We wouldn’t quite be true Brits if we didn’t spend each winter counting down the days to picnic season. Now that the weather has picked up, the local parks have become less of a mud bath and the flowers are in full bloom; we’re here to help you have the best picnics ever.
Location, Location, Location
As Phil Spencer and Kirstie Allsopp say, it really is all about location, location, location! We’re incredibly blessed to live in a country with such a wide choice of scenery to immerse ourselves in whilst we enjoy our picnics. From Durdle Door to the slopes of Snowden, our choices are endless, and the key is to utilise them.
Our advice for choosing the perfect picnic spot is to find a little corner of peace and tranquillity. We’ve all seen Hyde Park in the summer, polka dotted with picnic blankets, and, as much as we love being amongst a bit of hustle and bustle; we do enjoy a little seclusion away from it all. When planning your picnic, ask your friends and family if they know of any local hidden gems that could be the perfect place to set up your open-air feast.
For example, Izzy, our Brand Assistant, loves to enjoy summers down in the gorgeous town of Dartmouth in Devon. Her advice is ‘Take the time to look for your spot. Don’t just settle for the first one that you see – you won’t regret it! Years ago, my family and I were looking for a spot to tuck into our takeaway sandwiches and the town of Dartmouth was rather busy. So, we took a little walk up out of the town and came across the most beautiful cove with only a handful of people in it. It was peaceful looking out at the vibrant blue sea, taking in the sun and it genuinely made my sandwich taste 10 times better!’
Picnic in Style
You can’t quite have a picnic if you haven’t got a way to transport your goods. Thankfully, our good friends at Todhunter have got you covered. As a quintessential British brand based in Sussex, we can’t get enough of their gorgeous range. You may well know that this summer, you could be in with a chance of winning one of their swanky hampers (alongside a MINI Clubman – the perfect picnic-mobile!). Simply pop all of your goodies into one, or a couple, of their beautiful baskets and you are well on your way. Todhunter are also about more than just hampers, they also have a gorgeous range of picnic accessories, including cushions, tote bags and Herringbone throws, which are particularly handy for when the sun (inevitably!) disappears, and things begin to get a little bit chilly!
The Main Event
Of course, the main priority at a picnic is the food itself. Picnic nibbles need to be easy to transport, and easy to eat whilst also tasting delicious. Picnics are the best occasions for sharing so make sure you’ve got a good variety that everyone can just pick and nibble from. Our brand new Snacking & Sharing range is perfect for this, a couple of boxes of Dinky Rolls with a few Swirls are great for kicking things off and then you can delve into our moreish Quiches such as our Spinach, Feta & Red Pepper or Smoked Bacon & Mature Cheddar. For those that like a slightly lighter option, one of our Frittata’s will go down a treat.
Getting each member of the picnic party to bring an item along is a great way to make sure that there is more than enough to go around. A light salad or some breadsticks with a dip or a chutney; or some freshly baked bread and cheese, are perfect options to go with your Higgidy delicacies. Remember to support British made produce where you can by checking the label or using a local corner shop or greengrocer. Also, having something for those with a sweet tooth is key to pleasing everyone. Our Chocolate Mud Pie Ice-Cream Sandwiches are certain to be a crowd pleaser – from Granny & Grandpa to the kids.
So, what are you waiting for? It’s time to #DoPicnicsProud and celebrate the summer the best way us Brits know how!
If you’ve got one of our snazzy summer packs, enter your code here! You might just win yourself a Mini.
