Wednesday, 15 May 2013

Win a Belvoir Picnic Hamper!

I know. It's hardly picnic weather. But it will be soon, surely?

 Last summer I mean, last weekend we had a lovely picnic at the top of West Keal hill (yes, there are hills in Lincolnshire) with spectacular views over half the county and across to Norfolk. And we had the weather, too. Remember? Sun and warmth and on Bank Holiday Monday. We had some delicious food washed down with a bottle of Belvoir sparkling presse. Lovely.



On the basis that summer must be only just around the corner Belvoir is offering you the chance to win one of their picnic hampers today. In case you don't know, Belvoir makes the most delicious cordials, presses and fruit crushes using 100% natural ingredients (including flowers and fruit from the farm) and all mixed with water from the local spring. Mary Manners began making cordials in her kitchen in the 1970s, infusing elderflowers and pressing the fruit grown on the family farm and the business has gone from strength to strength ever since.

Anyway, if you fancy having a luxury picnic courtesy of Belvoir all you have to do is leave me a quick comment between now and next Wednesday telling me where you'd like to have the picnic. I'll pick one winner at random (I won't judge your choice of venue, honest!) and then it'll be over to you.

Oh, and the great British weather!



This competition is now closed. Thanks to everyone who entered, congratulations to the winner Amanda Oakley and better luck next time to the everyone else. If you'd like to support my next book The Glorious Dead - now crowdfudning with Booker-nominated publisher Unbound - then click here for more details: https://unbound.com/books/the-glorious-dead
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151 comments:

  1. Rhian15 May 2013 at 11:10

    I tend to keep things simple – we've got a large and gorgeous local park (Victoria Park in Bath) so I'd head down there with a picnic, and Harry could run around the playground afterwards.

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  2. BNM15 May 2013 at 11:49

    We love going to a secret garden near us (which has slides and a stream for paddling and lots of lawn!) It also has fruit you can buy when they're ripe!

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  3. jodenan15 May 2013 at 14:39

    Bolsover Castle would be nice.

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  4. Lucinda Barton15 May 2013 at 14:41

    Oh Id love to have a picnic on the lawn at Agatha Christies house in Devon. Obviously Id like sunny weather too. But I think it would be gorgeous to have the huge house behind you on a sweeping lawn with the sea in front of you :D

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  5. ashleigh allan15 May 2013 at 17:58

    Somewhere with a nice park for the kids to play at and a nice view!


    @ashlallan

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  6. Hele15 May 2013 at 19:34

    Anywhere in the Gower, Swansea. It's my favourite place in Britain :)

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  7. Expat Mum15 May 2013 at 20:32

    Oooh, in my mum's lovely back garden. We're coming over in June (so you can send it to me at her house!) The smell of an English garden on a summer evening is almost bringing me to tears as I write. I can't wait! Family gatherings, hours and hours of daylight, my kids spending precious time with the only cousins they have.....
    Aaah!

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  8. Paul Wilson15 May 2013 at 21:05

    On the Lincolnshire Wolds.

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  9. Tracy K Nixon15 May 2013 at 21:07

    I love to take the kids and dog into the countryside for a picnic - we often go to Slayley in Northumberand as there are some lovely quiet spots by the river. We live by the sea but don't tend to picnic on the beach - there is nothing more awful than sandy sandwiches! YUK!

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  10. Beky Austerberry15 May 2013 at 21:07

    I would go to a local (ruined) castle called Sandal Castle. Me and the kids love it there!!


    Thanks for the great giveaway

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  11. Tracey Peach15 May 2013 at 21:08

    On A Lovely Sandy Beach xxx

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  12. anthony harrington15 May 2013 at 21:12

    on Bodmin Moor, Cornwall on a sunny day

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  13. laura banks15 May 2013 at 21:12

    on the sand dunes where i live used to go when i was a kid

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  14. Pixie MseComper Wolfe15 May 2013 at 21:14

    I like to have a picnic in Battersea Park :)

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  15. Mark Finch15 May 2013 at 21:28

    Pennard beach on the Gower Peninsula

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  16. Maine Blue15 May 2013 at 21:30

    On the beaches at Zakynthos whilst
    watching the baby turtles hatch

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  17. Charley Foulds15 May 2013 at 21:33

    at our local park, tilgate!

