Cae Garnedd

You'll find Cae Garnedd tucked away near Bala in Gwynedd, a proper little picnic spot that works best if you're already hiking in the area rather than making a special trip just for it. It's a grassy clearance with decent views across the Snowdonian landscape - nothing flashy, but the kind of place where you can actually spread a blanket and not feel hemmed in by crowds.

The appeal is straightforward: bring sandwiches, find a patch that faces the right way, and settle in for an hour or so. Walkers on the longer routes through North Wales often use it as a lunch stop, which tells you something about its location. It's free and there are no facilities to speak of, so come prepared with your own food and water.

Families with young children might find it a bit empty and unstructured compared to managed picnic areas - there's no play equipment or designated parking, just space and air. That's actually the point. If your kids are content without entertainment, they'll have fun exploring the grass and spotting sheep. Otherwise it could feel a bit dull after twenty minutes.

If you're staying at Tyn Cornel Camping nearby, it's worth knowing about as an alternative to packed lunches at the site. The walk there's not arduous, and on a clear day the views justify the effort. Just don't expect facilities or facilities or expect crowds.