How To Pack The Perfect Picnic

Who doesn’t love an al fresco feast? A perfect picnic is one of summer’s treats but to do it really well requires preparation and the proper kit. With the approach of National Picnic Week (21-30 June) it’s time to carefully consider everything you need to carry and serve your spread in style.

Our stalwarts of the high street – John Lewis, Next and M&S  – always come up trumps for this kind of occasion – but we also love what’s on offer at less obvious picnic-shopping spots, such as Soho Home. The sustainability trend is being well and truly embraced by brands too, with the ‘use it and chuck it’ mentality of eating on the move being replaced. Instead invest in reusable stainless steel straws and Weaver Green’s rugs and floor cushions made from recycled plastic bottles (and yes, they are very, very soft….). “You can easily change the feel of any outdoor space by varying the textile designs you use,” says Tasha Green, director of Weaver Green. “We switch between rich bohemian colourways and cool Scandinavian designs.”

If you want to celebrate in style, don’t be scared about taking out glassware; simply wrap flutes and tumblers in napkins – even blankets – for extra padding. And when the sun goes down, the lights come out: from tea lights to lanterns, a naked flame is the perfect summer evening accessory.

So whatever the event, take the food outside and turn it into an occasion. Whether it’s a picnic in your garden, a stroll in your local park, a trip to the seaside or a pit stop on a hike, we’ve found everything you need, from cool boxes on wheels, to rattan drinks baskets fit for a crowd. Now all you need to do is decide who is coming.