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  18. Sue Hodges15 May 2013 at 21:35

    on top of the white cliffs of Dover - watching the ferries sailing in and out of Dover docks - yes sad I know!!

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  19. steven15 May 2013 at 21:40

    I love a picnic on Formby Beach

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  20. lablass15 May 2013 at 21:41

    In Trenant Woods near Looe with the dogs

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  21. Stuart McKenzie15 May 2013 at 21:44

    In the Wyre Forest - just up the road from our house.

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  22. Ellie B-l15 May 2013 at 21:49

    I'd have the picnic in my local park and feed the ducks at the same time.

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  23. Louise Smith15 May 2013 at 21:52

    The garden with our 4 year old daughter and her dolls and teddies!

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  24. Sally C15 May 2013 at 21:54

    Appletreewick in Yorkshire Dales, beside the river. Perfect on a summer day

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  25. Toni Quandt15 May 2013 at 21:55

    on the grounds of Arundel castle is amazing!

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  26. kathleen hooper15 May 2013 at 22:06

    the beach just by Bamburgh Castle

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  27. Abby Carroll15 May 2013 at 22:09

    would love to have it at Virginia Waters, what beautiful scenery over the lake and so big so you dont feel overcrowded

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  28. Axagem15 May 2013 at 22:14

    Anywhere where there is guaranteed sunshine. Caribbean springs to mind

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  29. Vanessa Cox15 May 2013 at 22:32

    Somewhere nice in the Cotswolds :)

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  30. Erised77715 May 2013 at 22:40

    Bolton Abbey is my favourite place for a picnic and I'd share it with my 4 dogs

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  31. Zoe G15 May 2013 at 22:45

    Buxton Park, it is lovely up there in the summer for a picnic with the kids

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  32. Heather Haigh15 May 2013 at 22:47

    Ilkley Moor, love it there.

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  33. jillwebb15 May 2013 at 23:04

    Rendlesham Forest with hubby and the dogs and some sunshine

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  34. Alison15 May 2013 at 23:07

    I like to picnic in the local park, where the kids can feed the ducks as well

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  35. Kieran15 May 2013 at 23:12

    In Australia with my nephews.

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  36. Caroline Hemple15 May 2013 at 23:15

    I'd like to have a picnic at the zoo.

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  37. Anne15 May 2013 at 23:15

    Kinnoull Hill Woodland Park

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  38. Oliviac258215 May 2013 at 23:17

    In London's Hyde Park after a day of sightseeing with the kids!

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  39. Lynsey Buchanan15 May 2013 at 23:24

    Beecraigs Country Park, West Lothain

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  40. Penny Lee15 May 2013 at 23:26

    Warwick Castle

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  41. Teresa Lee15 May 2013 at 23:32

    Betws-y-Coed, Snowdonia

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  42. Linda Aitchison15 May 2013 at 23:40

    A beautiful Northumbrian beach.

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  43. Angela Sandhu16 May 2013 at 00:11

    Syon park

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  44. Allan Smith16 May 2013 at 03:57

    Hyde Park

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  45. Michelle Muirhead16 May 2013 at 07:05

    In the beautiful grounds of Quarry Bank Mill, Styal, beside the river Bollin

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  46. Valerie Swift16 May 2013 at 08:09

    I would love to take the kids to Vrynwy Lake to have a picnic

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  47. Joanne Mapp16 May 2013 at 08:32

    We love spending the day at Dedham in Essex. The scenery is fantastic.

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  48. Kenneth Nash16 May 2013 at 08:56

    The bathing beauties weekend at Mablethorpe

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  49. Caroline Clarke16 May 2013 at 09:18

    I'd love to have a picnic in Newstead Abbey or Sherwood Forest or Thieves Wood! :) Or maybe even at Gunthorpe bridge!

