Where to picnic in Wales & the South West? 9 picnic spots
There are few better ways to enjoy the sun than with a picnic by water. Enjoy the serenity and dramatic views of the most impressive feats of engineering on our network as you bite into your sandwich.
And remember, whether you’re on the towpath or in a designated picnic area, please dispose of your rubbish responsibly. If there aren’t any bins around, take your litter home with you to discard.
1. Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, Llangollen Canal
Nicknamed the ‘stream in the sky’, the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct is one of the most impressive structures on our waterways.
At Trevor Basin Visitor’s Centre, you’ll find an outdoor picnic area to enjoy your packed lunch against the beautiful backdrop. After eating, conquer any fears of heights with a walk along the aqueduct. In the Visitor’s Centre, you can learn the aqueduct’s origins in 1795, how it was built and why. You’ll also find toilets, a gift shop, café and trip boats to take you across the aqueduct.
There is a pay and display car park at Trevor Basin. The nearest station is at Ruabon, which is a short bus ride from the canal.
Taking the Llangollen across the River Dee, Pontcysyllte rises 38 metres and runs 307 metres long.
2. Horseshoe Falls, River Dee
Where the River Dee and Llangollen Canal meet, Horseshoe Falls is another engineering masterpiece of Thomas Telford. It may be smaller than Pontcysyllte, but Horseshoe Falls is just as spectacular.
There’s a picnic area at the Falls, where you can soak up nature with the gentle rush of water in the background. There are also a few benches along the towpath.
There is a car park at Horseshoe Falls and the nearest stations are Chirk or Ruabon. There is also a steam railway that runs from Llangollen to Corwen – get off at Berwyn Station to enjoy your picnic by the Falls (check the timetable to make sure it’s running first).
This distinctly horseshoe-shaped 140m long weir feeds water from the river into the canal.
3. Welshpool, Montgomery Canal
One of the prettiest canals on our network, the Monty is a 33-mile-long canal stretching from the Llangollen Canal at Frankton Junction to Newtown, via Welshpool. This town is a popular on walking and cycling routes in the area.
While there are no picnic benches here, there are grassy areas along the canal where you could lay down a picnic blanket. While you’re here, head to the Powysland Museum, a former canal warehouse to learn more about Welshpool and the Montgomery Canal. You’ll also find the old stone wharf where lime and other goods were once off-loaded.
There are several pay & display car parks around the town centre and Welshpool Station is a five-minute stroll to the towpath.
4. Brecon Basin, Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal
At Brecon Basin, you’ll find a picnic area, kid’s play park, café, and trip boats to explore the Mon & Brec from the water.
If you continue along the towpath, there are more picnic benches at the Old Lime Kilns and Brynich Lock and Aqueduct – about a 3.5km walk. The aqueduct is just as worth visiting. Built in 1800, the towpath crosses the aqueduct for scenic views of the River Ust.
There is a carpark at Brecon Basin, and more parking in the town.
The Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal runs through the Brecon Beacons National Park.
5. Goytre Wharf, Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal
At the southern end of the Mon & Brec is Goytre Wharf, near Abergavenny. Once busy with lime kilns processing the limestone, it's now a fantastic place to explore local history and explore nature.
There is plenty of green space, a children’s play area and picnic benches to enjoy your lunch while watching the boats come and go. You'll find a visitor centre at Goytre Wharf, with a gift shop, information, gallery, and coffee shop.
There is limited parking available; the nearest train station is in nearby Abergavenny.
There is plenty to see and do – from hiring a canoe or bicycle to great woodland walks.
This ‘Wonder of the Waterways’ is an exciting spot to pause for lunch while gongoozling the passing boats navigating 29 locks over two miles. Caen Hill is busy with more than just boaters though, you’ll also find several relics of the canal’s industrial past and side pounds bustling with wildlife.
There is a picnic area along the flight, and a café by our floating welcome station – where you can drop in to say ‘hi’ and find out more information about the area.
After your picnic, take a walk to Jubilee Woods, a flourishing woodland of woodland of native trees.
7. Sydney Gardens, Kennet & Avon Canal
Channel your inner Jane Austen and take your picnic hamper (and your most charming accomplices) to Sydney Gardens in Bath. Relax by the canal – which was very new in Austen’s day – with your packed lunch to escape the hustle and bustle of the city.
There is a picnic area and children’s play area here, as well as a museum, two tunnels and an audio trail. At Horseshoe Bridge Lock is a café to stop at for refreshments.
Bath Spa Station is just a few minutes-walk to the canal over Halfpenny Bridge. There is limited two-hour on-street parking or a public pay & display car park at the train station.
Along the towpath, you’ll find boat hire and bike hire to explore the K&A by water or by saddle.
8. Maunsel Lock, Bridgwater & Taunton Canal
Once important for trade, the Bridgwater & Taunton Canal today is a wildlife haven – and the perfect place for a picnic. At the lock, you’ll find a picnic area to enjoy your lunch, as well as a café for other refreshments.
While you’re here, explore the Somerset Space Walk – scale models of the planets along the canal to represent the solar system – and try canoeing or paddleboarding. If you’d prefer to keep your feet firmly dry, venture on the trip boat. There is parking available at the visitor’s centre.
