While this summer’s weather has not been particularly conducive to picnicking, I for one will not be deterred from the joy I find in such an activity. Picnics are great (apart from when it rains and one has to eat sandwiches under a tree). But even then, depending on who you are with, it can be humorous, fun, and soggy all at the same time. So, for when we do get those glimpses of sun, or in the least dry weather, here are some of my favourite places to have a picnic in our lovely town of Wymondham.
The level of your picnic can vary from an extravagant array of home-prepared food with many of your closest friends and family on the largest picnic blanket possible, to taking a moment to enjoy a packed lunch alone enjoying nature. I support all manifestations of the word picnic.
Kett’s Park is one of my favourite spots. With its size, you can picnic without disturbance from other parkgoers, and there’s a choice of either a large grass area or several benches dotted around the perimeter. If you have young children, there is the fenced-off play area and even a few tennis courts. Overall, I'd say that Kett’s Park is a strong choice for a picnic location.
Following on, Tolls Meadow is another winner, specifically when it comes to spotting wildlife. I have mentioned Tolls Meadow previously in another one of my Vic’s Picks but I have to mention it again because it's just that good. In the photo accompanying this article, you can see me ready to enjoy a picnic in rather rainy conditions. On this particular occasion, a bench with good tree cover was preferred to a blanket on the ground. When the weather is better I like to lay a blanket somewhere in the wooded area of the meadow. However, when it's drizzly, the two benches by the cemetery side of the meadow work wonderfully.
Continuing with my focus on meadows, Becketswell Meadow is also a top contender. It makes for a stunning view with its views of the abbey through the tree line. The Becketswell Meadow offers lots of nice grassy areas to lay your blanket, alongside some benches and a more wooded area. I remember telling my friends as a child that I managed to climb to the very tallest part of a tree at Becketswell Meadow, but how true that was I'm not certain.
Finally, but very fondly, last on my list is the Lizard. It's great for dogs and has a couple of lovely trails. I like to walk across the marshy area through the trees to then reward myself with a picnic in the large grassy area, but you can skip the walk and just enter the parkside. Much like Tolls Meadow the Lizard is a great place to see some wildlife, as well as some interesting plants and flowers.
Hopefully, my article has helped you rekindle any interest in picnicking which might have been dulled by the recent poor weather. Whether you wish to commit yourself entirely to the grandest picnic Wymondham has ever seen or simply take a moment outside with a sandwich, I hope you enjoy yourself and the wonderful picnic spots Wymondham has to offer.
