Tog Hill Picnic Area: Your Guide to a Perfect Outing

A picnic is an excellent opportunity to breathe in the fresh air and enjoy the scenic surroundings and the sights and sounds of nature. Therefore, a relaxing picnic in the sunshine is one of the favourite pastimes of almost every British person. The Tog Hill Picnic Area near Bristol is a good choice for British people to enjoy the tranquillity of the countryside.

We have compiled some simple, relevant information, including basic details about Tog Hill Picnic Area, a list of things to pack for a picnic, fun picnic activities, clean-up measures, and how to plan a family or romantic picnic. We also highly recommend Jackery Portable Power Station, famous for its portability, versatility, and capacity. They are the best companions for picnicking.

Basics of Tog Hill Picnic Area 

Tog Hill Picnic Area is a popular recreational spot in southwest England, UK. It is located southeast of Bristol, near Bath, and is part of the Cotswolds region. The area has open hilly areas with excellent views overlooking the surrounding countryside. In short, Tog Hill Picnic Area is very suitable for families, friends, or couples to relax.

Basic Information of Tog Hill Picnic Area

The following is the basic information about Tog Hill Picnic Area:

Location: Doynton, Bristol BS30 5TB, United Kingdom

Opening Hours: Open all year round (24 hours)

Fee: No tickets

Infrastructure: Tog Hill Picnic Area has simple tables, chairs, trash cans, and toilets.

Parking: There is a free parking area but limited space (about 20 parking spaces). The height limit is 2.1 meters.

Recommended Nearby Attractions: Bath (Roman Baths, Bath Abbey), Bristol (Clifton Suspension Bridge, SS Great Britain Museum), Cotswolds (Lavender Fields, Castle Combe)

Best Time to Visit Tog Hill Picnic Area

Tog Hill Picnic Area is a scenic outdoor leisure spot. When is the right time to visit?

The weather in Tog Hill Picnic Area is mild in spring and summer, with wildflowers in full bloom and long sunshine hours. It is the best season for picnics and outdoor activities. However, weekends and holidays may be crowded, so it is recommended to travel during off-peak hours. In autumn, Tog Hill Picnic Area has charming scenery and a cool climate, which makes it suitable for hiking and photography.

The scenery of Tog Hill Picnic Area at sunrise or sunset is particularly magnificent during the day, making it suitable for photography enthusiasts.

Packing List for a Picnic at Tog Hill Picnic Area 

No matter who is picnicking at Tog Hill Picnic Area, it is essential to balance practicality with atmosphere. Here is the ultimate packing list for a Tog Hill Picnic Area picnic, divided into critical and extra equipment to enhance the experience.

Essentials for a Picnic at Tog Hill Picnic Area

If you choose to picnic at Tog Hill Picnic Area, here are the essentials you must bring.

Picnic Basket: A large and beautiful picnic basket can fit everything and become a lovely decoration for the picnic. Consider a picnic backpack if you have too many items for a picnic.

Picnic Mat: Please choose a picnic mat that is large (and moisture-proof) enough to accommodate all picnickers and food. For example, if there are 6-8 picnickers, choose a 2×2 meter picnic mat.

Cutlery: Please prepare enough reusable (or disposable) cutlery (made of environmentally friendly and biodegradable materials) for each guest, including plates, bowls, forks, spoons, cups, etc.

Insulated Box: The temperature in the UK can change, and an insulated box can keep picnic food (such as sandwiches, salads or iced drinks) warm and fresh.

Napkins: You can bring napkins or paper towels to clean up messes. Wet wipes can help you easily wash up after eating without running water.

Trash Bag: Please bring a large enough trash bag to hold all the garbage. However, please remember to separate food waste from general garbage.

Insect Repellent: Although dining outdoors is a pleasant experience, don't forget to bring insect repellent spray to prevent mosquito bites.

Sunscreen: Although enjoying a picnic in the sun is wonderful, intense sunlight can harm the skin. Please apply sunscreen (or wear a hat) in advance to prevent sunburn.

First Aid Kit: Please carry a first aid kit with you and ensure it has band-aids, disinfectant wipes, hypoallergenic medicine, antibacterial ointment, etc.

