How to plan the perfect picnic

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 it's always a novelty when you can dine al fresco.

Whatever the reason, this summer we’re preparing to picnic like never before. Whether you want to treat your picnic like a full on dining experience with glassware, plates, bowls and proper cutlery or you’re more of a throw-down-a-rug and eat with your hands picnic-er, we have a plethora of picnic items worthy of your basket.

If you're stuck for meal ideas, our friends at Waitrose have picnic recipes, snacks and sandwiches to inspire.

Steer clear of disposable glasses and invest in coloured glass and recycled lightweight plastic to give your picnic (and your kitchen) a pop of colour. Don't overlook jugs, and opt for stackable glasses that won’t take up valuable picnic-basket space - we guarantee you’ll use them on repeat. 

A decent picnic blanket is the lynchpin to any successful picnic. Look for ones that are hardwearing and easy to machine wash for all those accidental spillages. Equally as important is a picnic hamper or cool bag where you can store snacks safely while keeping them cool and squish-free.

If you’re having a more grown-up picnic, elevate your afternoon and accessorise with soft furnishings and lighting to bring your picnic blanket to life. We like draping festoon lights around the trees and dotting lanterns around to make the most of those dusky summer evenings.

Set the tone with vibrant plates, bowls and serving platters to bring a spot of colour to your picnic. Melamine and mango wood are ideal for al fresco meals because they're lightweight to carry and shatterproof, making them suitable for all ages. We love a classy food cover, too.

Add a little extra comfort to your picnic and layer seating with a mixture of outdoors cushions, pouffes and low-level options - ideal if you’re picnicking with the older generation. The super organised among us may even want to throw in a folding picnic chair.