How to Have The Perfect Picnic

Picnics are a great way to spend time with your friends and family in the great outdoors. As with anything great, preparation is key. Use our handy guide below and you will be enjoying the great British countryside (or city life!) in no time.

Choose A Venue

Whether you’re looking to stay close to home or go further afield, the perfect venue is important. Popular places for a picnic include: Local fields or park, National Trust gardens or even your own garden. It is also increasingly popular to pack your own picnic for days out to save costs at amusement parks or wildlife parks.

Weatherproof Yourself

Check the weather forecast before you go and plan accordingly. At the height of Summer your essentials will be items such as suncream and a parasol to keep you safe from sunburn and heatstroke. If rain is due, umbrellas and ponchos all round. It is always worth checking if there are buildings nearby which could provide shelter in the worst of weathers if necessary.

Make Yourselves Comfortable

Wherever you’re eating you’ll want to be comfortable. If you’re away from home a picnic blanket will fit easily in your bag and protect your clothes from grass stains. Alternatively you may find seating more comfortable. Parks & attractions tend to have some seating available such as park benches or picnic benches. However, if somebody from your party needs a guaranteed seat it is best to take a camping chair along with you.

Choose the Perfect Picnicware

When choosing your picnicware you need to decide what is important. Are you going to have far to walk with it? Are you trying to be more eco-friendly?

If you have to walk far the lightest and easiest solution is the traditional disposable plates and cups. However you will also need to consider where you will be able to dispose of these if for example you are in a field.

If you like the idea of a more eco-friendly approach reusable is the way forward. Whether you take some plates and cups from your home or invest in some new eco-friendly picnicware. Smidge (by Horwoods) has the best range of environmentally friendly picnicware. As well as being reusable it is biodegradable making it eco-friendly to dispose of too. It is available in 4 colours and the range includes bowls, plates, cups and cutlery. Find out more about Smidge or visit in our Cirencester store.

The Important Stuff: Food

A traditional picnic would include sandwiches, crisps, coleslaw, sausage rolls and more. The beauty of a picnic is you can make it whatever suits you and your family. Whether it is cold leftovers from last night or freshly made goods such as Briony’s Cake Recipe.

Storing your food before the picnic is usually made easier by the use of coolbags or coolboxes. The food itself can be wrapped in cling film, beeswax wraps or placed in tupperware to keep it fresh.

Let us know if you use any of our tips on your next picnic over on our Facebook Page. 

Photo credit: Photo by Ketut Subiyanto from Pexels