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  50. Liz Denial16 May 2013 at 10:04

    My favourite picnic spot is Tarn Hows in the Lake District

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  51. Alan C16 May 2013 at 10:19

    in Castle Park, Colchester

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  52. Kelly Koya16 May 2013 at 10:25

    Windsor great park

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  53. savorelli16 May 2013 at 11:02

    Hampstead Heath

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  54. Will Bailey16 May 2013 at 11:15

    Midsummer common - Cambridge

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  55. jenni_thorpeuk16 May 2013 at 11:26

    kingsbury water park

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  56. Deborah Munn16 May 2013 at 11:48

    Chatsworth House Gardens

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  57. David Paterson16 May 2013 at 12:18

    Loch Lomond

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  58. Em S16 May 2013 at 12:40

    A nice picnic by the seaside is lovely, let's hope we get the weather for it!

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  59. Vicki Crompton16 May 2013 at 13:19

    At Cannop ponds in the Forest of Dean- the kids can feed the ducks!

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  60. sandy16 May 2013 at 13:40

    on the beach :-)

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  61. Suzanne Cooke16 May 2013 at 14:44

    In Hamsterley forest under the huge trees, its so quiet and peaceful.

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  62. Rachie Littleme16 May 2013 at 14:44

    At the park (hopefully in the sun!). :-)

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  63. Stephanie Cheung-Tsang16 May 2013 at 15:03

    I'd like to have a picnic on the beach.

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  64. Cecelia Allen16 May 2013 at 15:53

    I'd like to have a picnic at a little hideaway bay, castlehaven on the Isle of Wight, It is so peaceful.

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  65. Val Hartley16 May 2013 at 17:56

    I would have a picnic at "The Yorkshire Sculpture Park" with my 3 grandchildren.

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  66. Charlotte16 May 2013 at 19:42

    I'd have it at a park near my house - it has a lovely lake to walk by and then some rose gardens at the end with benches.

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  67. eleanor7316 May 2013 at 19:59

    I'd take it round to my Mum's house and we'd picnic in her back garden!!

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  68. Ann Weir16 May 2013 at 20:12

    we'd take it with us on our trip to thomas land :-)

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  69. Fee Edwards Mse16 May 2013 at 20:28

    I'd take it out to the beach during the lovely, long summer hols - can't wait!

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  70. Andy Harris16 May 2013 at 21:48

    on the moon, different is always good

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  71. raj sandhu16 May 2013 at 22:31

    I'd love to spend more time enjoying our garden

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  72. Victoria_CosmeticCravings16 May 2013 at 23:21

    At the top of Arthur's seat in Edinburgh, although it may be rather windy!

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  73. Andrew Dommett17 May 2013 at 04:13

    My back Garden is great

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  74. Solange17 May 2013 at 06:03

    My local park

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  75. Tracey Belcher17 May 2013 at 08:24

    At Leeds Castle - "The loveliest castle in the world"

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  76. stacey webb17 May 2013 at 20:58

    in the New Forest surrounded by ponies - love it down there

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  77. amanda_oakley17 May 2013 at 21:48

    At Bolton Abbey - I have so many happy childhood memories of picnics there

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  78. Tammy Tudor17 May 2013 at 21:50

    on a beach :)

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  79. Mike18 May 2013 at 13:23

    On Southsea beach

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  80. Angie Allen18 May 2013 at 14:34

    Isle of wight

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  81. Julie Silver Davies18 May 2013 at 16:10

    I love picnics - my favourite place would be The River Dee at Chester

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  82. Mark Palmer18 May 2013 at 18:33

    Southport beach

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  83. Anonymous18 May 2013 at 19:05

    Nolita's McNally Jackson Books has a new stickers robot greeting card came.

    my blog - design stickers

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  84. Ruth Gee Grover18 May 2013 at 22:06

    My son lives near beautiful Loch Lomond...we go there by the lochside often to picnic..Kris is 5 and loves it

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  85. Gary Topley19 May 2013 at 12:06

    Chatsworth House x

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  86. Julie Hayes19 May 2013 at 15:07

    Whiterocks beach, Portrush. The best beach in N Ireland!

