Picnicware and al fresco dining essentials to elevate your outdoor experience
There’s something so enjoyable about eating outside. Maybe it reminds us of eating snacks in the playground as kids, or maybe it’s just because the English weather is so temperamental that it’s always a novelty when you can actually dine al fresco.
This summer we’re preparing to picnic like never before. Whether you want to treat your picnic like a full on dining experience with picnic baskets, glassware, plates, bowls and cutlery or you prefer to throw down a rug and eat with your hands, we have all the things to pack for a picnic (starting with a lunchbox).
If you’re stuck for meal ideas, our friends at Waitrose have picnic recipes and picnic food to inspire. Bring on the feasting.
Glassware
Steer clear of disposable glasses and invest in stackable, lightweight reusable ones to give your picnic a pop of colour. No little ones invited? Coloured glass is a great option. And don’t overlook jugs – choose a joyful, coloured design and we guarantee you’ll use it on repeat.
Blankets and lighting
A decent picnic blanket is the bedrock of any successful picnic. Look for ones that are hard-wearing and easy to machine wash. Equally important is a picnic hamper to keep snacks safely squish-free, or a cool bag for a chilled glass of something lovely.
If you’re having a grown-up picnic, elevate your afternoon by accessorising with soft furnishings, outdoor lighting and speakers. We like draping festoon lights up high and dotting lanterns around to make the most of those dusky summer evenings.
Cushions and seating
Add a little extra comfort to your picnic by layering with a mixture of outdoors cushions, pouffes or even low-level seating – ideal if you have older guests. The super organised among us may even want to throw in a folding picnic chair. And relax...
Plates, bowls and serveware
Set the tone with vibrant plates, bowls, serveware and napkins to add a dose of colour to your picnic. Melamine and mango wood are ideal for al fresco meals because they’re lightweight to carry and shatter-proof, making them suitable for all ages. We love a classy food cover, too.
Ready, set, picnic
Waitrose has hand-picked some of the easiest and most delicious picnic recipes to seriously raise your outdoor eating game. Try beetroot scotch eggs, mini chicken and chorizo pies and the 2026 take on sausage rolls – hoisin flavour!
