Beforehand

How many people are coming with you?
Ideally, you want to arrive with a full basket, and leave with an empty one, so you should calculate how much food all your hungry friends will want. Remember,
picnicking is not like being at the table: people tend to eat more leisurely and probably a little more than usual.

A lovely cuppa
If you are feeling unsure about how the weather will hold up, a hot flask of tea is a good recourse if it all goes very 'British’, so to speak…

Food
In general, the food eaten on picnics is less sophisticated than what we eat at home – it’s one of the reasons we enjoy them so much – so keep the food nice and simple. (see our tasty picnic recipes for more ideas)

Plastic fantastic
Sticking with the 'keep it simple’ idea, paper plates and plastic knives, forks, spoons and glasses are much more convenient on a picnic. Thankfully, the chance of purchasing more attractive plastic crockery is a lot more common now.

While you are there

Personal space
Once you arrive, choosing the perfect spot can make all the difference and you will find that patience pays off. If you stake claim to your ground as soon as you arrive in the park, there will be a steady stream of other picnickers and park-goers coming and going past you. Explore a little more for that perfect spot.

Thinking of others
Be respectful of other picnickers too, by leaving them with plenty of their own space to enjoy.

Nice Rug
Of course, you need a clean, dry place to sit when you get there and a rug is the traditional choice. A waterproof rug is preferable as there may have been rainfall over night making the ground wet. Also, depending on how many people are coming along, you may need a bigger rug (or more than one).

Fun and Games
After eating, you may just feel like reading, chatting or simply lying back and relaxing in the sun, but the children will probably have more energy. Frisbee and football are popular after-picnic games, but if you fancy something a bit different, why not bring a shuttlecock and badminton racquets?

Bug Off!
In Britain we are mercifully bug-free compared to hotter climates, but a can of bug spray can do wonders for keeping unwanted little visitors from turning (especially those greedy wasps!) but careful not to spray any on the food.

A Cold Snack
There are usually plenty of ice-cream vans dotted around parks in fine weather, and that can certainly make a satisfying dessert. In any case, bringing your own will probably mean you will have to deal with a big mess once you open the tub.

Once you leave

Keeping it Green
Hopefully, the great outdoors will have been very good to you, so please say 'thank-you’ by treating it with the same respect. If you bring plastic bags or bin bags in your basket you can get rid of all your leftovers and wrappers that inevitably build up during a picnic.