enjoy as part of your picnic.
Finally, end your course across the Cotswolds with a trip to Blenheim Palace whilst enjoying a pit-stop trip to Woodstock. The luxurious grounds of Blenheim offer a rather spectacular picnic spot, offering scenic walks and a lot of history to uncover.
The UK (or the world!) is your oyster
There are so many amazing road trips that you could take around the UK. A few others that we would suggest would be a Scottish venture – picnicking on top of Arthur’s Seat in Edinburgh, or a city trip to picnic in Roundhay Park in Leeds. Closer to our Higgidy home, Devil’s Dyke is a must visit, with amazing views of Sussex and the South Downs.
Of course, for any picnic, you need to make sure that you’re stocked up with your favourite Higgidy’s. Whether it be a next level quiche or a few fabulous frittatas, or something that you’ve whipped up from scratch using one of our recipes; these will always go down a treat with your nearest and dearest. So, what are you waiting for? Hop in the car and do picnics proud!