Portable Power Station: Even if you enjoy a picnic outdoors, people nowadays need to charge their electronic devices, such as mobile phones, promptly. A portable power station, like Jackery Portable Power Station, can provide a stable power supply for outdoor picnics, especially for charging portable coolers, speakers, and other electronics.

Extras to Enhance Your Picnic Experience

Consider bringing the following items to enhance your picnic experience at Tog Hill Picnic Area.

Portable Picnic Table: You can bring a small portable picnic table to enhance the aesthetics of your picnic and prevent insects from contaminating your food.

Flowers: To enhance the aesthetics of your picnic, you can arrange flowers such as sunflowers and tulips in vintage metal flower baskets.

Photo Props: Besides flowers, you can bring vintage books/magazines, wooden trays, balloons, bubble machines, etc., to add atmosphere to your picnic photos.

Entertainment Equipment: During the picnic, you can lie on the grass and enjoy the sun, play Frisbee, and play board games.

Pet-friendly Equipment: If pets are allowed at the picnic site, please bring pet-specific picnic mats, water bowls, poop bags, etc.

Jackery Portable Power Stations for Picnic in London

A portable power station can significantly enhance a picnic at Tog Hill Picnic Area by providing a convenient and reliable power source for various needs.

It can power speakers for music, charge phones and cameras to capture beautiful scenery, and operate small appliances like portable coolers to keep food and drinks fresh. Additionally, it can provide power for lighting, allowing picnics to extend into the evening.

Like Jackery Portable Power Station, a reliable power station quickly provides enough power to keep picnic electronics and devices running. It can power several electronics simultaneously and has a long-lasting battery.

Jackery Explorer 500

The Jackery Explorer 500 is a portable power station with a capacity of 518Wh, utilising lithium technology. It is among the lightest and most portable rechargeable lithium battery generators available, ideal for picnicking.

- Sufficient Power: The Jackery Explorer 500 features a 518-watt-hour (24Ah, 21.6V) llithium-ion battery pack and a pure sine wave inverter. It includes one AC outlet (110V 500W 1000W peak), three USB-A connections, two DC connectors, and one carport to operate low- to high-power items, such as a portable cooler, fan, game console, etc.

- Various Recharging Methods: The Explorer 500 features a premium integrated MPPT charge controller. This facilitates rapid and effortless solar recharging when combined with the Jackery SolarSaga 100W solar panel (available separately). The Explorer 500 may be recharged using a home socket, automobile outlet, or power generator.         

- Durability & Reliability: The sophisticated Battery Management System (BMS) and pure sine wave inverter provide consistent power to the devices. The advanced temperature sensors guarantee the power station's suitability for adverse weather conditions.

- Portability: The Jackery Explorer 500 portable power station is approximately the dimensions of a basketball and features a robust grip. Its lightweight and small form makes it ideal for picnics.

Running time of using Jackery Explorer 500 portable power station:

(*The working hours are only for reference; the actual working hours depend on your usage.)  

Jackery Explorer 300 Plus

Compared to the Explorer 500, the Explorer 300 Plus also adopts another superior battery technology - LiFePO4 battery cell, which can stand more in harsh weather conditions and last longer in a small size. Besides, it is smaller and lighter than Explorer 500, weighing only 3.75 kg, enabling easy portability anywhere you picnic. Learn more features of Explorer 300 Plus:

- Charge 4 Devices at Once: The Explorer 300 Plus is a portable power station featuring a 300W AC Pure Sine Wave Inverter (600W Surge Peak) and 288Wh capacity. It can charge up to four devices concurrently, facilitated by one AC, USB-A, and USB-C output, enabling rapid and effortless charging of several appliances.

- Multiple Recharging Ways: The MPPT technique guarantees 99% efficiency in solar charging. A complete wall charge requires 2 hours, whereas solar charging with a single SolarSaga 200W panel necessitates 4 hours. With car charging capabilities, concerns over power disruptions will be alleviated.

- ChargeShield Protection: Jackery's ChargeShield fast charge technology pioneers the market by employing a stepped variable-speed charging algorithm, thereby improving safety and extending battery pack lifespan by 50%. At a temperature of 45℃, the power station can achieve full charge in around 2 hours.

Running time of using Jackery Explorer 300 Plus portable power station:

(*The working hours are only for reference; the actual working hours depend on your usage.)

How to Plan a Family Picnic at Tog Hill Picnic Area? 

