Essentials for the perfect summer picnic

Fact – food tastes better outdoors (not a scientific fact, but we’ve decided it’s true), especially when the sun is shining. And nothing says ‘Great British summer’ better than a picnic.

To make sure you make the most of the summer days and pack in as many picnics as possible, we’ve filled this blog with all of our picnic must haves. So whether you’re off to the park, the beach, a festival or even just the garden, you can enjoy a delicious alfresco feast, without a soggy sandwich in sight.

What do you take on a picnic? 

There are some picnic essentials you just can’t do without, so we’ve come up with a picnic checklist to make sure you’re not caught short when eating outdoors.

– Picnic basket or bag to transport your food and drink – ideally an insulated one to keep your food fresh.

– Picnic plates, cups and cutlery. We don’t suggest taking your every day dinner plates though – the last thing you want is to be taking broken crockery home with you! Thankfully there are lots of great outdoor-friendly options like melamine. Plus there are lots of reusable outdoor cutlery options too.

– Cutting board – this will be invaluable if slicing up food to share around or cutting a slice of lime for your G&T.

– A picnic mat or blanket, to avoid soggy bottoms.

– Alternatively, a fold-away picnic table – if you’re feeling fancy. Don’t forget the chairs if you’re going for this option.

– Napkins – you can never have enough of them on a picnic, especially when you’ve got a lot of finger food.

– Insect repellent – if you’re venturing into the great outdoors, you’ll want something to keep unwanted guests like flies and other insects away from you. To keep them off your food, food covers are good things for picnics too.

Picnic essentials for the perfect summer outing

If you’re not sure where to start with gathering your supplies, here are our top-pick picnic essentials to help you get organised before you set off on your alfresco adventures.

Picnic bag for a family

The 20L Lakeland Insulated Backpack Cool Bag is made with a reflective aluminium foil lining to keep the contents cool, a large easy-access zip compartment, buckle-fastened front pouch and a pocket for water bottles on the side, it’s well-equipped for a range of outdoor adventures, as well as long journeys, taking to work, picnics and beach days. And as if that wasn’t enough, it’s made from rPET, which is manufactured from recycled drinks bottles, so you’ll be doing that little bit extra for the environment without really doing anything at all.

For something a little more eye catching our Lakeland Summer Meadow Cool Tote Bag is covered in a unique Summer Meadow print guaranteed to draw admiring glances and bring a smile to your face. Plus, it’s made from 100% recycled PET and will see you through impromptu picnics, work lunches, and family days on the beach.

Top tip – pop in an ice pack into your picnic bags to help keep food chilled for even longer.

Non-intrusive insect repellent

Forget smelly DEET bug sprays and the age-old flap and swat dance – thanks to the Thermacell Halo Mini Patio Shield Mosquito and Midge Repeller you can enjoy the great outdoors without the worry of an insect invasion.

Thermacell’s innovative technology creates a 20m Sq. zone of protection to ward off unwanted intruders like small flies, mosquitoes and midges without harming them. Lightweight and sleekly styled, it’s great for the garden, park and even the beach, comes with 12 continuous hours’ protection included and has a weather-resistant lid to protect it from the elements between uses.

Price: £34.99

Sturdy picnicware for the outdoors

Featuring our exclusive floral design, our mix-and-match Summer Meadows Picnicware Range is made from extra-tough, hard-wearing, lightweight melamine, which is as party-proof as it is pretty. With complementing plates, bowls, tumblers and serving spoons, you’ll be the envy of all other picnic goers. Price: from £3.49

If you prefer something a little more understated, our White Melamine Picnic Range will set the scene for summer soirées by bringing a touch of class to your outdoor eating experience.

The best drinkware for posh picnics

Going for a day at the races? Birthday brunch at the park? Some occasions, and drinks, call for something a bit more special than a plastic beaker, but you don’t want to run the risk of breaking your best glasses… The solution? Our Crystal Acrylic Outdoor Drinkware range. While they might look like costly cut crystal, these sophisticated glasses are a robust acrylic replica that’ll make you feel fancy while you sip your fizz, without the risk of breakages. Cheers to that!

You’ll find wine glasses, tumblers and a lidded serving jug in the range.

The best flask for families

This insulated 1.2L Thermos King Grey Large Flask will keep your drinks either hot or cold for up to 24 hours – long enough for any adventure. And the generous size means you can pour out either a refreshingly cold drink or comforting brew for the whole family on your picnic. The twist and pour stopper allows you to pour your drinks easily, with minimal risk of spilling, and the integral handle makes it easy to carry. Better still, it’s virtually indestructible, as the flask’s interior, exterior and cup are all made from stainless steel and will withstand all manner of drops and bashes while you’re out and about.

Price: £32.99

Practical Serving Platter

Whatever your prepping for your picnic this durable lidded 5-compartment serving platter will prove itself again and again. Practical and portable, the Lakeland Lidded Divided Serving Platter serves up delicious food, indoors and out.