The best picnic sets with everything you need to elevate your summer picnics at the park or the beach
There's no denying the catastrophic impact Coronavirus has had on us all, but there have been some positive outcomes. Not least our heightened appreciation for friends and family - and overwhelming desire to see them in person. This summer we can think of nothing better than to celebrate the good weather with at least one picnic in the park or down the beach with our loved ones.
Meeting friends for chats and outdoor pack-up lunches/wine/all the cheese - with our picnic bags and picnic blankets on hand - is something we could all do with, especially knowing the weather is meant to be sunny and warm and we can showcase our new summer dresses and sun hats for the occasion.
At one time, picnics were consigned to the realm of the rich - outdoor banquets were held to impress guests with power and wealth of the hosts. They’d sometimes go on for days, complete with entire outdoor dining set-ups and even servants. While ours might not look quite so lavish, and we're definitely not getting waited on, it doesn’t actually take much to pull off one of these leisurely, gastronomical affairs with serious style... particularly if you know where to look for all the chicest outdoor dining equipment. (We do).
From stylish plastic highball glasses - each in a different colour so you remember which one is yours - to melamine bowls for the vibrant salad, we've got all the essential dining pieces covered for a seamless outdoor eating experience. Our edit even includes a picnic-friendly champagne bucket (let's face it, warm bubbly is never acceptable) and cute wicker picnic baskets that are so Instagrammable you'll want to carry them everywhere. Make sure you check out our guides to the best garden furniture, pizza ovens, BBQs and patio heaters while you're here and upgrade your alfresco lifestyle entirely.
Best picnic blanket
The Everything Picnic Blanket, £145, Partner In Wine
There's nothing worse than cramming onto a teeny tiny picnic blanket when you just want to lounge and enjoy your rose in style, is there? That's why self-proclaimed wine enthusiast, Lucy Hitchcock, founder of Partner In Wine created the ultimate picnic blanket by Partner in Wine, The Everything Blanket. Following the success of her insulated bottle and tumbler range, and with a passion for enjoying alfresco moments with friends, Lucy has carefully assessed all aspects of gathering in the great outdoors with the view of bettering these moments, fusing design with function and resulting in products that elevate the everyday. The Everything Blanket has room for everyone (2m x 2m), has hidden pocket for valuables, a durable water repellent coating and a v. Insta-worthy design.
Best picnic basket
Olli Ella Woven Basket,
£45£31, AnthropologieWho doesn't want to look stylish while carrying around their snacks? That's exactly where this woven basket from Anthropologie comes in handy, all you need do is pretend your in the South of France - you'll certainly look the part.
Best melamine picnic set
Set of Six Medium Melamine Bowls, £38, Graham & Green
If your picnic treats extend outside the realm of hummus and chips, these colourful melamine bowls are a must. Whether you plan on serving potato salad or a dessert, they're a useful addition to any picnic arsenal.
Best portable BBQ for picnics
Berghoff Portable Table Top BBQ, £149, Amara
Combine two great summer pastimes - picnics and BBQs with this portable charcoal barbeque. Perfect for grilling on the go, it's an easy way to elevate your usual picnic fare (if you're local park allows BBQs that is.)
Best day picnic flask
Upgrade your next picnic with a Fortnum & Mason flask. Sometimes you don't want a cold drink, or the weather takes a turn and you're in need of a warm refreshment - this is perfect.
Best picnic set for two
Two Person Canvas Picnic Backpack, £195, Fortnum & Mason
Whether you're planning a meet up with your bestie or a romantic picnic with your other half, this set has everything you'll need. Including cutlery plates and linen napkins for two as well as a salt and pepper grinder and a corkscrew, Fortnum & Mason really have thought of everything with this canvas carry all.
Best affordable picnic blanket
Croft Collection Herringbone Tweed & Fleece Picnic Rug, £30, John Lewis
No picnic is complete without a picnic blanket and this stylish checked blanket from John Lewis is a great investment. It comes with it’s own carrier to be easily transported and will withstand an accidental spill or two (just keep the red wine away).
Best picnic gin glasses
Plastic Gin Glass Set of 2, £15, John Lewis
Gin and picnics go together like peanut butter and jam, but glassware unfortunately doesn’t fit into this equation. Rather save yourself the stress and opt for acrylic alcohol glasses like these.
Best picnic drinks dispenser
Rainbow Picnic Drinks Dispenser, £12.50, M&S
Turn your picnic into a party with this rainbow coloured drinks dispenser. Made from clear plastic with a multi-coloured tint and features a sturdy plastic tap and a wide lid so you can easily dispense your summer-inspired punch.
Best picnic glasses
Set of 4 Boston Picnic Highballs, £15, M&S
Whether it's for water of a cheeky G&T, these highball glasses will get used picnic after picnic. Plus in the era of social distancing and staying COVID-safe, we love that you'll be able to easily distinguish which glass is yours.