A relaxing and enjoyable family picnic combines natural beauty, parent-child interaction and food experiences, allowing everyone in the family to enjoy the outdoors. Here are detailed tips for planning a family picnic at Tog Hill Picnic Area.

Step 1: Check the Weather and Prepare

The weather in the UK is changeable, so check the forecast in advance using BBC Weather and avoid rainy days. Although you have avoided rainy days with the weather forecast, you still need to take some rain protection measures. For example, you can bring a waterproof picnic mat, a lightweight raincoat or a folding umbrella.

In addition, you need to bring a light jacket or blanket to keep your children warm. Applying children's sunscreen and carrying a wide-brimmed hat can protect children from the sun.

Step 2: Extra Items for Children

If you are planning a relaxing family picnic with children, you need to bring some additional items in addition to the essential picnic items.

Here are some additional items that families with children on a picnic need to consider bringing:

Children's Tableware: If you have younger children, please bring shatter-proof bowls, sippy cups, bibs, etc.

Snacks: You should also bring individually wrapped biscuits, fruit cuts, juice boxes, and other small snacks to prevent your child from becoming hungry after playing.

Hand Sanitizer: It can make it easier for children to clean up after playing.

Toys: You should bring toys your child likes, such as bubble machines, puzzles, or picture books.

Baby Products: If your child is still a baby, please bring bottles, milk powder, spare diapers and wet wipes.

Step 3: Recipes for Family Picnics

Whether your children are toddlers or teenagers, they are always interested in picnics. What food do families who want to take their children on a picnic bring? Is it healthy organic food or snacks such as cakes and chips?

Here is a creative recipe for a family picnic for reference only:

Step 4: Plan Fun Games

Most children will find it boring if they lie on the grass, enjoy the sun and taste some delicious food. For most children, fun and games are the key to a picnic. Here are some simple game ideas that can get children involved:

Frisbee or catch

Treasure hunt

Board games

Hide and seek

DIY sandwiches

How to Plan a Romantic Picnic at Tog Hill Picnic Area?

Enjoying a nice dinner, watching a romantic movie or visiting a museum are fun ways to spend time with your significant other. However, a picnic date allows you and your partner to enjoy a fun and relaxing atmosphere in a more relaxed environment. Here is what you need to prepare for a romantic Tog Hill Picnic Area picnic.

Step 1: Choose the Right Time for a Picnic

If you want to have a relaxing and comfortable romantic picnic with your partner, it is recommended that you choose 2-4 p.m., when the sun is soft. The temperature is suitable for extended outdoor activities.

For a more romantic atmosphere, choose 5-7 p.m. In the evening, the hilly terrain of Tog Hill provides couples with a great view of the sunset.

Step 2: Set Up a Romantic Picnic Area

Carefully considering seemingly insignificant details is crucial to the success of a romantic picnic date. For example, you can prepare some romantic elements according to your partner's preferences.

Please prepare some flowers (such as tulips or dried flowers) that your partner likes and that can create a romantic atmosphere. You can also bring Bluetooth speakers to play soft jazz or light music.

Step 3: Recipes for a Romantic Picnic

When preparing food for a dreamy and romantic picnic date, avoid any greasy entrees. Choose bite-sized, easy-to-handle, and delicate dishes to add intimacy and ease to the dining experience.

Here is a creative recipe for a romantic picnic date for reference only:

Step 4: Fun Outdoor Activities for Couples

In addition to enjoying a delicious picnic on the picnic mat, you can also plan one or two activities couples can do together. Couples can usually experience fun activities such as flying kites, throwing Frisbees, or taking photos to record beautiful moments during picnics at Tog Hill Picnic Area.

Step 5: Discuss the Details of the Picnic Together

Discussing the picnic details together can fully demonstrate respect for each other. Both parties can communicate key information for the picnic in advance, such as the date, whether the other party has dietary restrictions, and whether they need to bring special items (pets, sunscreen, etc.). Discussing the details of a romantic picnic together can avoid the embarrassment of unilateral decisions, such as arranging flowers when the other party is allergic to pollen.

What Can You Do During a Picnic at Tog Hill Picnic Area?

In addition to enjoying food, entertainment is also the key to making a picnic memorable. For example, you can bring playing cards with your family and friends during the picnic. When picnicking in the Tog Hill Picnic Area, you can combine the natural environment and local characteristics to arrange the following activities suitable for different age groups.

