Six Picnic Spots in Staffordshire

Staffordshire is blessed with acres of gorgeous wide open spaces, so what better way to mark National Picnic Week (June 17-25) than with a visit to one of these stunning spots?

Thanks to Staffordshire bloggers Dirt, Diggers and Dinosaurs, The Regular Parent, Typical Mummy, and John Hibbs for their help putting this together.

Have we missed your favourite out? Let us know on X/Twitter @enjoystaffs!

The Trentham Estate

The award-winning Trentham Estate in Stoke-on-Trent is one of our favourite places for a family day out.

There is so much to see and do, and the stunning surroundings are perfect for a picnic.

There are picnic tables set up near the fabulous Adventure Play Area and in amongst the beautiful Meadows of Grass or, if you take your own picnic blanket, there are lots of places where you can sit down and set up your own little picnic space.

Two favourite spots for picnickers are beside the Show Gardens, or on the gentle slope leading down to the Lakeside Amphitheatre, overlooking Capability Brown’s beautiful mile-long lake.

Once you’ve finished your picnic you can then burn off the calories exploring everything that The Trentham Estate has to offer.

We love walking round the Italian Gardens, braving the Barefoot Walk (whatever the weather!) and searching for the beautiful wire fairy sculptures hidden around the site.

Typical Mummy

Image: Typical Mummy

Tittesworth Water

With the Roaches as a backdrop Tittesworth Water is hard to beat for its location.

Just outside Leek, in the Staffordshire Moorlands, it makes a quick and easy day out for us and I’m guaranteed that my boys will love every minute. 

At one time I used to enjoy walking all the way around the reservoir taking in the scenery and wildlife. Nowadays however, our time spent here is very much centred around the huge playground and visitors centre area.

The Waterview Restaurant backs on to a grassed area with stunning views of the water.

We have enjoyed countless picnics, eaten ice-creams, rolled down the grassy bank and kicked a ball about on that field. We have also walked around the reservoir path as far as the 'halfway bench', played pooh sticks at the bridge and paddled in the River Churnet.

There are also some large wooden chair and sofa sculptures which make for some fun photo opportunities.

Tittesworth Water is free to enter with onsite pay and display parking.

Dirt, Diggers and Dinosaurs

Image: Dirt, Diggers and Dinosaurs

Cannock Chase Forest

One of my favourite picnic spots is the rather beautiful Seven Springs, at Cannock Chase Forest.

In the summer months the first enclosed spring water area makes an ideal paddling plot to have hours of supervised water fun.

There are more springs to explore along a winding woodland track - but these aren’t ideal for paddling or bathing in, so do take care with little ones.

With plenty of free parking and woodlands to explore - Seven Springs really is the ideal adventure on a sunny day.

The Regular Parent

National Memorial Arboretum

The huge National Memorial Arboretum site is perfect for a family day out, with loads of room for picnics.

One popular spot is at Watersmeet, a riverside wood beside the River Tame, home to scores of silver birch, black poplar and willow trees, but you are spoiled for choice with 150 acres to explore.

After your lunch, admire the thought-provoking memorials, burn off some energy in one of the children's play areas, or wander the dog-friendly and wheelchair-accessible pathways.

And it's free to enter too, although there is a small charge for parking.

Kinver Edge

There are few picnic spots quite like this one, at Kinver Edge in South Staffordshire.

Carved into the sandstone are the last troglodyte dwellings in the country, which were inhabited right up to the 1960s.

Now looked after by the National Trust, the eye-opening site is part of a wonderful park providing stunning panoramic views of four counties.

Once you've polished off your sandwiches and scones, explore the Iron Age Hill Fort, or see if you can spot the bats, adders and kites which call Kinver Edge their home.

Stafford Castle

Stafford Castle and Visitor Centre is located just outside of the town and is well sign posted for anyone visiting.

The Visitor Centre houses interesting and interactive hands-on displays where young historians can view examples of armoury and costumes of the bygone days.

Once you’ve scaled the hill there is an impressive 360 degree view of the county with plenty of open ground to throw down a blanket or benches on which to enjoy a picnic.

If you can’t manage the full climb, there's room to spread out and enjoy a game, or perhaps just relax while you tuck into your picnic.

John Hibbs

Thanks to...

So, there you have it! Our guide to the best Staffordshire spots for a picnic with someone special this summer!

If you're out and about for a picnic, don't forget to let us know about your day, and send us your pics! 

Email them to info@enjoystaffordshire.com, or post them on social media and tag us in. We are @enjoystaffs on X/Twitter and @enjoy_staffordshire on Instagram.

Thanks again to contributors Dirt, Diggers and Dinosaurs, Typical Mummy, The Regular Parent, and John Hibbs for sending us their suggestions.