The best picnic spots in and around Honiton

Honiton makes an easy base for eating outdoors, with the River Otter close to the centre and countryside, villages and the Jurassic Coast within a short drive. You can choose a shaded lawn for a quick family lunch, a meadow beside the water, an exposed hill for wide views or a pebble beach for a full day out. Visiting in small groups also makes sense, because a local bakery, deli or pub can supply the rest and turn a simple sandwich into a proper Devon picnic.

Plan around the kind of day you want rather than distance alone. Some places have play equipment and cafés; others reward walkers with silence and long views. Weather can change quickly on the hills and coast, so checking the forecast, rainfall and wind is as useful as knowing where to park. Australians should remember that the seasons run in reverse: British summer falls during Australia’s winter, making June to August an ideal time for an English outdoor lunch. For a quick at-a-glance comparison, the main options are:

Picnic spot	Best for	Distance from Honiton	Main strengths	Main catch
Honiton Riverside Park	Families and quick lunches	In the town centre	Lawns, play area, river path and nearby cafés	Busy at weekends and little shelter in poor weather
Aylesbeare Common	Walkers, dogs and open-country picnics	8 km / 5 miles	Heathland, gorse and broad views	Muddy paths and few refreshments
Otterton Riverside Park	Families and cyclists	13 km / 8 miles	River meadows, picnic tables, play area and parking	Summer crowds and limited services
Wellington Monument	Hilltop views and active outings	11 km / 7 miles	Wooded approach, panoramic outlook and walking trails	Exposed summit and possible event closures
Donkey Sanctuary	Families and animal lovers	6 km / 4 miles	Signed picnic area, open grounds and visitor facilities	Charity admission and site-specific rules
Branscombe Beach	Seaside picnics and village walks	21 km / 13 miles	Pebbles, thatched cottages, coastal footpaths and cafés	Steep paths, tides and seasonal parking restrictions

Riverside parks and easy family stops

Start with Honiton Riverside Park, the simplest choice for families, older visitors and anyone without a car. The lawns beside the River Otter offer level space for a rug or folding chairs, while the riverside path, play equipment and nearby town-centre amenities make it easy to stretch the outing. Bakeries and cafés in the centre are useful for hot drinks, fresh pastries or a lunch top-up. On a bright day, walk south along the water after eating rather than choosing a separate destination.

Otterton Riverside Park, roughly 13 kilometres from town, brings a broader meadow, picnic tables, a play area and parking beside the same river. It is a natural stop on the Otter Trail and works well for walkers and cyclists who want a gentle outing rather than a strenuous climb. The open grass can look deceptively exposed, so bring a wind layer and use the trees for shade. Check seasonal opening information for park facilities before setting out.

Australian picnic habits translate easily here: pack food in a cool bag or esky, bring ice bricks, and carry a flask rather than relying on a kiosk. Sunscreen and a hat still matter because low cloud does not block all UV, while Devon’s rain makes a compact waterproof cover more useful than a large umbrella. Eat on the grass if the ground is dry, and move to a picnic table when the meadow is muddy or the forecast turns showery.

Heathland, hilltop views and woodland shade

Aylesbeare Common provides a completely different setting about five miles south of Honiton. The open heath, patches of gorse and long paths appeal to walkers who want space, silence and views across East Devon. Picnic near the parking area or on a dry grassy edge, where there is less risk of the route becoming a quagmire. Dogs are welcome in many parts of the common, although signs around protected wildlife areas should always be followed. There are no substantial facilities on the heath, so carry food, water and everything needed for a dry exit.

For a higher-lying picnic, head to Wellington Monument, around seven miles from Honiton. A wooded approach leads to wide views over the surrounding countryside, making the climb worthwhile on a clear day. It suits active visitors who want a proper walk before lunch and have brought enough layers for an exposed summit. The property is managed by the National Trust, so follow its signs and any event restrictions. A windy, overcast visit is less appealing than a settled day, when the scenery becomes the main attraction.

