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picnic ideas: how to have the perfect picnic

3 avr. 2025 Denby

Gathering outdoors with a delicious picnic is the perfect way to spend some quality time with your family and friends. 

When the sun is shining, there's nothing better than a picnic in the great outdoors. While having a picnic is a great way to relax and unwind, there can be a little preparation and packing to do before you set out to find the perfect spot to eat in. To help, we'll be giving you our tips for creating the best picnic, including:

We'll also give you our ideas for planning the perfect picnic for any occasion or theme, such as:

what to take on a picnic

The key to a great picnic is preparation, so you might want to write yourself a checklist so you can make sure you pack everything you need, including:

picnic food ideas

The best picnic foods are those that can be prepared in advance and eaten cold. It's important that your food can handle the travel so try to prepare dishes that won't spill as you carry them.

Usually, ready-to-eat foods such as sandwiches, sausage rolls, scotch eggs, and chopped vegetables are a good idea, as they're easier to serve up and eat. Larger dishes such as picnic pies, salads, quiches, pasta salads, and potato salads can be served with the smaller, bite-sized foods.

When preparing bigger dishes such as pies, tarts, or desserts, make sure you cut them into slices before you leave the house to save you the job once you reach your picnic spot.

For a sustainable option, look for ingredients that are in season. Not only will they taste much better, but they'll also require less artificial methods to help them grow and keep them fresh. To help you work out what foods are in season, take a look at the BBC Good Food's seasonal calendar.

If you're looking for some picnic food inspiration, why not try out one of our recipes below?

finger foods and side dishes

Small finger foods are perfect for a picnic spread, as everyone can help themselves while they enjoy their leisurely meal outdoors. You might want to try out some of these appetisers and side dishes for your picnic:

  • tear and share bread rolls
  • minted broad bean tartlets by Anna Barnett
  • Kym Grimshaw's beetroot, goat's cheese and thyme tart
  • sundried tomato and basil houmous
  • pumpkin and herb crispbread

salads

Along with your finger foods and side dishes, you might want to serve a nice fresh salad to add some variety. Any of these salad recipes would be perfect:

  • balsamic roasted vegetables rice salad by Nourishing Amy
  • sun fried tomato and mozzarella salad
  • summer salad recipe
  • chargrilled asparagus with mozzarella
  • beetroot and feta salad
  • blood orange, asparagus and watercress salad

It can be a good idea to prepare your salad in a serving bowl, covering it up with beeswax wraps. This way, you won't need to transfer it into another bowl, and everyone can immediately help themselves once you get to your picnic spot.

Salads can become wet and limp when left in the dressing for too long, so you might want to take your dressing separately in an oil bottle or jar and add it just before you serve.

desserts

After your main meal, you'll no doubt want a little sweet treat. Although some puddings could be difficult to transport, desserts that can be baked individually or cut into smaller slices are perfect. Why not try out one of these recipes below?

drinks

No picnic is complete without a few delicious drinks, and now is the time to create something a little bit special to enjoy in the sun. Juices and freshly made lemonade are perfect options for a summer picnic.

If you’re in the mood for something a little more alcoholic, why not give one of these recipes a go?

  • lemongrass gin cocktail
  • blackberry bellini
  • mint and lime mojito
  • grapefruit and basil cocktail

how to pack the perfect picnic basket

Packing the perfect picnic requires a little know-how to make sure everything is kept cool and nothing gets squashed during transportation. It might be a good idea to take along two separate bags: one for plates, cutlery, serveware, and glassware, and another for your food.

Keep food fresh

Whether you go for a traditional picnic basket or a cooler bag or box, you might want to lay some ice packs along the bottom and sides of your container, especially if you have meat or dairy products. Then, you can start packing your food.

It can be a good idea to pack heavier items towards the bottom of your basket or box. It's best to pack bottles and larger dishes, such as pies and tarts, first before moving onto lighter finger foods and sides. Your salad will fare best at the top of the basket where it won't get squashed.

To prevent leaking, you might want to double check that any liquids are stored in containers with sealed lids before you add them to your picnic basket.

Once you reach your picnic spot, it's a good idea to leave your food in your carrying container. Not only will this help deter insects, but it will also keep your food cool until you're ready to eat. You might also want to keep your basket in a shady spot to stop your ice packs from melting quickly in the sun.

choose the right tableware

Ceramic plates, bowls, cutlery, serveware, and glassware are a more sustainable option to disposable versions. They're also a lot sturdier than paper or plastic alternatives, so consider taking along your usual tableware for a more conscious picnic. Most picnic baskets come with a special compartment complete with straps or buckles to secure your ceramic tableware and keep it safe while you're carrying it.

You'll want to keep your food covered during transport, but that doesn't mean you need to invest in lots of plastic boxes or clingfilm. Beeswax wraps are a great alternative to clingfilm and foil, and are also a more sustainable choice. Simply wrap smaller foods in these wraps or use them to cover your plates and bowls to keep your food fresh.

If you don't have beeswax wraps, you could also place small finger foods and appetisers in cloth napkins. Secure them by folding the corners and tying a knot in the top.

