Top 5 Picnic Spots in Brighton

Today’s the day you have decided to go for a picnic! Next step is deciding on where. We have put together our top five to help you decide...

By Charlie Walker | Updated Apr 15 2024

A top-view photo of a picnic setup on a blue plaid blanket. It features bowls of salad and fruit, a loaf of bread, crackers, cheese, assorted toppings, and several utensils. Two people are sitting with their legs crossed, partially visible on the right side. — unsplash.com

Devil's Dyke

A picturesque landscape at sunset featuring rolling green hills and dense forests, with the sun casting rays through scattered clouds in the sky. Small clusters of houses and a winding road can be seen in the distance, adding a serene touch to the scene. — NationalTrust.org.uk

Devil’s Dyke sits in the heart of the South Downs, a perfect picnic spot where you can enjoy views of the rolling hills far from the hustle and bustle of city life; this beautiful spot is great for all kinds of activities, from walking and cycling to kite-flying and more.

If you are feeling energetic after making your way through that picnic basket, there is a range of scenic walking routes you can take, of varying length and levels of difficulty, through Devil's Dyke (click here for more information). Between April and September (pincic weather!), The National Trust also operate a free guided ½ mile walking tour every day, from 1-2pm, which explores the secrets and stories of Devils Dyke.

Ditchling Beacon

A panoramic view of a hilly countryside landscape, featuring rolling green hills, patches of forest, farmland, and scattered trees under a partly cloudy blue sky. A single tree stands prominently in the foreground on a grassy slope. — NationalTrust.org.uk

At an elevation of 248 m (814 ft), Ditchling Beacon is the highest point in East Sussex, with stunning views of the surrounding scenery for miles and miles around; you can look north towards the sea, south over the Weald and east to west across the Downs. At that height it is quite the climb (and is often been used for local sporting challenges like running and cycling races), so you'll certainly have earned your picnic!

The area is managed by the Sussex Wildlife Trust and is a hotspot for biodiversity and British widlife, so while you enjoy your picnic you might even see redwings, kestrels and butterflies! If you fancy more walking after your pincnic then head to neighbouring Ditchling Down, which lies to the west of Ditchling Beacon and is a prime example of chalk downland where disused chalk pits are grazed by sheep and dotted with wild flowers throughout spring and summer.

Click here for more information

Hove Park

A scenic park with lush green grass and scattered fallen leaves. Mature trees with broad branches provide partial shade. A bench is situated in the middle of the grassy area. Houses are visible in the background under a clear blue sky. — CoxandCoHomes.co.uk

Hove Park is a great local spot where people go to walk their dogs, sit with a picnic or - for those who can’t sit still for long - get involved in a range of activities, as the park boasts football pitches, tennis courts and even a bowling green. With something for everyone, it’s a top spot for a picnic.

What makes this park extra special is the miniature railway running through it (because who doesn’t love one of those!). For more information on the railway and when you can hop onboard for a ride through the park, click here for the Facebook page of the Brighton and Hove Society of Miniature Locomotive Engineers - all aboard!

Royal Pavilion Gardens

People sit on the grass and walk in a park filled with trees and greenery, enjoying a sunny day. In the background, a large and ornate historical building with domes and intricate architecture is visible. — CNTraveler.com

This beautiful Regency garden surrounds the magnificent Royal Pavilion, giving locals and visitors a green haven in the heart of the city. The gardens are maintained under strict organic guidelines in a ‘nature assisted’ form of management that promotes and supports bio-diversity within the gardens, and the varied plant life attracts an amazing collection of butterflies, birds and bees, as well as grey squirrels, robins and chaffinches.

Given its very central location, the Royal Pavillion Gardens could get quite busy on a great day for a picnic, but it certainly deserves its place in our Top 5 list. For more information on the gardens click here.

St Ann’s Well Gardens

A lush green park with walking paths and vibrant trees on a sunny day. Two people stroll along the path, one pushing a stroller. People can be seen relaxing and engaging in various activities in the background, enjoying the peaceful setting under a clear blue sky. — LittleForestNurseries.com

A treat for tree-lovers (and who doesnt love a good, strong tree?) our final stop on this Top 5 tour of Brighton’s best picnic spots is St Ann’s Well Gardens, with a healthy selection of trees on offer; take shade from the summer sun under native and exotic trees, including the Horse Chestnut, Judas, Poplar, Dawn Redwood and Elm trees.

Within the park there is a fish pond, a sensory garden and a conservation area, and the Park Rangers work closely with local schools, providing an area that the children have designed themselves. Click here for more information and, wherever you decide upon, enjoy your picnic!