17 of the best picnic bags to buy now as the warmer weather creeps in
Thinking of the best picnic baskets conjures images of luxury Fortnum and Mason picnic hampers and alfresco meals at Ascot. For the majority of us, the reality of such an affair is much more akin to a crowd of friends huddled around a tiny picnic blanket, nibbling on sausage rolls and supermarket rosé. With a growing cost of living crisis, however, many of us are having to do away with our trips abroad, opting instead to make the most of good old Blighty. The result? We've all upped our outdoor entertaining game, and long gone are the subpar picnics of years gone by.
In the absence of a rosé-sponsored meal at some haughty South of France beach club, a lazy picnic in the park felt like a pretty great substitute. As well as ensuring you have a bottle of vino from your wine subscription, more snacks than you could realistically eat, and the perfect people-watching spot, one thing we've learnt from our UK summers: it’s absolutely worth investing in some outdoor dining basics to make your meal on the ground more enjoyable.
A stylish picnic blanket is a must, and there are some great picnic accessories to elevate your day out. But we can't recommend investing in an actual picnic basket enough. Because there’s nothing worse than your Sainsbury packet spilling all your contents mid-way to the park when you’ve tried to add just one more bottle of fizz to your load.
Instagram content
Besides being a much more practical way to transport your hummus and crisps to your picnic spot, picnic baskets are often insulated – meaning your drinks stay chilled and your snacks fresh. And fret not, there's not a tacky print to be seen in our edit of the best picnic bags – think understated neutrals, pastels and natural willow wicker that will look perfectly at home on your grid (because you know we'll all be posting our #picnicviews).
Our round-up includes inexpensive picnic bags perfect for just the essentials (yes, chocolate cake is essential) like this Thermos cooler bag as well as more structured wicker numbers like this bag from Etsy; it's pricey, but it'll last for summers to come and it's complete with a cheese board – what more could you want? And if you want to get fancy for your next park picnic, we've also included a Fortnum's hamper that includes a picnic blanket. Pass the scotch eggs.
Want more outdoor inspo? Head over to our roundup of the best garden furniture (including sun loungers, garden parasols and inflatable pools), here for the best patio heaters and in this direction for fire pits for a Love Island-style garden makeover. Don't forget al fresco dining is soon to be big, so invest in the best pizza ovens and impress guests with your culinary skills.
Scroll down for the best picnic baskets that you'll use from now until the end of summer.
Specifications:
- Size: 49cm x 40cm x 21cm.
- Material: Handwoven wicker with a canvas and leather strap, an insulated inner lining and waterproof picnic blanket from recycled materials.
- Insulated? Yes.
- Includes pockets/storage compartments? One zipped central compartment.
Pros: Famous for making the world's best picnic baskets, this Fortnum and Mason picnic basket is both stylish and practical, providing buyers with a waterproof picnic blanket, an insulated cooler compartment and plenty of room for all your nibbles.
Cons: Much like some of the other basket styles in this round up, you won't be able to fill it with goods that are too heavy, given the lack of supportive rucksack straps.
Specifications:
- Size: 27cm x 32cm x 29cm.
- Material: Wicker and pinewood with your choice of a vegan leather or wood handle.
- Insulated? Yes.
- Includes pockets/storage compartments? One central zipped compartment, plus a cheese board/cutting board lid - you'll just need a cheese knife.
Pros: One of the best picnic baskets for 2023, this traditional picnic hamper comes complete with a chopping board and can be personalised with your choice of wooden or vegan leather handle.
Cons: In a dream world it'd have a bottle holder, be it for water bottles or bottles of wine.
Specifications:
- Size: 41cm x 37cm x 28cm.
- Material: Wicker wood with fitted cooler bag with a lavendar tartan tweed zipped lid.
- Insulated? Includes fitted cooler, details of insulation not disclosed.
- Includes pockets/storage compartments? One main compartment with a zipped opening - removable also if you just want to use the basket itself.
Pros: Like a large cooler bag but with all the aesthetics of a four person wicker basket, this traditional style picnic carrier will keep food cool and protected from pesky bugs, all the while keeping up those quaint Bridgerton-esque appearances.
Cons: As big fans of lavender tartan, it'd be lovely if it came with a matching picnic blanket, but you can find one here.
Save money on everything from picnic rucksacks to insulated backpacks with these Wayfair discount codes
Specifications:
- Size: 45cm x 31cm x 50cm.
- Material: Wicker and Tana Lawn™ cotton lining.
- Insulated? No.