You can also pack your items in bamboo or glass containers ready to decant onto ceramic plates once you reach your picnic spot. This is perfect for messier foods that might spill through beeswax wraps but is still a much more conscious option compared to plastic containers.

where to go for a picnic

One of the best things about a picnic is getting out into the great outdoors and choosing the right picnic spot can help to add atmosphere to your meal. Somewhere green such as your local park would be perfect, especially if you can find a comfortable place under the shade of a tree.

The beach is often a popular choice, particularly for a family picnic, as your little ones can enjoy splashing around in the sea after eating. A river- or lakeside would also be a great option, and the natural landscape and sound of trickling water is bound to help you relax and unwind.

Many national parks have special picnic areas complete with picnic tables and benches for you to settle down on. The National Trust has a wide range of sites all over the UK — just search your location to find the one closest to you.

family picnic ideas

For a family picnic, it's best to take along some simple, mess-free dishes along with your other picnic foods to cater to little ones. Carrot, celery, and cucumber sticks with a few dips can be a good option for small hands, as well as sandwiches with your family's favourite fillings.

The best thing about a family picnic is spending some quality time with your loved ones, so don't forget to plan a couple of activities for everyone to do together. You could bring along a few toys, such as a kite, frisbee, or ball, to play with. You could also plan a scavenger hunt to get everyone exploring your natural surroundings.

indoor picnic ideas

A lovely sunny day is the perfect time for a picnic, but a little bit of rain doesn’t have to ruin your plans because you can easily have your picnic indoors. You could sit at your dining table and lay your picnic foods out on a range of ceramic serveware to encourage everyone to help themselves.

However, if you like the relaxed atmosphere of sitting on the floor, you can lay some blankets and cushions on the ground for everyone to settle down on, placing your picnic foods around you. As you won’t need to worry about mud or dampness, you can use your cosiest blankets and pillows for your indoor picnic.

If you're having an indoor picnic with the kids, you could also make a blanket fort to enjoy the food in.

romantic picnic ideas

A picnic outside can be incredibly romantic, especially if you create the right atmosphere. Why not plan a sunset picnic for your next date night? You could dot a few small lanterns around your picnic blanket to add to the ambience.

When it comes to romantic picnic food, you might want to go the extra mile to impress your partner. A homemade charcuterie board complete with a selection of cheeses, meats, olives, and bread or crostini would be ideal. You can take along a wooden serving board to present your meal on once you find the perfect picnic spot.

Adding some romantic touches such as a bottle of fizz and a couple of wine or champagne glasses can help make the occasion feel more special. As for dessert, chocolate and vanilla truffles would make the perfect sweet treat to end your meal with.

birthday picnic ideas

If someone you love has a birthday coming up and you can't decide how to celebrate, why not have a relaxing picnic? You can serve up your loved one's favourite picnic foods, as well as try out a few new recipes. Our cookie sandwiches would be perfect for serving at a birthday picnic. You could also bring a birthday cake along for everyone to enjoy. Just remember to slice it beforehand for easy serving.

To get into the party spirit, consider serving up one of our delicious cocktails or some wine. We have a fantastic range of glassware, including wine glasses, champagne flutes, and celebration glasses that would be perfect for the occasion.

breakfast picnic ideas

A picnic doesn't just have to be for lunch or dinner, because eating breakfast outside is the perfect way to enjoy a sunny morning. However, as a picnic needs food that will be easy to transport and eat, some of your usual breakfast favourites — such as cereal or pancakes — might be off the menu. Instead, an assortment of pastries, muffins, and chopped fruit would be ideal for your breakfast picnic.Why not try our spiced pumpkin breakfast muffins?

A selection of juices would make a refreshing addition to your breakfast picnic, but you could also take along a flask of tea or coffee to enjoy in a cosy mug. Just add your teabag straight to your flask or brew your coffee beforehand in one of our coffee drippers or cafetieres. Our tips for making a great coffee and guide on how to use a coffee dripper will help you get the most out of your brew.

afternoon tea picnic ideas

An afternoon tea is always a special treat and eating it outside listening to the sounds of nature can help it feel extra luxurious.

For classic afternoon tea flavours, you could serve smoked salmon and cream cheese sandwiches, fruit scones with clotted cream and jam, and a selection of cakes. Why not try out one of our delicious sweet treats?

What would afternoon tea be without the tea? You can take along a flask of your favourite blend and a few cups and saucers to get the full effect.

For a summery twist, why not make a refreshing iced tea for your afternoon tea picnic? Just follow the steps below:

1.    Add your usual teabags (one per person) and a lemon (cut into slices) to a large jug. You can also add sugar to the mix if you prefer a sweeter brew.
2.    Pour over boiling water and let it steep for around five minutes before taking the teabags out. 
3.    Let the drink cool completely and add ice. 
4.    Pop it in a bottle or flask to take with you on your picnic. 

There's nothing better than getting outdoors and enjoying the sunshine with some delicious food, and hopefully this guide has given you a few ideas about what to take on a picnic. These tips should help you plan every step, from your menu to your theming, so you can relax and enjoy your day.

You might also be interested in our selection of expertly made Denby tableware. We have ceramic plates, bowls, serveware, glassware, and cutlery that would be perfect for your picnic. All of our consciously made stoneware is handcrafted in Derbyshire, England from locally sourced clay using traditional pottery techniques, so you can be confident that your tableware will be strong enough for every day.

 

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