Portsmouth in named in the top 10 UK cities for a picnic day out
Picnicking is a beloved British pastime, but not every city makes it equally convenient
Portsmouth has been named as among the top 10 UK cities for a picnic day out, according to a new study.
A new study by RVezy analysed 59 UK cities to find the best places for a picnic, examining metrics such as average temperatures, sunshine hours, rainfall, access to parks, safety levels, air quality and the average distance residents need to travel to reach green space. Each city was scored across these metrics to reveal where Brits can most easily enjoy an outdoor lunch, and where the odds of rain, pollution or scarce parkland might dampen the experience.
Portsmouth has been ranked the ninth-best city in the UK for picnics, achieving a total score of 64.23. The coastal city stands out most for its exceptional sunshine levels, making it one of the most reliable places in the country for outdoor dining.
Weather conditions are the strongest advantage for Portsmouth. It records 1,976 hours of sunshine per year, ranking first in the entire study, alongside an average maximum temperature of 15°C, placing it 11th. Rainfall sits at 723 mm annually, ranking 27th, meaning conditions are slightly wetter than some of the top-performing cities but still manageable for outdoor plans.
However, access to green space is a clear weakness. The city has just 1.95 parks per 10,000 people, ranking 49th, and an average distance of 381 metres to the nearest park, placing it 31st. This suggests that while sunny conditions are plentiful, finding nearby picnic spots can be more limited compared with higher-ranked cities.
Liveability factors are mixed. Portsmouth records a safety index of 55.02, ranking 33rd, and an air quality score of 71, placing it 37th, indicating moderate safety and pollution levels compared with other cities in the study.
Overall, the findings suggest that Portsmouth is a standout destination for sunshine-driven picnics, where record-breaking hours of sun help secure its place in the UK’s top ten, despite more limited access to green space and mid-table liveability scores.
Michael McNaught, a spokesperson for RVezy, commented on the study:
“Picnics are one of the simplest ways people connect with the outdoors. You don’t need much planning or equipment, just a patch of grass, a bit of sunshine and some time to relax. What makes the biggest difference is how easy it is for people to reach green spaces without having to travel far or deal with busy roads. In places where parks are plentiful and easy to reach, people tend to use them more often. A short walk to a nearby green space can turn a quick lunch break or a sunny afternoon into something memorable. That accessibility plays a big role in how communities experience outdoor life.”
“Weather obviously matters as well. Areas that receive a good balance of sunshine without too much rainfall naturally make it easier for people to spend time outside. When you combine that with clean air and a sense of safety, the result is an environment where people feel comfortable staying outdoors for longer. Green spaces bring people together. They become places where families meet, friends gather and neighbours cross paths. When towns and cities maintain accessible parks and healthy outdoor environments, it supports wellbeing and encourages people to enjoy simple activities like picnics more regularly.”
List of the best UK cities for picnics:
Rank City Average max temperature (°C) Annual sunshine hours Annual rainfall (mm) Parks per 10,000 people Safety index Air quality index (pollution) Average distance to nearest Park, Public Garden, or Playing Field (m) Total score
1 Milton Keynes 20 30 14 1 48 29 14 72.25
2 Canterbury 3 5 15 3 12 27 47 71.93
3 Oxford 6 14 16 6 18 28 8 68.65
4 Chelmsford 4 11 4 22 8 47 38 66.06
5 Southend-on-Sea 15 3 1 50 55 14 42 66.03
6 Cambridge 9 28 2 8 20 49 11 65.85
7 Worcester 10 16 13 26 19 11 24 65.69
8 Exeter 4 21 40 13 14 9 10 65.15
9 Portsmouth 11 1 27 49 33 37 31 64.23
10 Norwich 26 15 18 9 5 51 20 63.24
11 Bristol 16 9 36 7 27 34 6 62.45
12 Lincoln 36 12 8 26 4 3 54 60.57
13 Brighton and Hove 21 4 32 36 22 30 46 60.39
14 Wrexham 23 20 29 18 13 14 51 60.23
15 Gloucester 2 27 45 28 44 2 5 59.73
16 Bath 13 17 41 33 6 3 52 59.67
17 Cardiff 8 19 59 2 23 31 9 59.02
18 Peterborough 31 10 7 17 46 40 22 58.50
19 St Albans 33 13 24 53 3 31 39 58.44
20 Doncaster 18 29 3 48 56 8 37 57.58