- Includes pockets/storage compartments? One main compartment with two openings.
Pros: A perfect balance of cute and kitsch, this Liberty picnic hamper basket from Coco & Wolf allows enough rough for your picnic rug, your plastic plates and all your sweets and treats. Our favourite part? The flap-style opening, so you can access your lunch bags and drinks without giving the flies and bees full entry to your haul.
Cons: It's not leakproof, so make sure to use sealed containers + a small cooler box for any meltable items on hot days.
Specifications:
- Size: 33cm x 40cm x 40.5cm.
- Material: Ecological and environmentally sustained natural wicker wood + insulation.
- Insulated? Yes.
- Includes pockets/storage compartments? One main zipped inner insulated compartment.
Pros: One for the wicker hamper basket lovers, this 3-4 person wicker picnic basket is tall enough to keep all your Prosecco and charcuterie cool, calm and collection, not to mention it's relatively light for a basket of its size as 900g.
Cons: You won't be able to grab next day delivery on this one.
Specifications:
- Size: 22.86cm x 35.56cm x 21.59cm.
- Material: Wicker wood with a cloth adjustable shoulder strap.
- Insulated? No.
- Includes pockets/storage compartments? One main compartment.
Pros: With a unique design, this Wayfair picnic basket is one of the best rated picnic baskets, with a high 4.5/5 star rating, and, with its spacious tub, it's big enough to hold all your plastic wine glasses, ceramic plates and, well, whatever nibbles you fancy!
Cons: As a classic wicker basket without an insulated compartment or cotton lining, we'd recommend using a wine cooler for any beverages and food storage boxes/pouches to keep all your tasties secure.
Save money on the best picnic baskets with these Wayfair discount codes
Specifications:
- Size: 32cm x 20cm x 22cm.
- Material: Poly cotton canvas treated with mold, water and UV coatings + recycled PVC interior.
- Insulated? Yes.
- Includes pockets/storage compartments? One central compartment plus external zip pockets.
Pros: This cool bag from Business & Pleasure Co. is a top pick for park BBQs and gatherings with raw meat or cold beers involved. It'll keep your food fresh and you don't need to worry about moisture ruining the lining, either, with its mould and water resistant lining. The perfect all-round luxury picnic basket.
Cons: It's not machine washable so you'll need to spot clean any (inevitable) family picnic stains.
Specifications:
- Size: 37cm x 27cm x 47cm.
- Material: Wicker and Tana Lawn™ cotton lining.
- Insulated? No.
- Includes pockets/storage compartments? One main compartment with two openings.
Pros: If a four-six person picnic set with stainless steel cutlery and the works isn't your jam, why not take a side step to an equally attractive option, just without all the corkscrews, plates and other bells and whistles. Plus, you don't need to worry about it being wipe-clean - the lining is removable and washable.
Cons: None of those aforementioned bells and whistles in this wicker picnic hamper (but that's the way we like it).
Save money on tote bags, holdalls and more by using these Liberty discount codes when you checkout.
Specifications:
- Size: 18cm x 23cm x 16cm.
- Material: 300D polyester, PEVA lining.
- Insulated? Yes.
- Includes pockets/storage compartments? One main inner insulated compartment, plus a smaller zip outer pocket.
Pros: Super lightweight at just 300g, this Outwell pick would make an ample 1-2 person picnic hamper. It folds up small for easy storing and the broad carry strap will help to prevent any aches and pains from heavy items.
Cons: The small size may be this 1-2 person picnic basket's downfall, depending on how hungry you are.
Specifications:
- Size: 27cm x 42c, x 22cm.
- Material: Polyester, PEVA, polystyrene, cotton.
- Insulated? Yes.
- Includes pockets/storage compartments? One main compartment with a zipped opening plus Velcro exterior pocket.
Pros: Like a picnic cooler bag in disguise, this tote bag come reusable picnic storage container is playful - with its lime green hue - practical and relatively affordable. Plus, the Velcro added pocket on top of the (already) large capacity, makes for an excellent cutlery or cork screw spot.
Cons: Wipe clean only, unfortunately.
Save money on picnic basket sets, green tweed rugs and rattan furniture for the best outdoor get together by using these John Lewis discount codes when you checkout
Specifications:
- Size: 25cm x 22cm x 28cm.
- Material: 100% PVA free PEVA heat-sealed lining with a Thermos branded stainless steel zipper pull, 100% rPET fabric outer material and durable stainless steel Fastenings.
