Get ready for summer with gorgeous picnic accessories for alfresco living

The warmer and better weather is very definitely on the way – hooray! Help yourself to forget wintery showers and grey mornings by investing in some bright new picnic accessories, so that as soon as the sun shows his face you’ll be good to go. Very soon it’ll be warm enough to eat lunch outside in the garden, and then it’s only a hop, skip and a jump to warmer evenings with lazy bottles of wine. In the meantime, you can always have a ‘carpet picnic’ indoors and pretend!

Here are our picks.

1. Fish picnic blanket, Annabel James

First port of call is a smart picnic blanket, such as this fish design. Go for a purpose-made option with waterproof backing, so you don’t get soggy sandwiches! Something that rolls up neatly and has its own carry handle is a good option too, for easy transport. £36.95, available from Annabel James.

2. Tweed picnic blanket, Tweedmill

Still with that all-important waterproof backing but with a classic fishbone tweed design, this picnic rug will take you from racecourse to riverbank with ease. Made in the UK, it has a fleece inner and tweed pocket. £44.95, available from Black by Design.

3. Set of two copper wine glasses, VonShef

Plastic glasses are the safe option on picnics, but aren’t always the most stylish thing ever. That’s why we were so excited when we spotted these stainless steel wine ‘glasses’ with an on-trend copper finish – not only are they completely unbreakable, they also look great and keep your drink cool for longer than glass. They’re also available as champagne flutes or water glasses. £17.99 for two, available from domu.co.uk.

4. Rose gold paper cups, Cake and Candle

Sometimes you don’t want to spoil the moment by thinking about the washing up – and these foil-wrapped paper cups are a stylish, adult alternative to disposable cups. They’re also light to carry, if you’ve got far to walk. £2.99 for a pack of eight, available from Cake and Candle. 

5. Garden birds picnic bag, Sophie Allport

This large cool bag boasts a 25 litre capacity which means it’s spacious enough to carry a picnic for the whole family. It’s packed with extra thick insulation that will keep food and drink cool and fresh for hours. Made from oilskin, it’s practical to wipe clean, or to dry if it gets caught in a shower. £32, available from Sophie Allport.

6. Bembridge picnic basket, Garden Trading

With its open-top style, this basket is roomy, sturdy and easy to load. Made from chunky woven Kubu rattan and solid rattan handles, this picnic basket is built to last. £45, available from Garden Trading. 

7. Solar kettle, The Glow Company

Hot drinks never taste quite the same if they’ve been stewing in a flask for hours. This sophisticated solar kettle not only means you can brew up from scratch from direct sunshine, but will also keep the finished drink hotter for longer. Available from The Glow Company, priced at £39.95.

8. Tiger bamboo plate, Klevering

A cut above plastic or paper is this bamboo plate from Dutch company Klevering, in a choice of two hand-drawn jungle designs by Amsterdam illustrator Bodil Jane. It costs £6.75 and is available from Printer + Tailor.

9. 70s flower enamel mug, Orla Kiely

Add a little retro chic to your picnic with this retro-inspired enamel mug in a signature 70s ovla flower print. The hardwearing enamel design makes it perfect flinging into a backpack or bicycle basket, and it’s available in a choice of colours. £12.95, available from Orla Kiely.

10. Natural wicker picnic hampers, Sue Ryder

Enjoy long, lazy days with this versatile small picnic wicker hamper, which includes a strong handle to complete the look.  Fill it up with delicious food or other picnic essentials.  Was £9.99, now just £6.99 from Sue Ryder.  

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