Perfect Picnics by The Real Island Food Company

The perfect picnic is all about choosing the right spot, and here on the Island we are spoilt rotten for choice. Whether you are planning a romantic lunch or a family treat, take a look at our fabulous Top Five to enjoy the best of the Island’s coastal gems, hill top views and woodland glades.

Indulge your taste buds with a picnic of the finest Island produce, and you’re sure to have a very special day.

Top Five locations

The ‘Pepper Pot’ St Catherines Down

The Pepper Pot is the affectionate local name given to this medieval lighthouse on the stunning South coast of the Island, above Blackgang. When you get to the top, the views all around are breathtaking that’s if you’ve got any breath left! This is the picnic spot that blows away the cobwebs, gets the kids moving, and leaves you with a real ‘wow’. Access from Blackgang Car Park on the A3055.

Cowes Green

Enjoy the scene at the most famous yachting destination in the world. Cowes Green overlooks the Solent with a glorious view of the days boating action. You won’t be alone but you will have the thrill of the waves and an easy stroll into the quirky, bustling sailing town of Cowes.

Brook Down

Part of the stunning Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty that makes up almost a half of the Island, this impressive site is one of the highest points on the Island; part of the chalk downs that form the ‘backbone’ of the Isle. It is also an important Bronze Age site, with 5 barrows or bronze age burial mounds to run to the top of, or to use as viewpoints. Today it is peaceful and calm, with great views, and a wealth of flora and fauna to enjoy, particularly butterflies and wild flowers.

Part of the famous Tennyson Trail, there are fantastic views across the Solent to the north, and to the English Channel southwards. Location is about half a kilometre (upwards!) from parking off the B3399 inland from Brook village.

Borthwood Copse

If you’re seeking a secluded spot beneath the beauty of the trees, then 60 acre Borthwood Copse at Alverstone is the perfect destination. This fragment of medieval forest is home to ancient oaks, beech, hazel and sweet chestnut. Because of the variety of trees it is also a very popular home for red squirrels, which can often be seen in the branches above you. A welcome shade for summer, Borthwood is great for autumn colour and is carpeted in bluebells in late spring.

Location is Alverstone Road, Apse Heath, off the A3056 Newport-Sandown road

The Landslip

The Landslip is less scary than it sounds! A beautiful, wooded coastal walk on the South East tip of the Island, running approx 2 miles from Bonchurch in the West to Shanklin in the East. Access the Landslip from the A3055 coastal road at upper Bonchurch, Luccombe or Shanklin and walk a 100 yards or the whole way. There are plenty of places for a picnic; close to the car park and café at Smugglers Haven in Upper Bonchurch is a grassy bank with a selection of benches and stunning views out to sea. (useful for an ice cream too!), or at the stunning cliff top where the path meets the village of Luccombe. You may prefer to find a more secluded spot as you wind your way along the path in this ancient woodland, with stunning glimpses of the sea along the way. The natural stone ‘Wishing Seat’ about half way along the trail provides a ready made bench and keeps the children occupied. Be sure to wish for something nice as wishes made here always come true!

The all important food hamper

Make the most of al fresco eating with home made treats and fresh, seasonal produce. Here are our suggestions for picnic heaven:

Lunch or supper

Freshly baked artisan style cob loaf from Graces Bakery, available in white or brown. Simply delicious cut into generous chunks and spread with Phillips Fine Foods Island smoked salmon pate, or freshly picked crab meat from Blakes Fishery at Ventnor. Complete the fish theme with the delicate flavour of Phillips oak roast salmon fillet; tender, flaky and perfection when teamed with a freshly picked Island tomato.

Put together a platter of Island cold meats and take to the hills with the taste of roast sirloin of beef, (from Newbarn Farm in Shorwell), Island cured gammon ham and roast pork. Enhance the already stunning flavours with a handmade relish or condiment from one of our Island speciality producers. Our favourites include The Garlic Farm Garlic and Apricot chutney and Sharon Orchard wholegrain honey mustard.

Taste and ease are tops for a picnic and Arreton Valley tomatoes are a winner here. Try the mini varieties; Santa mini plum, mini cherry and golden mini cherry ( a sweet tomato, golden yellow in colour).

A lazy afternoon picnic with a cheese board, fresh bread or crackers and a chilled bottle of white wine or apple juice is hard to beat. Try the Isle of Wight Cheese Company’s IOW Soft, IOW Blue (Winner of the World Cheese Awards 2007) and Galleybagger.

To top it all linger over a bowl of summer strawberries and cherries and reflect on the rich supply of stunning local food on the Isle of Wight!

For sheer indulgence you can’t beat a cream tea:

Try freshly baked scones from Calbourne Classics at Shalfleet, topped with Calbourne Classics clotted cream and The Village Nursery orchard fruits jam.

Serve with smoked salmon sandwiches made with Graces Bakery sliced granary loaf, a generous spread of Rew Valley butter and Phillips Fine Foods sliced smoked salmon topped with freshly ground black pepper and a squeeze of lemon juice.

For a real treat take along your tiered cake stand and a box of stunningly decorated cup cakes made by Mimi’s Cupcakery in Ventnor.

Accompany with a bottle or two of Sharon Orchard Island grown and pressed apple juice.

All these tasty morsels, cool bags and lots more are available at www.realislandfood.co.uk Order online and enjoy the convenience of home delivery.