The Donkey Sanctuary near Monkton offers another practical option for families and groups with children. Use the clearly signed picnic area, which provides a convenient base beside the visitor grounds and animal attractions. It is especially useful when a child wants activity between eating, although entry arrangements and any catering rules should be checked on the sanctuary’s website. Nearby Roundwell Springs also deserves consideration for a quieter woodland lunch, with streams, shaded paths and grassy clearings in the National Trust’s care near Seaton.

Coastal picnics for longer day trips

Branscombe is a rewarding coastal choice, roughly 13 miles from Honiton. The village itself has thatched cottages, old buildings and a village shop, but the real draw is the walk to the sea. The coast path descends steeply to a broad pebble beach, providing exercise before the picnic and plenty of space to sit above the high-tide line. Bring your own food because beach facilities are seasonal, and check the tide forecast before going down. The return climb can feel longer after lunch, especially for children or anyone with limited mobility.

Sidmouth offers a more conventional seaside day with a long beach, promenade, independent shops and several cafés. It is a sensible choice when easy access to food, ice creams and indoor shelter matters as much as the view itself. Stay on the beach and designated areas near the promenade, keeping well back from the red cliffs because rockfall can occur without warning. Lyme Regis, about 42 kilometres away, is another strong option for a longer drive, with a dramatic curved bay, a historic seafront and ample tourist facilities.

Even a wet or chilly outing can work when warmth and shelter are planned properly, as this guide to winter outdoor breaks illustrates. Around Honiton, woodland and sheltered town-centre stops are the safest choices when rain is likely; exposed hills and beaches are less predictable. Check the forecast on the day, take waterproof layers rather than one heavy coat, and allow extra time if the ground has been wet for several days.

Markets, village food and pub extras

Honiton’s market heritage adds another dimension to an outing. The town is famous for lace, and its regular street trading and periodic Allhallows Market mix food with crafts, antiques and handmade goods rather than resembling a permanent supermarket. Traders set up for particular days, and the selection can change, so check current market listings before relying on a specific stall. The visitor website’s guide to Honiton's local attractions is also useful for pairing lunch with a museum, wildlife attraction or seasonal event nearby.

Australians commonly do one large grocery run at Coles or Woolworths before heading into the countryside. In Honiton, the equivalent is more likely to involve a Co-op, an independent grocer, a bakery and specialist food shops, so mixing a few smaller purchases can supply a picnic without stocking a car with every item. The British habit of shopping for one meal at a time works particularly well here. Local produce, bakery goods, cheese and preserves can create a more memorable lunch than pre-packed sandwiches, although availability and opening hours vary through the week.

A pub can complete the day, but customs differ from Australia. “BYO”, familiar in many Australian states, has a different practical meaning at a licensed Devon pub: drinks are normally ordered and served on the premises rather than brought from outside. A cream tea with scones, clotted cream and jam is the classic local alternative to a picnic basket. Calling a late lunch an “arvo” picnic will sound familiar in Australia, while “afternoon tea” or “early evening” may sound more natural to Devon locals.

Plan, pack and get outdoors

Build the picnic around the forecast, the group and the facilities available at your destination. Carry a flask, water, food in sealed containers, rubbish bags, a warm layer, waterproofs and something with which to sit on damp grass. In Britain, a barbecue may not be allowed at the intended spot because of fire risk or local restrictions, so leave the portable cooker at home unless a designated area is clearly available. Sunscreen, insect repellent and hand wipes are useful additions, as is a small rubbish bag for food wrappers and tissues.

Allow extra time for rural lanes, limited parking and bus services that may run less often than expected from an Australian visitor’s point of view. UK signs show distances in miles, and a short road on the map can become slower through narrow villages, tractors or holiday traffic. Check opening dates, parking charges, dog rules and accessibility before leaving Honiton. The former tourist information centre has ceased trading while a replacement service is being developed, so current online listings and on-site signs should guide the practical details.

Choose the setting that suits your group, make the shopping list, and check the weather before setting off. A riverside lawn offers the easiest family outing, a heath or hill rewards walkers, and a beach makes a memorable coastal day. Pick one place, pack the basket and give yourself the time to enjoy it without rushing back to the car.