British Food and Travel

Summer is here which means people the length and breadth of the country are packing up their sandwiches and going on a picnic. We’ve come a long way since the thermos of tea, a cheese roll and a hard-boiled egg. Now, picnic lovers enjoy a much wider range of outdoor fare, including salads, cakes, and a smorgasbord of goodies. National Picnic Week is helping to make the most of the great British picnic by sharing food ideas, top picnic spots, and other helpful tips. This year, National Picnic Week runs from June 15 to 24th. Yes, we know that is technically more than a week but it means there are two weekends to pack up the hamper and get outside!

Did You Know…

• There are an estimated 94 million picnics enjoyed in the UK each year. That’s three per person.
• The average amount spent per family picnic (as of 2013) was £26.
• What was the most popular picnic food fifty years ago? The good old cheese sandwich. Today it’s a bag of crisps although we wouldn’t refuse a nice cheese sarnie!
• We have our continental neighbours to thank for the popularity of the picnic. Apparently after the French Revolution, the royal parks were opened to the public. People would make the most of the occasion by bringing a basket of food, and no doubt some wine.

Where to Go.

Everyone has their favourite picnic spot but if you are looking for somewhere new, the National Picnic Week website has plenty of ideas. Each year, hundreds of locations are nominated as Britain’s Best Picnic Spot. A shortlist is compiled of five spots in each of 12 regions. The 2018 winner will be announced shortly. The 2017 winner was Devon’s Jubilee Gardens. Among the many places shortlisted this year: Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, Murlough Nature Reserve, Barafundle Bay, Formby Beach, Northumberland Dark Sky Park, Lickey Hills County Park, Padley Gorge Trail, Rievaulx Abbey, Lydford Gorge, New Forest National Park, Hampstead Heath, and Brancaster Beach. 

What to Take.

Picnic foods can vary from the traditional Scotch eggs, sausage rolls, and cheese sandwiches to a more adventurous range of salads, wraps, and frittata. If you want to liven up your picnic hamper with a few new treats, you can find some recipes at the National Picnic Week website.

But a successful picnic needs more than good food. Don’t forget something to wash it all down with. And a nice blanket to sit on. Perhaps a sunshade (and definitely sunscreen even if it looks a little overcast). Insect repellant can let you enjoy your food without becoming a meal for the mosquitos. Also remember utensils such as napkins, some cutlery, and plates.

We also want to remember our picnic fondly so don’t leave the food out in the hot sun for too long. A cool box can be a great way to keep things at the right temperature. Likewise, if you are going to do any cooking, perhaps a barbecue, be careful to cook everything thoroughly. And wash your hands before sharing the food.

Lastly, we all know that the best way to enjoy your picnic is to share it with good company. So grab your favourite food and your favourite people, and head outdoors for some picnic fun.