If you're heading for an alfresco feast in London's parks, on the canal or, basically, anywhere the sun hits, forget lugging around a basket of warm sandwiches from home. Here are the best London picnics for you to pick up and enjoy at your leisure.
A Spanish picnic with Brindisa
Brindisa
Borough Market and Balham
Where to have your picnic: From Borough, head 5-10 minutes down the road to Potters Fields at Tower Bridge.
The summer picnics from Brindisa are filled with the very best of their Spanish wares. You can expect Gordal olives, Picos de Pan, Torres Truffle potato crisps (we're rather big fans of these ourselves), Artemonte wild boar pate, with lightly spiced Alejandro Magno chorizo slices to finish. Not only that, it's a bit of a bargain and you can also pick up a picnic-ready bottle of their gazpacho too.
Cost: £20
How to get your picnic: Available at Borough Market or the Balham Deli.
Vegan or lobster hampers at Fortnum & Mason
Fortnum & Mason
181 Piccadilly, St. James's, London W1A 1ER
Where to have your picnic: St James's Park or wander up to Berkeley Square Gardens.
Obviously, you can go stratospheric at F&M - their most expensive is the Ultimate Picnic Hamper for two at £320, which includes caviar, beef wellington and lobster. But there are many options to suit all budgets and one that stands out is the Hampstead vegan picnic (£100 for two) including Moroccan spiced cauliflower and Jackfruit salad. We also like the look of the Hampton picnic, which includes quail’s eggs, smoked salmon and cheese and Champagne Jelly among other treats.
Cost: £30- £320
How to get your picnic: Order online and pick up at the store.
A butler to help out from Corrigan's
Corrigan's Mayfair
28 Upper Grosvenor St, Mayfair, London W1K 7EH
Where to have your picnic: Hyde Park or Grosvenor Square
Of course, sometimes even the idea of laying out the picnic yourself can be just a bit much - so hey, why not order a butler to help out? That's something that's on offer from the Corrigan's picnics, They have a number of options, which include Champagne, homemade bread and hand churned butter, smoked salmon, seasonal salads, pies and Corrigan's signature desserts. And yes, you can forego the butler if it's a bit too much.
Cost: From £100 (or £1000 with added butler)
How to get your picnic: Order online and pick up at the restaurant.
The best of Selfridges
Selfridges
400 Oxford St, Marylebone, London W1A 1AB
Where to have your picnic: Hyde Park or Grosvenor Square
The Selfridges Food Hall has two picnic hampers on offer this season. The main Selfridges Selection hamper has some of the best of their own-brand food, including Selfridges Selection Nocellara Olives, cheddar cheese savours and artisan caramelised onion chutney, not to mention four cans of Chapel Down gin and tonic. There's also a smaller selection available (without the booze).
Cost: From £45
How to get your picnic: Order online and pick up at the store.
The picnic with Dusty Knuckle sourdough from De Beauvoir Deli Co
De Beauvoir Deli
98, Southgate Road, London N1 3JD
Where to have your picnic: De Beauvoir Square or Rosemary Gardens
De Beauvoir Deli’s hampers offer three styles of picnic hampers. The Smorgasbord consists of mixed olives, chicken liver pate, cornichons, mixed charcuterie, a slab of Comte, a whole Tunworth, and Dusty Knuckle sourdough, all washed down with a bottle of Prosecco. A luxury hamper (add Champagne, salmon pate and parma ham) and an afternoon tea hamper are also available.
Cost: The Smorgasbord is £57 for two people (not including a £10 returnable deposit.) Each basket needs 48 hours notice.
How to get your picnic: Book by calling 020 7249 4321 or visiting their website.
Best of British hampers from The Arch London
The Arch London
50 Great Cumberland Place, Marble Arch, London W1H 7FD
Where to have your picnic: Hyde Park
Arch’s luxury summer picnics are back once more with a selection of classic English treats, including homemade crisps with sea salt, lemon and sage; a selection of sandwiches including English Cheddar with apple and raisin chutney with sun blushed tomato salad or Coronation chicken with baby gem, Jersey Royal potato salad with apple and mustard dressing, Raspberry and pistachio trifle and lots more besides.
Cost: The picnics are priced at £100 for two
How to get your picnic: Book at 020 7724 4700 or visit their website.Picnics available until 9 September 2019.
Dog picnics and more at Duke's
Duke's Hotel
St. James's Place, London SW1A 1NY
Where to have your picnic: Green Park
Dukes’ (yes, the one with the martinis) has a number of different picnics available, including a vegan picnic (including beetroot quinoa salad, cashew cheese spread with seeded crackers and vegan chocolate brownies) as well as a classic picnic (including lemon and pepper chicken brochettes, chorizo and goats cheese scotch egg and more). Fancy three hours of butler service? That'll be an extra £75.
A couple of the hotel's picnics stand out from the crowd. There's a children's picnic (including ‘Pigs in blankets’ with ketchup and scotch eggs) as well as a dog picnic. Yes, your pooches won't be left out with toys (dog bone chew and a small ball launcher) and food that includes the option of a chef’s special - freshly cooked chicken and rice. They'll feel VERY looked after.
Cost: Classic picnic hamper is £39.50 per person, children's hampers are £17 per child, dog hampers £15 per dog.
How to get your hamper: To book ring 0207 318 6574 or visit their website.
A parkside picnic from Conrad London
Conrad London
22-28 Broadway, Westminster, London SW1H 0BH
Where to have your picnic: St James's Park
Situated just a two minute walk from the park, this London hotel keeps things pretty traditional for their picnic hamper - there' a finger sandwiches selection, smoked mackerel pate, Scotch egg, ham hock terrine with beetroot piccalilli along with peach and rosemary Backwell tartlets. For the wine you have a selection of red, white or rose wines or fizz.
Cost: Prices start at £26 per person.
How to get your hamper: Book by calling the hotel on 020 3301 8080
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