Majestic views at a Corfe Castle picnic

Wherever you choose to throw down your blanket, you’re never more than a stone's throw away from over 700 years of turbulent history. But don’t let Civil War, torture, treachery and imprisonment put you off your cheese sandwiches, instead soak up those breathtakingly views. As well as being a Royal Palace for 600 years, the ruined castle was also the inspiration for Enid Blyton’s Kirren Castle in the Famous Five.

So when it comes to liquid refreshment make sure you pack lashings of ginger beer. Look out for the author’s birthday celebrations, which take place at the Castle each year on the 11th August. After your al fresco feast, why not let your food go down in style. If the sun’s out then stretch out at King John’s Medieval tower or burn off some of those calories on a way-marked walk along the Dorset coast.

And you’ve just got to explore those crumbling walls and secret nooks and crannies to see how many of the medieval monument’s secrets you can discover before dinner.