Pick a sheltered location in a dappled woodland glade, a wild flower meadow, next to babbling brook, river or canal, by a lake or on the Downs. We are spoiled for choice in the beautiful British countryside.
When you've found the ideal location, look around for a level spot that is not in an animal field or on top of an ants' nest for example.
What about the menu? It’s easy to fall back on pre-packed supermarket foods but try to avoid this if you can.
Food: The BBC Good Food website has some great ideas for packing the perfect picnic. Why not try some chorizo Scotch quails eggs, mini pork pies with piccalilli or a pork and rabbit pie.?
Take some salads. New potato with chives and spring onions is a classic. You could change it a bit and use sweet potato instead.
Chicken and chorizo combinations are great. Here are a few other recipes to give you some inspiration.
Take crusty bread and a nice ripe brie and pair then food with a cider to drink.
For desserts try summer fruit salads or Eton mess. What about water melon cut into chunks or a simple cake?
Drinks could include sparkling wines of your choice, a chilled rose or a full-bodied red, elderflower and cucumber G&Ts or Pimm’s. Or you could take some refreshing alcohol-free cordials.
Once you have planned your location and got your food together, you need to think about what you’re going to pack your picnic in and what utensils you will need.
A good blanket is essential. Pack your picnic into a classic wicker basket or use a more modern picnic set – especially good with an eye to food safety. John Lewis, Next, M&S and Joules all do some lovely classic wicker picnic sets.
If you want to go a little more up market try the Castleton Home set or Fortnum and Mason’s four person set.
For some more modern picnic-ware that won’t break the bank try Domu.
However good the location, the food and the company, you probably won't spend all day on your picnic - so why not fit a trip to a show home into your schedule for the day? Well, we would say that, of course - but, really, why not?
