What makes the perfect picnic?
There's something about eating outside that makes everything taste better. Maybe it's the fresh air, or the whole process of laying everything out on the picnic blanket. Either way, a picnic done well is one of the simplest pleasures summer has to offer.
Whether you're heading to the park with the family, finding a quiet spot in the countryside, or setting up in the back garden with a blanket and a book, the secret to a great picnic is the same: good food, kept simple.
Here's how to put together the perfect picnic:
Start with the centrepiece
Every great picnic has a focal point. A proper spread of sharing food sets the tone and means everyone can dig in at their own pace. Think generous portions, easy-to-grab pieces, and a mix of flavours that work together without needing any prep on the day.
A fresh summery quiche or a colourful cous cous salad both travel well, taste great al fresco, and can easily be scaled up or down depending on how many picnic guests you have.
Add some colour with seasonal fruit and veg
A picnic that looks as good as it tastes always goes down well. Seasonal fruit and veg does that work naturally - vibrant, fresh, and ready to eat. Good quality tomatoes, crisp salad leaves, berries for sweet snacking afterwards: these are the things that turn a simple spread into something worth lingering over. You might even find that some fruits are more versatile than you thought – like a chopped blush apple adding freshness to this roasted sweet potato salad.
See what’s in season now over at our summer fruit and veg range, handpicked from local markets.
Don't forget something sweet
No picnic is complete without something sweet to enjoy at the end. A slice of cake, a scone with jam, a pastry from a local bakery – it's the cherry on top of a great picnic spread.
Thatchers bakery has got you covered with their delicious sweet treats, including fluffy cakes, scones, and pastries. Every single one is freshly baked locally, and can be delivered straight to your door through Creamline.
Top tips for summer picnics
The best picnics are relaxed ones. Here are a few tips to make everything as straightforward as possible, no matter how many people you’re catering for.
- Pack non-chilled items the night before to give you less to do in the morning
- Keep cold items together and add an ice pack if it's a warm day
- Bring more napkins than you think you need.
- Add any dressings at the last minute, so salads stay crisp
- Get your picnic goodies delivered to your door, instead of spending a sunny day stuck in the supermarket
Everything in our Best of Local shop, including our new summer range, can be delivered straight to you by our friendly roundspeople. We cover Cheshire, Wirral, Greater Manchester, and Warrington – just pop in your postcode to get started.
