Have a picnic in a scenic spot

Picnics fail on logistics rather than on menu. To have a picnic in a scenic spot successfully you need food that survives an hour in a bag, a plan for keeping wet things away from dry things, and a spot chosen for wind and shade rather than only for the view.

Why have a picnic in a scenic spot is worth an hour

Anything dressed, sliced or assembled in advance degrades on the journey, which is why picnic sandwiches disappoint so reliably. Packing components separately and combining on arrival fixes it entirely. Wind is the underrated variable in choosing a spot: a beautiful exposed hilltop is considerably less pleasant than a sheltered dip fifty meters away.

How to have a picnic in a scenic spot step by step

1. 1

   Choose food that travels

   Firm cheeses, cured meat, hard fruit, sturdy bread, things in jars. Anything dressed in advance will disappoint.

2. 2

   Pack wet and dry separately

   Dressings and juicy fruit in sealed containers, combined on arrival. This is the single biggest improvement.

3. 3

   Keep cold things genuinely cold

   A cool bag with a frozen block. Food safety matters more in warm weather than most picnickers assume.

4. 4

   Scout for shade and shelter

   Wind ruins picnics faster than rain does. A sheltered spot beats a spectacular exposed one.

5. 5

   Bring more than you think for cleanup

   Bags for rubbish, wipes, a groundsheet. Take everything home, including biodegradable food waste.

Tips to get more out of it

• A proper groundsheet or picnic blanket with a waterproof backing changes the experience entirely on damp ground.
• Check whether alcohol, barbecues and fires are permitted. Rules vary considerably between parks.
• Pack a rubbish bag first, before the food. It is the thing most often forgotten and most needed.

Ways to mix it up

If the weather is uncertain, choose a spot with a nearby shelter or a car you can retreat to. If it is a special occasion, cook something one degree more ambitious than usual and transport it in the pan, which is far easier than assembling on a blanket.

Have a picnic in a scenic spot: frequently asked questions