Eating outdoors holds a magical allure. Kids love picnics and they are a great way to spend a lazy day whilst on holiday. When the sun shines there is nothing like spreading the rug in a lovely setting and enjoying everything, from just a few sandwiches and a drink to hamper with all the trimmings.

I have just seen a poll by The British Guild of Travel Writers which has voted the best three picnic spots in the UK, coincidently all on the coast. Britain's Best Picnic spot is, apparently, Rhossili Bay (see photo) - a remote coastal cliff top described by Dylan Thomas as 'wild, bleak and barren'. Located on the far end of the Gower Peninsula, it offers stunning views across north Devon in one direction and along three miles of Rhossili sands in the other.

Tennyson Down near Freshwater on the Isle of Wight was voted second. The view, which reaches out across the Solent from the downs, is said to have inspired many of Tennyson's poems. The white chalk cliffs reach their highest point at Tennyson Down, 147 metres above sea level, and the spot is marked with the cross of the Tennyson Memorial.

In third place was Redpoint Beach at Western Ross in the Scottish Highlands which lies at the end of a single track road and on a clear day provides views of the Outer Hebrides on the horizon.

If you fancy enjoying a picnic at one of these spots, UK Cottages has some holiday cottages within easy reach of all of these lovely settings.

With its 'toes' in the safe golden sands of a vast Blue Flag surfing beach and its balcony offering panoramic views Beachside is bright and compact apartment on the Gower is perfect for summer holidays and winter escapes..

Freshfields is a comfortable cottage at the end of a little row a few yards stroll from shops and a pub and just a couple of miles from Tennyson Down.

Torgorm is a short drive from Redpoint Beach within walking distance of a beach and enjoys commanding views across Gairloch and its loch.