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33 stylish picnic buys to get you ready for al fresco season
The weather may be changeable, but pick your sunny moment and make a statement with these smile-raising designs
Whether you’re planning an al fresco lunch by the seaside with friends or a romantic dinner by the river, our edit of the most stylish picnic accessories has you covered – and there’s not a piece of plastic cutlery in sight.
Today, brands and designers alike are responding to eco-conscious customer demands by providing sustainable alternatives to single-use plastics and paper napkins – hand-woven hampers, portable Champagne ice buckets and crisp cotton napkins. Plus, beeswax wraps and sophisticated food storage to help you combat food waste while keeping things fresh at the same time. All you need now is a sunny day!
‘Leather Trimmed Picnic Basket’, Mulberry
You won't need to pack much else when you've got this nifty basket in your hands as it holds everything you need for outdoor dining: plates, mugs and 12 pieces of Chimo Sheffield cutlery. Plus, the basket is handwoven by the basket-maker Coates Willows in Somerset. £1,90o, mulberry.com
Rainbow waterproof wool picnic blanket, Heating and Plumbing
Heating and Plumbing's bright picnic blanket looks the business, but combines classic style with modern day functionality. Its polyester backing makes it waterproof (ideal for laying on damp grass) while the lemon yellow leather carry handle means packing up is a cinch. £124, selfridges.com
‘Pocket Weekend Bag’ in ‘Off-white’, Ferm Living
Keep things well organised with Ferm Living's ‘Pocket Weekend Bag’, a practical and Scandi-style tote bag. It features external pockets for items that need to be easy to reach, two thick straps for comfort and a thick organic cotton made to last. £49, fermliving.co.uk
‘Hemmingway’ cooler, Business of Pleasure Co.
The detachable cushion on the top of this cooler box turns it into a handy extra seat for those who choose not to sit on the floor. It’s an added feature that will help you justify the exertion of carrying it to the picnic spot. £400, selfridges.com
‘Wilby Motif’ tray, The Conran Shop
Need somewhere to play your dips and nibbles? This tray is the perfect lightweight piece, and its pastel-coloured graphic pattern will get you in the summery mood. £36, theconranshop.com
Beeswax food wraps, Haps Nordic
When wrapping up your sandwiches and snacks, the only appropriate and eco-conscious way to go is to use beeswax food wraps like these affordable and easy to clean examples. £22 for a set of three, smallable.com
‘Nizam Sulphur’ tablecloth, Lisa Corti
It’s as true in the great outdoors as it is at your dining table: a tablecloth turns a meal into an event. Dial up the colour and fun at your picnic with this design, which can transform even the drabbest dinner spot into an explosion of pattern. £255, lisacorti.com
‘Smile’ picnic plate, John Lewis & Partners
This melamine plate is sure not to smash on the way to the park. Plus, its part of a wider collection including bowls, tumblers and more – all at the same affordable price point. £4, johnlewis.com
‘The Muse’ portable lamp, Tala
Created in collaboration with Farrow & Ball (there are four muted colours to choose from) this cordless lantern has a battery that can provide illumination for up to 24 hours – surely you’ll have finished the sausage rolls by then! £275, heals.com
‘Kalas’ bowls, Ikea
You may have picked up your picnic from the nearby supermarket deli aisle, but nobody else has to know that. Decant your buys into these pastel-perfect small bowls from Ikea and the humblest of snacks will be instantly elevated. The bowls are plastic, so hardy enough to be used time and time again. £1.50 for 6, ikea.com
‘Cotton beach blanket’ by Arket
For a more sustainable blanket option, Arket's 'Cotton beach blanket’ ticks all the boxes. Woven from yarn-dyed organic cotton, it has a stripey pattern and decorative fringing along its short ends. It comes in six peppy colourways but this nautical one is perfect for seaside excursions. £19, arket.com
Bamboo picnic cutlery, Wild & Stone
Do your bit to combat plastic waste by bringing along your own bamboo cutlery (plus metal straw) with a handy fabric carry case. This set features a detachable carabiner clip so you hang it off your belt loop or bag. £10.50, wildandstone.com
Seagrass picnic mattress, H&M Home
A woollen picnic blanket may be the traditional choice, but on hot summer days you will welcome this more contemporary option made of natural seagrass. It’s a great option for beach lounging as well as outdoor dining, so that’s relaxation sorted for the whole season. £8.99, hm.com
Multicoloured glass straws, Oliver Bonas
We are all in agreement that plastic straws are unacceptable, but even the paper ones wasteful due to being single-use. These glass ones not only look great, but are dishwasher safe, meaning you can sip with a clean conscience. £10 for six, oliverbonas.com
‘Primavera’ steel mug, Bornn
We love the peach and cobalt combination of this sturdy on-the-go mug, which is handmade in Turkey by fusing glass to steel. All you need to remember now is to pack the Thermos of tea. Approx £17, shop.bornn.com.tr
‘Khymer’ fan, Toast
If (and this is a big if when it comes to the British summer) the heat gets a bit too much for you, having this folding palm leaf number in your bag could be a saviour. The design comes in two tonal colourways and every one is handmade in Cambodia. £12.50, to.ast
‘Madrid’ glassware set by Jonathan Adler
Bring a piece of Madrid's outdoor dining culture home with Jonathan Adler's jazzy four-piece tumbler collection. Adorned with marine blue and glamorous gold patterns, it's perfect for celebrating special occasions. £135 for a set of four, uk.jonathanadler.com
‘Park Pique-Nique’ picnic basket, Hermès
The height of al fresco luxury, this is a picnic set for the host that has it all. The hand-woven wicker basket, with details of smooth bull calf leather, contains everything you need for a party of four –crystal glasses, cutlery and ‘Passifolia’ china plates. £12,350, hermes.com
Cooler bag by Business & Pleasure, Amara
Keep your beverages at the perfect temperature whatever the weather in this nautical-look striped cooler bag. It has a canvas exterior with leather detailing and is available in a choice of seven colours. £78, businessandpleasure.com
Folding knife, Labour and Wait
How are you going to serve saucisson or comté without a handy knife? The clever, foldable design of this classic French example dates back to 1890, so it’s a design classic you can be proud to whip out for slicing and portioning. £14, labourandwait.com
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