With summer on the way, Forestry England has shared their picks of the best staycation spots to have a picnic in the countryside.

Whether travellers head out into the countryside for a long walk or simply to get some fresh air, taking a moment’s rest for something to eat can help visitors appreciate their surroundings.

A spokesperson for Forestry England suggested that bringing a picnic along with them is one of the best ways for tourists to experience the wonders of the countryside.

They explained: “Picnicking is a great way to enjoy the forests, and no matter where you are in the country, you won’t have to travel far to enjoy your food while taking in the spectacular landscape.

“From babbling brooks to quaint open heathland and lofty crags, you’re sure to find an alfresco dining spot unlike any other.”

According to Forestry England, one of the best spots to have a picnic is on the Lodge Pond Trail in Alice Holt, Hampshire.

This particular walk takes tourists through a vibrant mix of broadleaf woodland and mature pine forests, ultimately leading to a manmade pond that has been a part of the area for centuries.

Originally used by monks to breed carp, visitors who stop for a picnic near Lodge Pond should keep a close eye out for signs of wildlife, with moorhens, dragonflies and various types of butterfly regularly spotted.

Forestry England also suggested that tourists can have an enjoyable picnic during their time at Victory Glade whilst visiting The National Arboretum in Gloucestershire.

A rather secluded part of the arboretum, Victory Glade’s centrepiece is a large Douglas fir tree that was planted in 1856 to signify the end of the Crimean War.

Not only does the large tree provide shade, or possibly shelter, from the weather, it can also be a good spot to find roe deers, with many frequenting the area.

Finally, the organisation recommended taking a trip to Mortimer Forest, which is on the border between Herefordshire and Shropshire, bordering the west of Wales.

Visitors stopping for a picnic in this forest can choose from a wide variety of different trails and try to find the ellusive fallow deer, a species only found in the area.

Forestry England also noted that Mortimer Forest is particularly accessible, offering three car parks and plenty of facilities such as bathrooms.