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  87. Kristy Leanne Brown19 May 2013 at 19:15

    On Weymouth beach

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  88. Hollie Posthill19 May 2013 at 22:09

    I'd go up to the top of Ilkley Moor for our family picnic - absolutely stunning views there and some great rocks to climb. Otely Chevin would be choice b - slightly quieter too x

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  89. Jonathan Reed19 May 2013 at 22:18

    In the new forest

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  90. Jenna Dick19 May 2013 at 23:11

    Malham - the views are spectacular and look like a scene from Lord of the Rings.

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  91. Emma Jackson20 May 2013 at 08:27

    Brimham Rocks, a beautiful place near where I live x

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  92. Janet Dring20 May 2013 at 10:53

    We love having picnics in castle grounds

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  93. Rebecca Shelton20 May 2013 at 15:29

    down by the mere where i live.

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  94. Sarah Mcknight20 May 2013 at 15:31

    Down by the local river

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  95. leanne williams20 May 2013 at 16:15

    In the new forest

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  96. ISABELLE20 May 2013 at 17:44

    GARDEN :]

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  97. stephen holman20 May 2013 at 19:05

    Anywhere with guaranteed sunshine!! :) the lake district would be my choice otherwise

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  98. Sarah Redfern20 May 2013 at 21:24

    Sherwood Pines Forest Park is a nice spot for a picnic and a family bike ride, providing the picnic doesn't contain to many cakes :-) x

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  99. Charlotte Morris20 May 2013 at 21:25

    Greenwich Park overlooking the city skyline

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  100. Leigh Larkin20 May 2013 at 22:18

    the beach! But could we have some sun first please! :)

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  101. Teresa Barnard Mse20 May 2013 at 23:09

    On the South Downs somewhere, visiting there next week, so fingers crossed!

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  102. Lisa Mse Ellison21 May 2013 at 00:34

    I'm lucky that I live between The Quantocks and Exmoor both are stunning but I would take the family to Exmoor for a picnic.

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  103. Karen A Barrett21 May 2013 at 06:53

    White Coppice, not been for years. You drive up through Rivington, park next to the cricket pitch, it even has a Pavillion and a few cottages, then climb up the hillside past the stream and Bobs your uncle... ideal picnic spot. Children can go rock hopping after lunch :0)

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  104. Fran Morgan21 May 2013 at 08:21

    We have Heaton Park in Manchester. Some lovely spots. I'll be returning up north soon and remember that place from childhood, so would be lovely to be able to have a picnic by way of a catchup with the fam!

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  105. alexlukeshelby21 May 2013 at 09:19

    I love the Lake District, this is a perfect place for a picnic

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  106. Robyn Logan Clarke21 May 2013 at 11:42

    High Force - Teesdale

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  107. Steve Mse W21 May 2013 at 11:49

    Quite frankly anywhere!

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  108. Stacey Wardle21 May 2013 at 13:04

    Jesmond Dene in Newcastle :)

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  109. Rach Riches21 May 2013 at 13:13

    I would love a picnic in the grounds of Packwood House a gorgeous National Trust house local to me

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  110. Veronica Therawati21 May 2013 at 13:42

    Carsington Water Derbyshire

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  111. Karen R21 May 2013 at 13:44

    I'd like to go to Bolton Abbey!

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  112. Niki Barter21 May 2013 at 14:31

    I would have it in our back garden nice and safe for the kiddies to run around :)

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  113. Hazel Lemar21 May 2013 at 15:30

    Blenheim Palace

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  114. Farhana Haque21 May 2013 at 15:59

    Alexandra Palace :)

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  115. jokow21 May 2013 at 16:46

    Hyde Park

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  116. Victoria21 May 2013 at 17:27

    I'd picnic in my back garden - it's lovely now :)

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  117. Lisa Wilkinson21 May 2013 at 17:41

    Lotherton Hall, near Leeds.

