• Home
• Barbeque
  • BBQ Cuttlery
  • BBQ Grills
  • BBQ Skewers
  • BBQ Tools
  • BBQware
  • Barbeques
  • Gifts and Accessories
  • Wine Bottle Holders
• Cool storage
  • Ice Packs
• Flasks
  • Hip flasks
  • Stainless steel
• Hammocks
  • Cotton Hammocks
• Picnic Backpacks
  • Azur Backpacks
  • Hot Stuff Backpacks
  • Other Picnic Bags
  • Rambler Backpacks
  • Riva Backpacks
• Picnic Baskets
  • 2 Person Baskets
  • Carnival Baskets
  • Tea Drinkers
  • Wine Lovers
• Picnic Furniture
  • Folding Steel Chairs
  • Picnic Tables
• Picnic Rugs
  • Compact Rugs
  • Luxury Rugs
  • Rug Rolls
  • Traditional Rugs
• Picnic Shoulder Bags
  • Carry Bags
  • Highline S'Bag
  • PicnEco Bags
• Picnic baskets
  • 4 person baskets
  • Casual
• Special Offers
  • Cheap Family Day Out
• Shopping links

Travel-friendly food for your picnic table

One of Britain’s greatest summertime traditions is picnicking. Eating outside, regardless of the weather, is as popular today as ever, and the British adore tucking into their pre-prepared food, from simple snacks such as sandwiches and pies, to a luxurious champagne hamper for their picnic table.

Some like to picnic by the sea, others in the park or a playing field, but whatever and wherever you'll be picnicking, fork and finger food is the most favoured picnic table food. Pasties, pies, tarts, terrines, quiches, and frittatas make ideal food for picnics, as do ready-made salads, and pasta or rice based dishes. Also cold noodles, couscous, quinoa and other grain-based dishes are easy to prepare for picnics. You may consider, as a change from the usual, beans and pulses such as broad beans and chickpeas – these are utterly delicious as picnic foods, why not give them a go and fill your picnic table with delicious food!!

Although the ordinary salads are perfectly suitable for picnic tables, perhaps think out-of-the-box and look beyond the mayonnaise supermarket salads and try something different, like Mediterranean and Middle East foods for example. There are wonderful ranges of inspiring and flavoursome foods from hot countries, and you may want to try them for a refreshing change. In the hot summer months, lemon and limejuice, fruity olive oil, fresh herbs, garlic, chillies, toasted nuts, and spices can liven up your picnic considerably, and we recommend you give natural yoghurt or mascarpone a try as an alternative to mayonnaise.

There are several ways you can enhance your picnics. For a sandwich filling with a difference, drain a tin of quality tuna of its oil or brine, add finely diced red onion or sweetcorn (or both!), a little dried or fresh chilli (remember to remove the chilli seeds if you don’t like it hot!), and bind it with a recognised brand of quality mayonnaise. To season add a pinch of salt and freshly ground black pepper, then stir in a small amount of freshly picked and roughly chopped basil leaves. Spread thickly on slices of good bread, preferably dense, wood-fired bread or white baguette, or alternatively serve with slices of raw vegetables such as carrots, baby courgettes, celery, and peppers.

How to prepare:

Make sure you take separate cool bags: take one for drinks, and one for your chilled foods (pies, cold meats etc.) You can use a mini fridge for the drinks to keep things nicely chilled!

Individual portions: Think practically and pack your food in individual portions before leaving for your picnic trip – this means you won’t have to take serving cutlery, and it will be easier to carry.

What should you take for your picnic?

Portable Barbeques: If you are going to a picnic spot where barbeques are permitted, the best option is a small gas-powered portable BBQ, as they are not particularly smoky so your fellow picnickers will not be effected, and also easy to transport - click here to see our range of portable BBQs…

Waterproof rug: sometimes the ground maybe damp, so ensure you have a waterproof picnic blanket or under-sheet to prevent everyone feeling damp while sitting down - click here to see our range

Stay safe: to keep everyone’s skin safe from sunburn, always take sun cream or sun block, and it’s wise to pack a small first aid kit.

Pack extra games: if there are kids going on the picnic, take a few outdoor games to keep them amused, and while your at it, why not take a small radio or a book for yourself (check out our Rock Box)!

What to do when you get there:

Choosing your location: it’s important you respect the space of other picnickers, so make sure you choose a spot which allow them adequate room, particularly if you plan on BBQing or playing games

Keeping bugs at bay: it’s wise to put down some insect repellent when you first arrive at your picnic spot (or you can even use talcum powder!) to keep the bugs at bay whilst you’re tucking into your food.

Cool items in the shade: if you can, try to ensure your cool bags are in the shade to keep their temperature low and place some ice blocks inside.

Extra plastic bags: Remember to clear away the rubbish after you by taking a few extra disposable bags!! All the leftovers and dirty plates/cutlery should be packed away in the bags after use to leave the picnic area exactly as you found it.

Have Fun!