The best picnic accessories for summer 2024
From baskets to rugs, we've found the very best kit for picnic lovers, 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. If you're planning an al fresco barbecue, we've taste tested the best BBQ boxes to buy to make planning easy.
Best picnic accessories and equipment to buy 2024
Thermos Icon straw cup
This insulated model is perfect for iced coffees and smoothies on the go, with a custom stainless steel reusable straw that's designed to not fall out. The practical non-slip base is a nice safety feature, plus it can be popped in the dishwasher for easy cleaning.
Yeti Rambler beverage bucket
This 7.6-litre bucket is a great concept. Pack it with ice and it will keep your cans, juice boxes and bottles cold for hours. It's great for hot days, but isn't light when fully loaded, so the non-slip comfort handle is practical. Pop the lid on before carrying to help keep the temperature constant inside.
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Uashmama wine bag and cooler gift set
- Available from Trouva, £42.99
Keep the removable lining of this wine cooler in the freezer so it's ready to grab and go whenever you need it. We love both the design and practicality of Uashmama's washable paper. Available in a range of colours, including gold and silver, this is a great gift for anyone who loves al fresco drinks.
Available from Trouva, £42.99
John Lewis ANYDAY picnic pilsner glass
These are elegant and look like real glass, but are made from shatterproof acrylic, making them super-lightweight. We opted for the pilsner glass because of its shorter, more stable stem. Avoid cleaning these with a rough sponge to keep the acrylic clear.
Misichao lidded stainless steel food containers
This set of four steel food containers are an excellent alternative to plastic for filling with your picnic goodies. The lids have a silicone seal and clip to lock on four sides for leakproof transporting. The pots all boast dishwasher-safe, oven-safe and freezer-safe credentials (with the lids off).
M&S Summer Resort foldaway picnic mat
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.
ProCook insulated picnic backpack
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.
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.
Available from:
Not on the High Street (£39.95)
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)
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.
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.
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)
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
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.
Sistema stackable lunch box
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.
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
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Best charcoal for BBQs
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