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  118. Lesley Bain21 May 2013 at 18:10

    Lossiemouth beach :) x

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  119. Melanie Gardiner21 May 2013 at 18:41

    Brighstone Forest on the Isle of Wight

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  120. ♫ Alison M ♪21 May 2013 at 19:13

    Holy Island

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  121. Joanne Blunt21 May 2013 at 20:09

    Rhossili Bay in the Gower. I love it down there.

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  122. Lila B Taylor21 May 2013 at 21:05

    St Michaels Mount in Cornwall

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  123. Kelly21 May 2013 at 21:08

    In our back garden as that means it will no longer be a forest of weeds and thistles but my husband will have actually finished the landscaping job he started last march!

    ReplyDelete
  124. Rachel Blackburn21 May 2013 at 21:19

    Easdale Tarn in Cumbria

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  125. lorraine anderson21 May 2013 at 21:24

    Oban in Scotalnd beside the sea

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  126. Marie Redding21 May 2013 at 21:29

    I would just love to have a picnic inside the grounds of Lincoln Castle, I love the history x

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  127. Georgie21 May 2013 at 21:47

    In my mum's garden - we don't see her enough.

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  128. P Phillips21 May 2013 at 21:48

    At my local country park.

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  129. Natalie Holland21 May 2013 at 22:28

    I think we'd go to castle howard, they have some lovely grounds and it's close by! :) x Thank you!

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  130. Lani Nash21 May 2013 at 22:31

    Hampstead Heath

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  131. Holly Detre21 May 2013 at 23:28

    The river bank in our village.
    The water is shallow for the children, not too far to walk, and it's very beautiful :)

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  132. Nicola McConnell21 May 2013 at 23:54

    Vindolanda on Hadrian's Wall is a lovely place, especially down by the Museum where there's a lovely little replica Roman temple and replica Roman statues. Loads of little birds come to join in your picnic, too and I'd love to picnic here!

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  133. Kelli Flanagan22 May 2013 at 00:02

    We love The Riverside country park in Rainham Kent, So peaceful

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  134. Unknown22 May 2013 at 00:19

    Colley Hill near Reigate, stunning views.

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  135. Chris Fliss22 May 2013 at 00:29

    In St James Park overlooking the lake and feed the ducks as well,perfect summer afternoon :-)

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  136. Angie Hoggett22 May 2013 at 01:21

    by the beach at Seaham, lovely views over the coast

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  137. Alisa Moore22 May 2013 at 01:47

    Tatton Park

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  138. Jen Boucher22 May 2013 at 01:53

    Burton Dassett Hills

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  139. Hannah Whitling22 May 2013 at 03:23

    Ideally it'd be on a nice sandy beach anywhere, with warm sunshine. Would be nice and relaxing.

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  140. lyn22 May 2013 at 09:15

    Regents park

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  141. Trupti Dave22 May 2013 at 09:48

    Watermead Park overlooking the lake, in Leicester

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  142. Vanessa Miller22 May 2013 at 10:46

    In the new forest

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  143. Claire Wilkinson22 May 2013 at 11:18

    behind our house is a big beck, take kids over the bridge (tell them its billy goats gruff) then there is a big quarry and park, we spend all our time there in summer x

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  144. alice22 May 2013 at 13:58

    sissinghurst gardens

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  145. Hollie Adlam22 May 2013 at 14:37

    At the zoo!

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  146. Alli Sherwood22 May 2013 at 15:37

    As I am writing this the weather is gorgeous and I would love to be at the beach right now having a picnic

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  147. Jamie22 May 2013 at 16:46

    I think Longleat, we went for a picnic on my Birthday in July and it was great :)

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  148. Ellen Stafford22 May 2013 at 20:41

    I would like to have a picnic with my partner and dog in Alexandra Park which over looks Bath.

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  149. Faye Lester22 May 2013 at 20:46

    On top of a mountain!! Hopefully everything wouldn't blow away :-)

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  150. Judi P Luscombe22 May 2013 at 22:44

    Ideally a secluded Spanish beach

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  151. dotterel23 May 2013 at 09:48

    Congratulations Amanda - you're the winner! Email me your contact details and I'll make sure the picnic hamper gets to you. Can't guarantee the weather, though!

    ReplyDelete

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