There is something about a British summer that makes you want to get out and make the most of it. The weather may be famously unreliable, but that only sharpens the instinct to seize a good day when it arrives. A trip to the coast, an afternoon in the park, a lazy few hours by the river, or a slow wander somewhere new closer to home. And whatever the destination, half the pleasure is in the packing.
A wicker picnic basket turns an ordinary outing into something that feels like an occasion. There is a reason the image has endured for generations. It is practical, yes, but it also signals that you have made an effort, that this is a day worth marking. Here is how to pack yours well, and how to choose the right one for the kind of days out you love.
Match the basket to the day
The first question is simple: how many of you, and how far are you carrying it?
For a romantic afternoon for two, a compact hamper is all you need and far easier to carry than something you will struggle to fill. The 2 Person Green Tweed Classic Picnic Hamper is a lovely example, coming ready fitted with plates, cutlery and glasses so you are not hunting through the kitchen drawers before you leave. If you like a more traditional look, the 2 Person Ravenstor Double Lidded Hamper brings a classic tartan lining and a double lid that makes getting to your things easy once you are settled on the grass.
For family days out or a group of friends, size up. The 4 Person Boat Hamper has a generous, characterful shape with enough fitted tableware for four, and there are larger sets in the full fitted picnic hamper range that cater for six or more when the whole gang comes along.
If you would rather pack your own plates and containers, an unfitted picnic basket gives you the timeless wicker look with complete freedom over what goes inside, which suits anyone who already has their favourite reusable bits at home.
Keep things cool when it counts
The one thing that can undo a good picnic is warm food and a lukewarm drink. On a hot day, insulation matters more than almost anything else you pack.
This is where a chilled design really comes into its own. The 2 Person Chiller Picnic Hamper Basket keeps everything at a pleasant temperature while still looking every bit the classic wicker hamper, so you get the charm without the sweaty sandwiches. For drinks in particular, the 2 Bottle Chilled Carry Basket is a neat way to transport a couple of bottles at their best, and the Chilled Garden Party Basket is ideal when the day out is a bigger affair. Browse the wine and champagne baskets too if a chilled bottle is central to your idea of a good afternoon.
A simple tip: freeze a few water bottles the night before and pack them alongside your food. They keep everything cold on the way there and give you icy water to drink by the time you arrive.
Pack it properly
A well-packed basket is a joy to unpack. A little thought before you leave saves a lot of fuss later.
Pack in reverse order of use, with the things you will need first, like a blanket and drinks, near the top. Wrap anything that might leak in a cloth or a sealed tub, and keep heavier items at the bottom so nothing gets crushed. Tuck cutlery and napkins down the sides where they will not slide around.
Do not forget the layer you sit on. A good blanket is worth its weight, doubling as somewhere to sit and something to wrap up in when the temperature drops in the late afternoon. Fold it over the top of the basket so it is the first thing you reach for.
A few extras earn their place every time: a small bag for rubbish so you can leave your spot as you found it, a bottle opener, wet wipes, and a hat or a bottle of suncream if you are heading somewhere open. None of it takes up much room, and you will be glad of all of it.
For more than just Picnics
A wicker basket is not just for grand days out. It is one of those lovely, versatile things that finds a hundred uses once you own one.
If your idea of a perfect day involves two wheels, a bike basket carries your picnic, your book and a jumper as you pedal off somewhere quiet, no rucksack required. For the more everyday adventure of a trip to the farm shop or a market, a wicker shopper like the handsome Grey Rattan Market Basket is far nicer to carry than a plastic bag, and kinder to the planet too. These are the baskets that end up coming everywhere with you, from beach to boot to back garden.
Make the most of the season
The best days out are rarely the ones you plan for weeks. They are the spontaneous ones, when the sun appears, and you decide on the spot to make something of it. Having a basket packed and ready, or at least a favourite one waiting by the door, means you can seize those moments rather than watch them pass.
So keep an eye on the forecast, wait for your window, and go. Explore the full range of picnic hampers and outdoor living pieces and find the basket that will be your companion for every good day this summer.
