32 Food & Drink Al Fresco Dining O


ne of the great things about the British weather is that when the sun comes out, we know how to make


the most of it. When the temperature rises above 15C, you’ll often fi nd fl ocks of people, armed with prosecco and scotch eggs, heading to their nearest park. But while picnics are great fun, there’s no doubt they can be a messy aff air, too, with many people leaving their waste, such as paper plates and plastic cups, behind. To make your picnic more


eco-friendly, we’ve rounded up some fancy bits of kit that not only look good but are great for the local environment, too. And make sure to take your rubbish home with you to ensure our green spaces can be enjoyed by everyone.


The hamper Picnic ready


Summer has fi nally arrived, and with it, the long-awaited return of picnics in the park. Dress up your day out with these stylish and sustainable buys, from British wicker baskets to wine-resistant blankets. Words by Layla Turner


Say goodbye to paper plates and plastic cups with this ultra-luxe off ering from Regency Hampers. T is Luxury Fitted Picnic Hamper Basket contains enough goodies for up to four people — everything you need for upmarket al fresco lunch. Dine off fi ne porcelain plates, sip from stainless steel cups and season with salt and pepper shakers, all housed in a chic wicker basket with a carrying handle. regencyhampers.com


The blanket


Meet the picnic blanket of your dreams — Insta-worthy, comfortable to the touch, and most importantly, wine proof. Lucy Hitchcock, founder of Partner In Wine, was fed up with having to squish onto an itchy blanket with her friends, and saw the opportunity to create something she didn’t think existed. T e Everything Picnic Blanket, in a candy-pink stripe


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design, is large enough to seat a big group of friends, has a secret pocket to store your valuables, and thanks to its gold peg pins, is completely unfl appable. partnerinwine.co.uk


The straws


Want to make the switch from plastic straws while avoiding the soggy mess that paper alternatives leave you with? T ese playful, bee-shaped metal straws from Joanna Buchanan are an environmentally friendly alternative to plastic or paper products — simply pop into your beverage and enjoy your drink, while contributing to the preservation of the bee’s natural habitat. harrods.com


The wine cooler


Nothing ruins a picnic faster than lukewarm wine. Keep your tipple of choice cool this summer with the Greenfi eld Collection Duo Wine Cooler Bag. Large enough to accommodate two bottles of wine, the bag is fully insulated, with four layers of premium materials to guard against heat penetration, ensuring the contents can be kept either cool or hot for between fi ve to seven hours, or longer when used alongside ice packs. greenfi eldcollection.co.uk


The picnic table


T is foldable picnic table from John Lewis makes dining outdoors a breeze. Gone are the days of balancing your food and drinks on wobbly terrain; instead, unfold this lightweight picnic table and set up your food and drinks on the sturdy table top. It also features a handy, built-in wine holder, and tucks away nicely into a picnic basket or backpack. johnlewis.com


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