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2 months ago
Up your picnic game without lifting a finger
The sun is shining and the parks are full with picnickers aplenty. Sure, you can go to M&S and load up on their ‘to go’ range, but when crisps and dips don’t quite cut the mustard, why not kick things up a notch with a ready-made picnic hamper? An ever-growing collection of delis, shops and delivery services are offering fine portable feasts. Here are the best luxury picnic hampers in London.
£40
English artist and designer Olivia Sewell has collaborated with St John’s Wood cafe Soutine to give it a suitably chic Parisian-inspired makeover. As well as dressing the terrace in bespoke fabrics, she has crafted tote bags filled with delicious picnic fare. Think cheese, chutney, French baguette, Perello olives and Rose de Triennes. Grab one to enjoy in the nearby Regent’s Park or Primrose Hill.
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Picnic Hamper, £100
Organic farming empire Daylesford, which has a number of farm shops across the capital, is a treasure trove of top-quality produce. You can try some of its best picnic items in this hamper, which includes fruit bread from the bakery, cheddar from the creamery, Gloucestershire ham, red onion chutney and apricot nectar. Then, on the sweet side, there’s lemon drizzle cake and shortbread hearts – plus you get a bottle of prosecco.
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The Picnic Spread, £66
North Londoners, pick up a hamper from The De Beauvoir Deli and head for a feast in Regent’s Park. This spread includes a delicious selection of picnic treats: focaccia, Perello gordal olives, comte, and mixed charcuterie on the savoury side, and homemade brownies and blondies for pudding. Fancy a glass of vino? Add a bottle of red, white, rose or sparkling to upgrade your afternoon.
Set The Bar Al Fresco Hamper, £100
Hosting a party picnic? Keep your group stocked up for the afternoon with this drinks-focused al fresco hamper. It comes with prosecco, wine, beer and gin, plus snacks including smoked almonds, cheese straws, juicy green olives and Gouda Palmiers. Sounds like the perfect sunny afternoon to us.
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Picnic Hamper, £85
You can guarantee top-quality food when ordering from Tommy Banks’ delivery service Made In Oldstead. This picnic hamper includes a selection of the best local produce from the chef’s Yorkshire restaurant, including sourdough bread, seasonal cheese from The Courtyard Dairy and pork pies. On the sweet side, there are brown butter blondies (heaven) and salted caramel truffles, topped off with a bottle of Pinot Noir.
D’Ambrosi is the London branch of Cotswolds deli D’Ambrosi Fine Foods. The brainchild of husband-and-wife duo Andrew and Jesse D’Ambrosi, the concept’s offering includes gourmet home delivery (think no-stress dinner parties and last-minute date nights) – but also restaurant-quality picnics. Everything is freshly prepared each day using locally sourced ingredients, from salads to rotisserie chicken and sweet treats. Signature dishes include a kale Caesar salad with parmesan and anchovies, alongside fried chicken with a choice of sauces, plus New England-style shrimp rolls.
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From £90pp
Step your picnic up a notch with the help of The Luxury Picnic Company, an event service for the age of al fresco. Design your own bespoke experience with the help of private chef Alicia and co-founder Jane, complete with blankets, cushions, a table and a drinks cooler.
The Pique-Nique, £65
Gourmet picnics are the bread and butter of Pique, founded in 2017 in London. The online company offers a wide selection of hampers, from breakfast to afternoon tea, but when it comes to picnics this one is your best bet. The Pique-Nique contains everything you need for a delicious al fresco feast: caramelised onion and sausage rolls, chorizo scotch eggs, rotisserie chicken, new potato salad, orzo salad, charcuterie, crudites and brownie bites.
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Vegan Picnic, £69
As a vegan, it can often be hard to find plant-based picnic fare – but this hamper from beloved north London deli Panzer’s ensures you won’t go hungry. Inside you’ll find spinach and potato rolls, bagels, hummus and falafels, roasted aubergine salad, fruit salad and crisps. You can guarantee it will all be top-quality too.
The Fortnum’s Picnic Provisions Box, £70
Of course hamper royalty Fortnum & Mason has a picnic offering. This decadent hamper includes enough food to keep four picnickers satisfied, including Somerset Reserve Cheddar, butter crackers, pork pies, Scottish smoked salmon and a jar of the brand’s famous Piccadilly Piccalilli – followed by a sweet treat of salted caramel milk chocolate florentines.
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