Best picnic champagne flutes
Set of 4 Rainbow Picnic Champagne Flutes,
£17.50£14, M&SEver noticed how a glass of fizz just tastes better out of a stylish glass? Whilst these might not be the thin champagne flutes of a high end restaurants, these M&S rainbow champagne glasses will definitely still do the job – and you don’t need to worry about balancing them precariously between sips.
Best picnic plates
Set of 4 Rainbow Picnic Side Plates, £15, M&S
Inject some colour into your next picnic scene, with these fun, rainbow side plates from M&S. Durable and stackable for ease of packing, at £15 for 4 we reckon they're a picnic must-have.
Best cool bag
Nautical Foldaway Picnic Cool Bag,
£9.50£7.60, M&SThis handy collapsible design is ideal for easy storage with wipe-clean linings and heat-sealed seams. It's insulated so it can keep food cool or warm and is finished with a cute seahorse pattern - ideal for beach days.
Best picnic wine holder
Métier Linen and Leather Wine Bottle Holder, £480, Matches
This is a seriously sophisticated picnic accessory and perfect for those can't bear the thought of the 2010 vintage rolling around in a ripped Tesco's bag. In a beige linen finished with brown leather trim, it's the most stylish way to transport your vino park side.
Best quirky picnic accessory
Summit Wine Bottle Holder, £8.99, Amazon
Do you need a wine glass and bottle holder for your picnic? Technically no, but we think this might be the most genius invention we've ever seen. No more spilled, wasted vino - what a win.
Best picnic bag set for four people
Greenfield Collection Woven Picnic Backpack Hamper, £55, Selfridges
All your picnic gear (including cutlery) needs a way of being transported to your chosen picnic spot, so this Greenfield Collection bag is a useful accessory to have, especially for four people.
Best luxury accessory for picnics
Heating & Plumbing London Keep Your Cool Champagne Bucket, £85, Selfridges
No-one likes warm champagne, even on a picnic. It may be a bit of a boujee buy, but we can promise that this acrylic and leather champagne bucket will become one of your most used picnic accessories.
Best picnic game
Frescobol Carioca Trancoso Wooden Beach Bat and Ball Set, £160, Mr Porter
Beach bat games aren’t strictly only for sand and sea days; take this seriously stylish beach ball and bat set along for your next picnic for hours of park time enjoyment.
Best picnic set for comfort
Heating & Plumbing London The Ultimate Picnic Toolkit, £335, Selfridges
With a woollen picnic blanket, two outdoor cushions, and a portable champagne bucket all housed in a quote-printed cotton storage bag, this is the ultimate picnic kit if you want to elevate your alfresco dining.
Best designer picnic glasses
Stories of Italy Glasses, £356, Yoox
Elevate your outdoor dining (and drinking) with these beautiful Murano glass tumblers. They might not be the most practical but if you can't bear to drop your standards just because your picnicking, we reckon they're worth carefully bundling to the park.
Best parasol for picnics
Big Iain Octagonal Parasol, £985, East London Parasol Company.
Picnics may be all about the sandwich selection, but let's not forget a fundamental rule of picnics is to keep the drinks cool. Look no further than this fabulous two metre parasol. This trendy umbrella will have nearby picnic-goers looking for a transfer window to yours, plus it'll keep you and your drinks cool all day long.
Best picnic set with blanket
Heating & Plumbing London The Ultimate Picnic Toolkit, £335, Selfridges
Packed with everything you could ever need for a comfortable picnic set up worthy of Instagram, this stylish set is a purchase you'll use year after year. With a woollen picnic blanket, two outdoor cushions, a portable champagne bucket with leather strap and quote-printed cotton storage bag, it'll make every picnic feel like a Michelin starred meal.
Best compostable picnic set
Eco Friendly Picnic Set, £84.99, Not on the Highstreet
If you just know you'll never take care off and use a reusable picnic set, this eco-friendly hamper will ease your guilt at throwing away your plates and cups at the end of the day. Made from plants and completely plastic free, this set of plates, cups and cutlery can be fully composted
Best wool picnic blanket
Heating & Plumbing London Block Check Waterproof Pure New Wool Picnic Blanket, £85, Selfridges
Sure you could just sit on the grass, but we're all about making a picnic an experience and this classic checked picnic blanket is perfect for al fresco dining. It's been stitched with waterproof backing so you and your party will stay dry even on a dewy morning.
Best packaging for picnics
LEON Lunch Beeswax Resuable Lunch Wraps, £20, John Lewis
If you aren’t careful, picnics can quickly become an eco-nightmare. These reusable beeswax wraps are ideal for keeping sandwiches fresh without compromising on your green standards.
Best picnic jug
Lustre Picnic Jug, £12.50, M&S
Just because you're eating on the ground, doesn't mean you have to lower your entertaining standards. Some may say a jug for your Pimms/summer mocktail/green juice is unnecessary, but we're all for making our picnics as fancy as they come.
Best bamboo picnic set
Reusable Bamboo Picnic Cutlery Set, £10.50, Wild and Stone
For picnics that have more than jus finger foods on offer, this bamboo set is a very useful addition to your picnic basket. It comes with a full bamboo cutlery set wrapped in a beautiful cloth bag and it can be used again and again.