- Insulated? Insulated with 5mm IsoTec™ premium closed PE foam.
- Includes pockets/storage compartments? One main compartment.
Pros: Being from the household name brand Thermos, we can expect a high-quality and almost deluxe level of insulation. What's more, Thermos have even designed their own signature 400g ice board to pair with this bag, keeping your flasks of juice and water colder for even longer. Lastly, with a padded carry strap, you needn't worry about the weight of your snacks on a beach trip or day out, as the extra padded support will set up 10x better than a beach bag or day-to-day tote.
Cons: As picnic cool bags go, we love this - no complaints here!
Save money on everything from Greenfield Collection picnic bags to melamine plates and more with these Amazon voucher codes
Specifications:
- Size: 40cm x 30cm x 20cm.
- Material: Wicker and gingham cotton inner lining.
- Insulated? No.
- Includes pockets/storage compartments? Two hamper basket compartments with individual opening flaps.
Pros: With a traditional picnic basket design, this natural wicker pick from Amazon will be a picture perfect selection for an aesthetic set up, not to mention the double carry handles help to reinforce its durability for all your bubbly, cutlery and plates.
Cons: No insulation so it might be worth investing in some ice packs.
Save money on picnic tableware, cutlery sets, pepper shakers and more with these Amazon discount codes
Specifications:
- Size: 40cm x 30cm x 47cm.
- Material: Natural willow wicker.
- Insulated? No.
- Includes pockets/storage compartments? One main compartment - like a shopping basket - with two openings.
Pros: Plastic-free and eco-friendly, this willow picnic basket is a generous 40cm tall, perfect for all your snacks, tablecloths, waterproof blankets - you name it. Not to mention, with glowing reviews, it's one of the best quality picnic baskets and you know it'll last you for years to come.
Cons: No insulated lining, nor lining altogether, so we'd recommend using some cotton napkins to wrap up any glass/china items.
Save money on the best picnic baskets with these Amazon discount codes
Specifications:
- Size: 19cm x 42cm x 29cm.
- Material: Willow + polyurethane buckle and handle.
- Insulated? No.
- Includes pockets/storage compartments? One central compartment.
Pros: This John Lewis picnic basket is not only a classic choice, but animal friendly too with faux leather straps and natural willow makeup. Not to mention you could absolutely use it as a stylish storage solution in the colder months.
Cons: With the handle on the side you might want to secure all your picnicware, dinner plates etc. to save the smashing when everything becomes flipped on its side.
Save money on the best picnic baskets with these John Lewis & Partners discount codes
Specifications:
- Size: 30cm x 40cm x 18cm.
- Material: Willow wood wicker with a machine washable fabric lining.
- Insulated? No.
- Includes pockets/storage compartments? One open, central compartment.
Pros: With a cream removable and washable lining, this picnic basket is practically insured against any accidental (and inevitable spills). It's the perfect picnic hamper for two people, it's also one of the best value picnic baskets and it will hold all your wine glasses and tumblers comfortably.
Cons: Being open, it doesn't have the functionality to protect your food from midges and flies, so we'll be grabbing some smaller sealed lunch boxes to fill it with.
Save money on the best picnic baskets with these Amazon discount codes
Specifications:
- Size: 27cm x 38cm x 18cm.
- Material: 600D polyester.
- Insulated? Yes.
- Includes pockets/storage compartments? One main inner insulated compartment, but a smaller zipped front pocket.
Pros: All of the technology of VonShef's legend cooler backpack sets - they really are some of the best picnic backpacks - without all of the crockery that you likely already own, we'd estimate this pick would make an ample four person picnic backpack and buyers have testified as much, too.
Cons: Some reviews claim it's not 100% leakproof, so ensure all your liquids and snacks are airtight.
Save money on VonShef, Apollo Walker and Sunflora picnic backpacks with these Amazon discount codes
Specifications:
- Size: 28cm x 30cm x 37cm.
- Material: Polyester with PEVA insulated white lining.
- Insulated? Yes.
- Includes pockets/storage compartments? One zipped compartment containing plastic wine glasses, plates, knives, forks and spoons, a bottle opener and a chopping board and a 15L insulated compartment.
Pros: More of a picnic hamper set, this insulated picnic backpack in navy blue is beachy, boasts a one-year guarantee and will provide crockery for up to four people - a good picnic accessory if you're hoping to eat en plein air with a gorgeous view all around you. Mwah.
Cons: You'll need to buy a separate chiller pack to place inside if you're planning on picnicking for longer periods.
