The best picnic accessories for summer 2023
From baskets to rugs, we've found the very best kit for picnic lovers. Read our list of the top accessories, including cool bags, plates and storage solutions. We also have picnic food ideas and recipe inspiration.
Picnics take some organising, from making easy food choices to finding equipment that's going to make your gathering a walk in the park (pun intended). A sturdy picnic basket or hamper is the bedrock of a stress-free picnic experience.
From there, you can accessorise with eco-friendly reusable plates and cutlery, clever contraptions for keeping food cool, and the all-important picnic blanket. We've rounded up essential buys for picnic success, wherever you lay your blanket.
For more summer shopping inspiration, check out our best outdoor tableware, best sustainable picnicware and best serving dishes round-ups.
Best picnic accessories and equipment to buy 2023
M&S floral picnic blanket
- Available from M&S (£14)
A successful picnic starts with a comfy base. We love this colourful round picnic blanket from M&S – it is great value for money at under £15, has a practical carrying handle for easy transport, and a waterproof base to keep you dry no matter what the weather has been like in the build up to your day out.
Available from:
M&S (£14)
Dunelm Tigerlily picnic set
- Available from Dunelm (£8)
This bargain picnic set from Dunelm is brilliant value for money and a great option if you need to completely restock your picnic kit. This 25-piece set in cheery bright orange has everything you need for a picnic for four: plates, cups, cutlery, mini containers and one large box with a handle to transport it all, all for under £10.
Available from:
Dunelm (£8)
John Lewis & Partners country floral picnic jug
- Available from John Lewis & Partners (£15)
Serve drinks in style at your picnic with this floral jug. It is made of lightweight melamine with a comfortable handle and practical lid to protect your drinks when you're outside. Check out our full best cocktail jugs and pitchers review for more options for indoor and outdoor parties.
Available from:
John Lewis & Partners (£15)
ProCook insulated picnic backpack
- Available from Procook (£49)
This is a well-designed, no-nonsense picnic backpack that has all the essentials for four people. It comes complete with wine glasses, plates, cutlery, a bottle opener and chopping board, with a separate insulated compartment for carrying food. It is compact and easy to carry, with a nautical design perfect for beach picnics. Read our full review on our best picnic rucksacks.
Available from:
Procook (£49)
MijMoj Design personalised portable picnic table wine holder
- Available from Not on the High Street (£39.95)
We love the idea behind this clever picnic gadget. The light, wooden fold-out table has slots to hold a bottle and four wine glasses securely, so you no longer have to balance them on sand or wobbly terrain. It would also make a brilliant gift for the ultimate fan of summer al fresco feasts, as it can be personalised.
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Available from:
Not on the High Street (£39.95)
Graham & Green pink marble travel cutlery set
- Available from Graham & Green (£28)
No more boring wooden cutlery or single-use disposable plastic forks. This pretty travel cutlery set for one has a knife, fork, spoon and collapsible straw and cleaning brush with pink marble handles, held in a compact pink case. Eating in style on the go just got easier.
Available from:
Graham & Green (£28)
Pretty Tiffin traditional Indian tiffin box
- Available from Not on the High Street (£39.99)
If you're looking for an alternative to plastic tubs, we love this traditional Indian tiffin box set. Made of stainless steel and hand-painted (with eight different colourways to choose from), the three compartments clip together so you can keep different elements of your picnic separate and easily carry it to your chosen picnic location.
Available from:
Not on the High Street (£39.99)
Sistema To-Go dressing and dips pots
- Available from John Lewis & Partners (£4.50)
No more soggy salads or spilled dressings at the bottom of your picnic bag. This handy set of four dressing pots has secure screw-top lids for transporting dressings, sauces or dips safely until it is time to eat.
Available from:
John Lewis & Partners (£4.50)
Oliver Bonas strawberry pink cotton picnic blanket
- Available from Oliver Bonas (£65)
Another great picnic blanket you'll use all summer, but this is more of a splurge. This large, square picnic blanket has a bold strawberry print, perfect for a British summer picnic. It has fabric carry handles, fringed edges and a waterproof backing.
Available from:
Oliver Bonas (£65)
Campos 29-litre cool box
- Available from Argos (£22)
Rated 4/5 by our appliance testers, this budget cool box is wallet-friendly and does the job well. It’s got a generous 29-litre capacity, but remained lightweight and retained the temperature well with good insulation. Read our full guide for more cool box reviews.
Available from:
Argos (£22)
Nautical picnic hamper for two
- Available from Joules (£125)
This nautical-themed picnic hamper would be great for seaside picnics. It comes complete with everything you need, from a picnic rug and Tupperware boxes to cutlery, plates, napkins and even a corkscrew, plus a chilling compartment to keep things cool. Read our full guide for more picnic baskets and hampers reviews.
Available from:
Joules (£125)
Pioneer 2-litre pitcher
Keep drinks cool for garden picnics with this cleverly designed bargain plastic pitcher. The central chamber can be filled with ice to keep your drink cool without diluting it (handy for juice or fizzy drinks), and keeps the ice within the jug rather than splashing into glasses. Perforated at the base of the chamber, you could also fill it with fruit to gently infuse.
Available from:
Sistema stackable lunch box
- Available from John Lewis (£9.50)
Don’t ruin a picnic with soggy sandwiches: this clever lunch box has a divider tray in the lid so you can store sandwiches in the bottom layer, then add fruit, salad or extra snacks to the top without the flavours mixing or anything going soft.
Available from:
John Lewis (£9.50)
Partner in Wine insulated bottle and tumbler
Keep a bottle of wine chilled all afternoon with this sleek insulated bottle from Partner in Wine. With capacity to hold a whole 750ml bottle of wine (or fill with any of your favourite picnic drinks) and keeping drinks cool for 24 hours, you'll still be sipping chilled white or rosé even at the end of the lengthiest picnics this summer. Take your pick from the simple stainless steel, white or pretty pink finishes. The matching tumbler (£20) is perfect for shorter catch ups on sunny evenings.
Available from:
Le Creuset wine accessories cooler sleeve
Le Creuset is a brand renowned for producing high-quality products that last. Available in black and orange, its fabric-finish cooler sleeve is adjustable to accommodate a range of bottles and will prevent any condensation from seeping into your picnic basket. For the best results, store it in the freezer.
Available from:
Picnic recipes and tips...
How to pack the perfect picnic
Our best picnic recipes
Vegetarian picnic inspiration
Family-friendly picnic recipes
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Best sustainable picnicware
Best reusable straws
This review was last updated in April 2023. If you have any questions, suggestions for future reviews or spot anything that has changed in price or availability please get in touch at goodfoodwebsite@immediate.co.uk
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