There is something quietly brilliant about a picnic. No table bookings, no waiting for the bill, no “can we get the kids’ menu?” Just good food, fresh air and a view you did not have to pay for.
If you are staying with us at Quarry Walk Park, you are perfectly placed for some of the best picnic spots in Staffordshire. Some are a short stroll from your lodge door. Others are a scenic 20 to 40 minute drive away. All of them cost little more than the price of a loaf of bread and a few sausage rolls.
Here is our guide to picnicking like a local, starting on site and working outwards.
Why a Picnic Is the Smartest Day Out on Your Holiday
Think of a picnic like a playlist you make yourself instead of paying for the concert. You choose exactly what goes in it, it costs a fraction of the price, and you can enjoy it anywhere you like.
A family lunch out can easily run to £50 or more. A picnic for four, put together from our on-site shop or a quick supermarket stop, might cost £15. Do that three times during a week’s stay and you have saved enough for a full day out, or a very nice bottle of something for the hot tub.
And because Staffordshire is packed with woodland, moorland, lakes and valleys, you are never short of a beautiful place to lay the blanket.
Start On Site: A Woodland Picnic at Quarry Walk Park
Before you even reach for the car keys, remember you are already staying in acres of tranquil woodland. Our own walking trails wind through the trees, and there are plenty of peaceful clearings and grassy spots where you can settle down with a blanket and listen to nothing but birdsong.
Our new activities field is another brilliant picnic spot, and it is completely free to use. Spread the blanket while the kids make the most of the basketball hoop, football goal, hopscotch, giant inflatable football and giant Connect 4.
It is ideal for:
- Lazy first mornings when nobody wants to drive anywhere
- Toddlers who need a run around without a long journey first
- Couples on a romantic glamping break who want a slow, quiet lunch for two
If you are staying in one of our lodges, log cabins or glamping pods, you also have your own outdoor space. A picnic on your veranda as the sun goes down takes some beating. You can read more about what makes our woodland setting special in our post on escaping into woodland tranquillity.
Stock Up Without Leaving the Park
Forgot the ketchup? No problem. Our on-site shop stocks picnic essentials, so you can pick up bread, snacks, drinks and treats without a trip into town. Even better, you can pre-order your groceries before you arrive using our shopping list service, so your picnic supplies are ready and waiting when you check in. Self-catering really does not get easier than that.
Picnic Spots in Staffordshire Within 20 Minutes of the Park
Dimmingsdale, Oakamoor (10 minutes)
Dimmingsdale is one of the Churnet Valley’s worst-kept secrets, and for good reason. Wooded valleys, still millponds and a network of trails make it feel like a slice of the Alps dropped into Staffordshire. Find a bench by the water or spread out on the grass near the Ramblers Retreat, then walk off lunch on one of the marked routes.
Dogs love it here too; see our guide to the best dog-friendly walks in Staffordshire near Alton Towers for more ideas.
Froghall Wharf, Churnet Valley (10 minutes)
A peaceful old canal wharf on the Caldon Canal with canalside picnic tables, gentle towpath walks and the occasional narrowboat squeezing through the famously low Froghall Tunnel. At weekends you may even spot the steam train puffing along the valley. It is flat, pretty and perfect for grandparents and pushchairs.
Tittesworth Water, near Leek (25 minutes)
A large reservoir in the Staffordshire Moorlands, overlooked by the craggy outline of The Roaches. There is a big grassy area with water views, a play area for the kids and a walking trail around the reservoir if you fancy earning your scotch egg. Entry is free with pay and display parking, which keeps the day nicely budget-friendly.
Further Afield: Cannock Chase and the Peak District
Cannock Chase (40 minutes)
Cannock Chase is a designated National Landscape, and it feels like it. Heathland, pine forest and wandering deer, with dedicated picnic areas at Marquis Drive and Birches Valley. Seven Springs is a favourite on warm days, when the shallow spring water becomes a natural paddling spot for little ones. Pack a frisbee and make an afternoon of it.
Ilam Park and Dovedale, Peak District (30 minutes)
Head north and you are into the Peak District in about half an hour. Ilam Park offers riverside lawns with views up to Thorpe Cloud, while nearby Dovedale gives you the famous stepping stones and a valley walk that works up a proper appetite. For routes, parking tips and more inspiration, read our complete guide to visiting the Peak District from Staffordshire.
The Manifold Valley and Thor’s Cave (35 minutes)
The Manifold Way is a flat, traffic-free trail along an old railway line, ideal for bikes and buggies. Climb up to Thor’s Cave for one of the most dramatic lunch views in the county, or stay low and picnic by the river. Either way, bring a camera.
What to Pack (and What to Leave Behind)
Keep it simple. A blanket, a cool bag, plenty of water and a bin bag for your rubbish will cover most trips. Sun cream in summer, an extra layer the rest of the year; this is England, after all.
Leave behind anything glass near water or play areas, and disposable barbecues on Cannock Chase and moorland areas, where fire risk is taken very seriously. Take your litter home if bins are full. The golden rule of picnicking in Staffordshire is to leave each spot exactly as you found it.
Make a Weekend of It
A picnic day pairs beautifully with everything else on your doorstep, from Alton Towers (just 10 minutes away) to market towns like Leek and Ashbourne. If you are planning a longer break, our family weekend itinerary near Alton Towers is a great place to start.
The Short Version
The best picnic spots in Staffordshire start right here at Quarry Walk Park, where acres of woodland and your own veranda are waiting before you even start the car. Within half an hour you can reach Dimmingsdale, Froghall Wharf, Tittesworth Water, Cannock Chase and the edge of the Peak District. Stock up at our on-site shop, or pre-order your supplies before you arrive, and you have a full week of affordable days out sorted.
Ready to plan your escape? Browse our lodges, log cabins and glamping pods, and book direct at https://quarrywalkpark.campmanager.com/20007/Check-Availability/ for the best rates.