JULY is National Picnic Month, with the Isle of Wight featuring prominently in a newly compiled list of desirable spots to lay your blanket.

The Island ranks second in Leisure Range Cookers' list for most National Trust picnic spots in the UK, with eleven in total to choose from.

Regionally, the South East of England takes the crown as the best area of the UK to visit for a picnic, with 48 National Trust areas.

The Island scooped top spot for the most picnic spots in the region, courtesy of highly rated locations such as St Catherine’s Down, Tennyson Downs and Needles Battery.

The number one spot on the Island is St Catherine’s Down, which comes in 20th place for the whole of the UK. With an average TripAdvisor rating of five stars, this unique location is a local favourite.

Gino Grossi, marketing manager at Leisure Range Cookers, said: “Now that lockdown restrictions are easing, it’s great to see people enjoying more picnics in the park.

"Those in the South East are particularly lucky as they are treated to the most National Trust picnic spots in the whole of the UK, with the Isle of Wight ranking top of the list for the highest number in the region.

"With an impressive coastline and collection of picturesque locations to choose from, such as St Catherine’s Down and Needles Battery, it’s no surprise the Isle of Wight is the perfect place for a picnic.”

To find out more about the full list of top rated picnic spots, visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/lists/perfect-picnic-spots