Picnics conjure up visions of Édouard Manet, Brideshead Revisited and Emma Woodhouse. Heady, hazy sunshine with butterflies flitting by and skylarks overhead. The reality is always far from this: someone spills the prosecco over the sandwiches and a shower is usually lingering on the horizon. But that contrast is half the fun. Even if you get rained on, I feel like the outdoors makes the laughter louder, the food tastier and the joy more profound. Everyone just relaxes so much more lounging on a few cushions than sitting up straight with a starched napkin on their laps indoors.

Whether lying on a blanket or sitting cross-legged, I find some sort of table makes eating much easier, especially if you’re wanting to while away the hours long into the afternoon. I made this one (pictured) by placing a piece of wood across two laundry baskets (who knew?!) I never bother lugging around picnic chairs but a few cushions are heavenly, particularly if you feel like drifting off for a nap in the sun (is there anything better?)

Even for a special occasion, I don't take china plates outdoors (cumbersome and risky), especially when there’s such a range of pretty melamine or enamelled tin options. They are light to carry too. I always prefer proper cutlery and glasses though (the sustainability factor of disposable plastic is a big no-go for me)... Wrap them in napkins and I’ve never had a breakage! 

I love to use table linens and napkins; they can just go in the wash when you get home.  A large tablecloth can sub in for a picnic rug and become the basis for a bit of a ‘picnicscape’.

I keep the flowers wild and worthy of a meadow: in this case, cow parsley, canadian poppies and soloman's seal tumbling out of clay jugs and jam jars.

Comfort is crucial or you will all want to leave early: rugs for warmth, lots of tupperware to prevent wasps and a gorgeous, colourful parasol to protect you from the sun (we can but hope!)