We’ve reached Peak Picnic – so style it out
With summer in full swing and the school holidays upon us, there’s no better time to dine al fresco, says Jessica Doyle
The fashion for picnicking may have originally taken off in post-revolution France, when the royal parks were opened to the public for the first time, but these days it’s as quintessentially a British activity as they come. With opera season and the Proms in full swing – plus, as any parent is keenly aware, the school holidays now upon us – we’re in peak picnic time. And with no sign of the heatwave letting up, there should be plenty of scorching days and balmy evenings in which to spread out your blanket.
In these Mediterranean temperatures, picnic accoutrements have become a serious concern, and whether you’re heading for an evening at Glyndebourne or a family day at the seaside, you might want to consider upping your al fresco game. Whatever your style, there’s a rug, hamper or set of plastic plates to suit. Here’s our pick of the best picnicware on the market, for bargain hunters and budget-blowers alike…
Cheap and cheerful
You don’t need to spend a fortune to get hold of good picnicware this summer; the supermarket brands have outdone themselves with inexpensive portable plates and acrylic glassware. Sainsbury’s has a collection of coordinating picnic blankets, cool bags and melamine tableware that looks far more expensive than it is, particularly as it’s currently on sale. The Palm House and Bohemian Traveller ranges are especially pretty.
For those who want to steer clear of plastic, Falcon’s classic enamelware plates, dishes and tumblers come in a choice of colours and will last for years. Elsewhere, Morrisons stocks a foldable, portable “wine table” for under £30, with holes for glasses and bottles to help keep your drinks upright, and H&M is doing a good line in cheerful, colourful blankets and cool bags.
A cut above
John Lewis is your go-to for goodquality, mid-range picnicware that won’t break the bank, including tweed blankets, bamboo bowls and plates, and acrylic wine glasses. Marks & Spencer is also doing a good line in stylish picnicware this year – its leaf-print melamine plates are a subtle take on the tropical trend, and its cool backpack, with plates, cups and cutlery included, is a great idea for the adventurous picnicker.
If you’ve gone to the trouble of baking, you can do better than serve your homemade goods in standard plastic boxes. Joseph Joseph’s stacking storage boxes feature pops of rainbow colour, Ferm Living’s terrazzo tin lunch box is bang on trend, and Marcel Wanders’ circusthemed storage tins for Alessi will add a carnival feel to your spread.
Cotton napkins are a nice touch, and won’t add too much weight to your basket: Ibbi’s are block-printed in a choice of colourful designs on soft Indian cotton, while Pentreath & Hall’s come with subtle neon stitching. And don’t forget to pack an additional throw in case the weather turns: Brontë’s are light enough to carry, but thick enough to serve as extra sitting space if needed.
It’s worth spending a bit more on a good picnic blanket that will last. Selfridges stocks striped designs in chunky washable wool by Tweedmill (from £50), a heritage brand that has also produced a special country house-style design for Soho Home. Alternatively, an outdoor rug is a lighter, wipe-clean alternative to a blanket – Audenza’s is in a monochrome geometric design and comes with hook and loop ties, making it easy to roll up and carry (and it goes rather well with the brand’s contemporary bamboo plates).
Blow the budget
Nothing says posh picnic like a stylish basket. Fortnum & Mason’s are the gold standard, and the Camellia four-person hamper (£550) won’t disappoint, coming complete with bone-china mugs and plates, proper cutlery and an insulated flask. Elsewhere, the hampers by Les Jardins de la Comtesse, available through Amara, are similarly luxurious, some with tablecloths, wooden chopping boards and bread knives.
For drinking in style, Liberty’s brass lassi glasses, hand-carved in India, would make a chic, alternative wine vessel. But if you can’t bear the thought of sipping your chablis from anything short of crystal, consider Riedel’s O to Go wine glasses, which come in individual boxes for easy transportation. They’re also stemless, which means they won’t fall over on uneven ground.
If you really want to make a statement, check out the new, limited-edition blankets by fashion brand Mother of Pearl. Available in red or blue, with elaborate fringing and pearl-studded leather carriers, they were worn down the SS18 catwalk like handbags, and are designed to perform double duty as cosy scarves on chilly evenings.
Whatever your style, there’s a rug or set of plates to suit