Luxury London Picnics: How to Eat Al Fresco in Style
London in the sunshine means one thing: it’s time to picnic.
Whether you're spreading a rug in Hyde Park, heading for Hampstead Heath with a view, or heading to a summer concert, few things feel more luxurious than a picnic done well.
We’re officially banishing plastic cutlery and limp packet sandwiches.
A London picnic deserves a touch of style, a little planning, and just enough indulgence to feel special. Here’s how to upgrade yours.
01 | Elevate with real crockery and glassware
Paper plates never hold up. Plastic cups dull the taste of a Pimms. If you're taking the trouble to pack up a picnic, go for something better. If you pack glassware and crockery with care to prevent breakages, nothing’s off limit.
Vintage enamelware is light, robust and charming. Glass bottles are ideal for homemade lemonade or punch. Kilner jars store dips, dressings and fruit salads neatly.
Try:
Glass bottles for drinks and jars for dressings and dips - these are reduced at the time of writing
Wicker hampers and baskets or these woven cooler totes and rattan wine cooler bags
02 | Napkins that don’t blow away
Large cloth or linen napkins serve as bibs, tablecloths or even wraps for warm bread. They’re washable, reusable, and won’t scatter in the wind. If you want a truly personal touch, look at Holly & Co for customisable designs.
03 | Dips and drinks that look homemade (even if they’re not)
Short on time? Buy good quality hummus, pesto or tzatziki and decant into jars. Add a label or handwritten tag.
Got 15 minutes? Try making:
04 | The build-your-own sandwich bar: picnic version
Pack egg mayo, coronation chicken or tuna mayonnaise into jars or ceramic bowls. Bring crusty rolls, plenty of cutlery and let guests help themselves. Add sliced cucumber, grated cheese, chopped herbs and salad leaves as optional extras. Skip butter to avoid melting. The creamy fillings will hold their own.
05 | How to keep bees and wasps at bay in summer
Sweet drinks, fruit platters and aromatic foods attract insects. Keep drinks sealed. Use jars with lids for dips. Set food under mesh covers when not being served. Bring discrete bin bags for waste and wrap well.
06 | Flowers, lighting, bunting and balloons
Pick up small flowers from a local florist or Columbia Road Market, and display in stable vases or jugs. Battery-operated fairy lights or tea lights in jars (no open flames) add atmosphere for evening picnics. If you have a spot under a tree, hang bunting or tie balloons in the branches.
07 | Foldable chairs and tables
A picnic rug is perfect, but not for everyone. Older guests may appreciate a backrest and not getting up from the ground. Cushions for those sitting on the ground will be gratefully received too. A folding table can separate drinks from food and help with serving.
Find compact waterproof options from John Lewis, Decathlon or Not On The High Street.
08 | What to pack (and what many forget)
Bring:
Cool packs, wine cooler and ice bucket pre-filled with ice cubes
Lemon sliced up for gins and water and mint for Pimms
Plenty of water and soft drinks for drivers
Snacks for nibbles while your guests assemble
Waterproof rugs and umbrellas for sun or rain
Hats, suncream, wipes, sanitiser
Kitchen roll, cocktail sticks, bin bags
A chopping board from home to give you a flat surface (helps prevent spills)
Spare bag for dirty dishes and cutlery
A cricket bat, frisbee and a small Bluetooth speaker
Don’t forget a bottle opener, corkscrew, salad servers and paper or reusable straws
09 | Where to buy deli-quality food in London without cooking
No time? No problem. These London delis and food halls can do the hard work:
Melrose & Morgan (Primrose Hill, Hampstead) – seasonal salads and mains
Partridges (Chelsea) – quiches, pâtés and cakes
Fortnum & Mason - wander the food hall, cheese counter and deli, right next to Green Park
Panzer’s (St John’s Wood) – picnic boxes and smoked fish
La Fromagerie – cheese, fruit and chutney
Ottolenghi – vegetable-led sides and pastries
De Beauvoir Deli - a luxury picnic assembled to order and presented in a canvas bag or wicker hamper ready for collection
10 | Outsource the entire thing: luxury picnic delivery in London
For a special occasion, skip the prep entirely. Hire a chef or mobile catering team to deliver your picnic, style the table, and even stay on to serve.
Add a mobile bar, a mixologist or a live musician for full effect.
Your CiD EA can organise all of it. We match your venue to the right supplier, arrange delivery and collections, and take care of every detail. All you need to do is arrive, enjoy the company of loved ones and great food.