With longer days and the first signs of spring appearing, many people are looking forward to simple outdoor pleasures again, including picnics in parks, riverside lunches and relaxed afternoons in the sunshine.
A new study from campervan rental platform RVezy has identified the best cities in the UK where picnicking is easiest. It analysed seven factors including average temperatures, sunshine hours, rainfall, park availability, safety levels, air quality and distance to green spaces.
Milton Keynes tops the list
Milton Keynes ranked first overall thanks largely to its abundance of parks. The city recorded 14.75 parks per 10,000 residents, the highest figure in the study, and residents typically live just 314 metres from their nearest green space. Low rainfall and easy park access also helped secure the top spot.
Canterbury came second, performing particularly well for weather conditions. The Kent city ranked third for average temperatures and fifth for sunshine hours, alongside strong safety scores and good park availability.
Oxford placed third, with its historic parks and riverside green spaces contributing to high rankings for accessibility and moderate weather.
Coastal cities also perform well
Chelmsford and Southend-on-Sea completed the top five. Chelmsford benefits from relatively low rainfall and strong safety levels, while Southend offers some of the most reliable weather for outdoor gatherings. The seaside city ranked first for lowest annual rainfall and third for sunshine hours.
Other cities making the top ten include Cambridge, Worcester, Exeter, Portsmouth and Norwich, all combining favourable weather with accessible green spaces. Portsmouth stood out in particular as the sunniest location in the study, recording nearly 2,000 sunshine hours annually.
“Picnics are one of the simplest ways people connect with the outdoors,” says Michael McNaught from RVezy. “When parks are plentiful and easy to reach, people are far more likely to enjoy them.”
As spring arrives, these findings might help you plan your campervan getaway.