Kite Flying

Tog Hill Picnic Area usually has open green space suitable for kite flying. You can choose moderate wind weather (2-4 wind) to fly kites with your family and friends. However, you must confirm in advance that there are no obstacles in the area, such as trees and telephone poles, to avoid dangers such as entanglement or falling off the kite.

Frisbee

The open lawn area of Tog Hill Picnic Area is very suitable for Frisbee throwing. In addition, the Frisbee game is simple and easy to play, ideal for people of all ages to participate, and can exercise physical strength and enhance interaction. For example, beginners can practice passing the ball and enjoy running on the grass.

Board Games

Board games can liven up the atmosphere during a picnic while allowing people to enjoy quiet time. For example, most people play cards or small box games such as UNO, Bomb Cats, and Travel Catan during a picnic.

Yoga

Performing simple yoga while picnicking in Tog Hill Picnic Area is an experience that perfectly combines natural beauty with relaxation. In particular, simple yoga or stretching exercises after a picnic can help digestion. However, you need to find a flat, grassy area under the shade of a tree and lay out a light and moisture-proof yoga mat.

Do You Need to Clean Up After a Picnic at Tog Hill Picnic Area?

Most picnic areas in the UK require visitors to clean up their rubbish to protect the natural environment. Therefore, after a picnic at Tog Hill Picnic Area, you must clean up all rubbish (including food scraps, packaging and barbecue ashes) and restore the site to its original state.

The following are specific cleaning tips and steps after a picnic at Tog Hill Picnic Area:

Pick Up All the Rubbish

Please pick up all rubbish generated by the picnic, including food scraps, packaging, paper towels, beverage bottles and cans, etc. Even degradable items (such as fruit peels, bread crumbs, etc.) should be removed to prevent wild animals from accidentally eating or damaging the ecology. Plastics, aluminium foil, paper towels, etc., must also be cleaned up and discarded according to recyclable and non-recyclable categories.

Dispose of Rubbish Correctly

Please find a trash can or recycling station near Tog Hill Picnic Area to sort out your collected rubbish. Sealing the rubbish before putting it in the designated sorting box is best. For example, children's diapers must be sealed and discarded and cannot be buried or discarded at will.

If there is no trash can near the picnic area, all rubbish must be removed and disposed of to ensure it does not remain in the natural environment.

Picnic Area Restoration

After cleaning up the rubbish in the picnic area, please check the surrounding environment.

First, carefully check whether any rubbish (such as bottle caps, small wrappers, etc.) has been left on the ground and around the tables and chairs.

Second, check whether any fire hazards, such as matches and barbecue residues, are left in the barbecue area. Pay special attention to fire prevention, especially in the dry season.

Tog Hill Picnic Area FAQs

The following are the frequently asked questions about the Tog Hill picnic area:

1. What is the primary purpose of a picnic?

A picnic allows people to experience a slower pace of life by changing the dining scene and method. The primary purposes of a picnic usually include the following aspects:

Getting close to nature

Social interaction

Relaxation

Tasting delicious food

2. What questions should I ask about a picnic?

Before a picnic, you should usually consider the following five main questions:

How many people will be at the picnic?

What infrastructure is available at the picnic site you choose?

What kind of food do you think is best for a picnic?

How should you clean up the trash after the picnic?

What other activities do you like on a picnic besides enjoying the sun and tasting delicious food?

3. Can couples choose to have a picnic on a date?

Of course! A picnic is a very romantic choice for couples on a date. During a romantic picnic date, couples can taste exquisite food and enjoy a sweet time alone.

4. What are the rules of a picnic?

Here are some standard picnic rules that need to be followed:

Be polite to other picnic guests.

Keep your feet and shoes away from food.

After your picnic, take leftovers and trash with you.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the ideal picnic spot is the first step in planning a picnic. Every step counts, from selecting the right location to preparing delicious picnic food and ensuring everyone is having fun and feeling comfortable. So, throwing a perfect picnic requires plenty of preparation and creativity. Whether it's a romantic date or a family outing, this guide provides everything you need to prepare for an unforgettable picnic. You can enjoy a relaxing English countryside picnic at the Tog Hill picnic area with the above preparations.