Park Or Garden — Everything You Need To Host The Perfect Picnic

There's nothing like a picnic. Especially right now, as we head into a season of bank holidays and long weekends — you can’t beat an afternoon in the sun surrounded by your best friends and yummy picky bits (with plenty of SPF and big, floppy sun hat on hand of course). Of course, that’s not to say that they don’t come with their own set of challenges. But even the most ant-hating, wasp-shrieking, “my legs are cramping” complaining friend cannot deny, there’s pure bliss in outdoor eating. (We truly are made to eat fresh fruit and bask in nature with our loved ones.)

And so, there's preparation to be done, my friend! From deciding which portable cocktail to make, to which vegan cocktail sausages to purchase (Quorn, it should ways be Quorn), there's plenty to think about before you reach the most* important consideration of all: how to make your picnic Insta-worthy?

It’s time to step away from the holey picnic blanket your mum gave you and to do better than single-use plastic cups for your beverage of choice. Click on for a plethora of aesthetically pleasing picnic gear to take your park staycation from "nah" to "nice!" Lucky enough to have a garden that fits the gang? No matter how big or small, we’ve also found some of the best garden picnic furniture for your buck, from water resistant bean bags that will plop down anywhere to complete table and chairs sets that tuck away neatly at the end of the day.

*entirely debatable

Alas, most Great British Picnics have to deal with the Great British Weather, which means a waterproof backed blanket is your best friend come rain or shine; dew-drenched grass or beer-soaked park. Especially so if you’re heading to the beach and dealing with soggy sand — it should slide right off the plastic, rather than clogging up your car for an eternity.

Two things to consider when shopping for the one: carry-ability (can you carry it whilst laden down with a punnet of strawberries, bottle of Pimms and share bag of crisps? And across a field while you search for the best spot?) and washability (can you wipe down any sticky residue or throw it into the washing machine?).

So, you have the date set, the location agreed upon, the snacks secured and the six pack chilled and good to go. But how are you going to carry it all? In a suitably themed picnic hamper or basket bag of course. Not all hampers are made equal though. Some come equipped with the full works (glasses, plates, cutlery, insulated compartments, a bottle opener etc) and no one does it quite like Fortnum & Mason for true luxury alfresco dining (of course, with a price that matches).

What if it’s a simple basket bag that you’re after? Perhaps less practical picnic-wise but way more versatile in the long run (you can also use it as a handbag — very chic, very Jane Birkin circa 1960s Paris).

There’s nothing worse than tepid beer, room temperature wine and fizzy drinks without that cold, refreshing zing of being freshly chilled. One of these bad boys — an insulated picnic bag — will do all the hard work for you, keeping the cool in and the sun’s rays out; best used when aided with ice packs. My favourite? Stubble & Co’s The Cooler, £125 which doubles up as a backpack. Perfect for hikers or all-day-trippers.

I’m of the firm belief that everyone needs a really great quality reusable water bottle in their life. Trust me, once you do, you’ll say goodbye to disposable plastic water bottles for good  and you’ll find yourself drinking way more water (yummy, chilled water like it's fresh from the fridge or water cooler) — the ‘drinking from a straw makes you drink more water’ theory is true. I’ve recently upgraded to the 1 litre Ceramic Reusable Bottle from Frank Green, £34.99, which has become my new best friend. I’ve lugged it around to many picnics, dropped it on concrete pavements and hard kitchen tile, and it looks good as new.

Stylish picnic ware shouldn’t come at the cost of stale or cold food and drink. These insulated lunch boxes and food containers will keep your feast fresh, tasty and toasty for hours before its time to eat; and with no leaks. So much nicer and easier to wash than that old pesto-stained Tupperware cluttering up your kitchen cabinet.

It may not seem like a picnic essential now, but just wait until it’s your best friend's birthday and you’re planning a BBQ and games in the park. How else are you going to transport the birthday punch that you brewed specially? Winning points go to these jugs with lids, saving you from tragic spillages.

Maybe you’re planning a more permanent affair — all year round picnics in your garden? You’ll need some sturdy, weather appropriate garden furniture then; whether that’s a garden table set that sits six or a simple park-style picnic bench for quiet contemplation and a morning coffee. Really short on space? I love this outdoor bean bag pillow from Icon via Urban Outfitters. It's light enough to be pulled into the garden when the sun shines.

Essentials these may not be, but when it comes to picnics, you can always take your outdoor situation to the next level with a few fun additions. Personally, Urban Outfitters and Anthropologie are always my first port of call — where else can you find an intricately woven ice bucket, quirky fruit-shaped bottle stopper or disco ball hip flask?