Where to Celebrate the Essex Big Picnic 2025

Enjoy a weekend of fresh air, local flavours, and community spirit for the Essex Big Picnic! Taking place from 14 - 15 June, just ahead of National Picnic Week, this weekend is all about encouraging locals and visitors to explore Essex, support local events, and enjoy the great outdoors. Whether you're into wine tastings, coastal walks, or live music on the lawn, there’s a perfect picnic spot waiting for you.

Essex Wildlife Trust

Visit one of the wonderful Essex Wildlife Trust discovery centres to celebrate the Essex Big Picnic! There are many amazing parks to choose from across the county. Thurrock Thameside Nature Discovery Park offers outstanding estuary views, bird hides, and a natural play area - ideal for family picnics! Abberton Reservoir Nature Discover Park is a haven for birdwatchers, with picnic tables overlooking the water so that you can enjoy your lunch with a view, plus the Bramley Hedge sculpture trail. Hanningfield Nature Discovery Park features their charming Wind in the Willows sculpture trail (can you find all of the characters using the trail map?) and perfect picnic spots to enjoy either a packed picnic or food and drink purchased from the café. Each park blends wildlife, walking trails, and peaceful scenery, making them ideal for a laid-back lunch outdoors.

Hedingham Castle

The grounds of Hedingham Castle make for an idyllic picnic spot, with beautiful views of the grand Norman keep. The scenery changes beautifully throughout the seasons, from bluebells in the spring to autumnal golden hues, all reflected in a tranquil lake. The formal gardens and ancient woodland provide peaceful spots to relax, while the castle’s rich heritage adds a magical backdrop. Hedingham Castle will be offering a limited number of free entry tickets to visitors over the Essex Big Picnic weekend, coinciding with their EA Festival! 

Go Ape Chelmsford

Nestled in the grounds of Hylands Estate, Go Ape Chelmsford offers an exhilarating outdoor adventure for all ages. With three high ropes courses – Treetop Adventure, Treetop Adventure Plus, and Treetop Challenge – visitors can swing, climb, and zip through the treetops in a beautiful woodland setting. Whether you're a thrill-seeker or a family looking for a fun day out, there's something for everyone. After your adventure, unwind with a picnic in the park’s expansive green spaces. Hylands Park provides plenty of scenic spots perfect for relaxing and refuelling for a full day of outdoor fun!

New Hall Wine Estate

Don’t miss out on New Hall Wine Estate’s Cellar Door Social Saturdays! Taking place every Saturday throughout the summer, this event offers the perfect opportunity to enjoy a relaxed picnic with friends or family, nested amongst the vines. Bring your blankets, favourite snacks and sweet treats, a pack of playing cards, and New Hall will provide the wine as the cherry on top of a perfect picnic! On selected Saturdays, enjoy nibbles from local icons Maldon Oysters, The Grazeful Girls, and Market West Coffee.

Dedham Vale Vineyard

Celebrate the Essex Big Picnic weekend with a visit to Dedham Vale Vineyard! Join them for their Tour and Tasting on Saturday 14^th June. From 11am to 1:30pm, enjoy a guided tour through the picturesque vineyard with Vineyard Manager Mike, who’ll share fascinating insights into the winemaking process. Afterward, savour four tasting glasses of the vineyard’s signature wines in a relaxed, scenic setting. To make your visit even more special, opt for a delicious, locally sourced picnic and unwind among the vines. The peaceful beauty of Dedham Vale makes it the perfect spot to relax and toast to summer.

Chelmsford Cathedral

Get into the spirit of the Essex Big Picnic weekend at Chelmsford Cathedral! The cathedral will be hosting one of their beloved Friday lunchtime concerts on Friday 13^th June, featuring Simeon Walker on the piano. Visit for an afternoon of wonderful music, and bring a picnic along to enjoy whilst you listen. Tea and coffee will be served from 11:30, and the concert will begin at 12pm.

Sunshine Coast Picnic Walk

Join the Great Picnic Walk on Tuesday 24^th June at 10:30am for a refreshing seaside stroll and a relaxed picnic! Starting from Naze Park Road, Walton, this 6-mile walk takes you along the scenic seafront from Walton to Frinton and back. Midway, enjoy your picnic (BYO) on the beautiful Frinton Greensward, perfect for a peaceful break with great views. It’s a wonderful way to stay active, connect with others, and soak up the coast. For more info, contact Fran (07707282909) or Becky (07707282907).

Down Hall

Enjoy a luxurious countryside experience with a picnic at Down Hall, available daily until 30^th September. Nestled in 110 acres of stunning gardens and woodland on the Essex/Hertfordshire border, Down Hall offers the perfect setting for a relaxed alfresco experience. Simply pre-book your preferred date and time and collect your freshly prepared hamper from The Fox Bar. You’ll receive a map of the grounds and can choose from picnic tables or a blanket from Reception. They even have adorable Teddy Bear Picnics available until 31^st August for the little ones! Whether it’s a romantic outing or a group gathering, Down Hall’s picnics promise a delicious and scenic day out!

St Osyth Priory

Not free during the Essex Big Picnic weekend? Don’t worry! You can still enjoy picnic fun with the St Osyth Priory Picnic: Summer in the Park on 29^th September. This free event promises a magical day for all ages, set against the stunning backdrop of the historic priory. Enjoy live music from Wandering Hands and dance along with Ceilidh Tree, or let the kids be enchanted by Doris Drake and Daria the Dragon. Get hands-on with clay modelling and free drawing sessions led by local artist Sally McKay. With craft stalls, local food and drink, and plenty of space to relax with your picnic blanket, it’s a perfect day out for families and friends alike. Bring your own picnic, soak up the atmosphere, and make unforgettable summer memories in this beautiful heritage setting.

Layer Marney Essex Summer Opera Festival

Experience the magic of opera under the summer sky at the 2025 Essex Summer Opera Festival (17^th – 22^nd June) at Layer Marney Tower, as Wild Arts returns with not one, but two productions! This much-loved annual event invites you to gather with friends and family, spread out your picnic blankets on the stunning lawns, and enjoy world-class performances in the atmospheric barn. Conducted by Orlando Jopling and featuring top professional singers and a chamber orchestra of the UK’s finest musicians, it’s the cultural highlight of the season. Bring a picnic to enjoy and let the music enchant your summer evening.

If none of the above tickle your fancy, why not pick up a takeaway cream tea from your local Tiptree Tea Room to enjoy in your favourite picnic spot in Essex! And don’t forget to vote for your favourite picnic spot at nationalpicnicweek.co.uk.