*This post is sponsored by Erbology
Warm summer days mean the perfect opportunity for outdoors eating…
… and while I shared a post recently about tips for having the best beach BBQ, I thought it would share some about creating a dreamy, delicious (and Insta-worthy!) picnic too.
Niki, Frankie and I headed over to Fistral beach in Newquay last week to enjoy the evening sun with a picnic on the beach looking out to sea, and it was perfect! We were super well equipped and prepared, and it was the ideal way to finish off the week. So, whether you’re picnicking in the park, on the cliffs, by the sea or in your back garden, these are my essential tips:
Hamper vs Coolbox
Obviously a cute wicker hamper like this one that has all the crockery and cutlery inside* is going to bring a certain whimsical vibe to your picnic if you have one, but sometimes they’re not super practical if you have a lot to carry as they can be quite heavy and bulky. They’re also quite hard to store!
If you’re more about practicality than aesthetic, I’d recommend checking out one of these cool box backpacks* instead, which can be easily stored at home but makes for super easy carrying – especially if you have to walk a while from the car.
Plan for the terrain
When choosing your picnic mat, consider the location you’re heading to. If you have a fancy blanket you may not want to take it to the park where it could get dirty or grass stains, but at the beach in may be fine. Or if the ground is likely to be damp, you may want to grab one of the waterproof style ones that you can pick up cheaply in Aldi or Tesco for under £10.
If you’ll be close to the car, why not consider bringing a cushion or something to sit on so you can lounge around your food without getting cramp!
Check out my ‘10 Best Picnic Spots in Cornwall‘ to find your next prime picnic location.
Prepare some homemade lemonade
An absolute essential for any picnic is a bottle of homemade lemonade. I tried something a little bit different on this particular picnic – whipping up a batch of Rosewater Lemonade using this organic rose water from Erbology, and a recipe from the Life’s Little Sweets blog. I cannot stress how truly delicious it was!
The recipe was super easy and I’ll definitely be making it again soon – there’s just something about that subtle rose flavouring that makes it so unique and refreshing. If you’re looking for organic, plant-based snacks, oils, drinks and more, the Erbology website has a fantastic range of quality ingredients and items at really good prices.
I’ve also tried their organic sweet almond oil both alongside the rosewater as a skin cleanser and also as a carrier for my essential oils, and I love that you can get each item either as a one-time purchase or on a subscription basis.
If you’re not a lemonade fan, Erbology also suggest you can use rosewater to whip up a delicious sounding vegan cheesecake, and their site has loads of tasty vegan recipes just like that to discover as well.
You need more than one carrier bag / bin bag!
Bringing a bin bag or carrier bag is obviously important for taking your rubbish home with you, but remember you’re also going to be left with dirty plates and cutlery. To stop this from getting your hamper or cool box dirty, remember to bring at least a second carrier / bin bag with you to pop these in to as well.
Nominate a seagull guard…
If you’re planning to lay out your picnic food like we did to take some photos, remember to have someone guarding your space from pesky seagulls!! You get them everywhere, but especially by the sea in Cornwall you HAVE to watch out for these pests diving down and stealing all your food – it can be a total nightmare, so once you’re done taking pics, I’d highly suggest covering the food you’re not immediately eating, or keeping it safe inside your hamper until ready.
Remember wipes and napkins
There’s nothing worse than sticky hands when eating your picnic food! Remember to bring some napkins or a small packet of wet wipes to help clean up your hands, face, and any spillages that may happen.
Bring pots for leftovers
If you’re bringing any pre-made packaged food with you, it’s really helpful to bring some tupperware or pots with you in case you can’t eat everything in the packet and you want to take the extra food home (rather than wasting it in the bin!).
So those are some of my tips for your next picnic – I can’t wait to have many more this summer, as it’s a great way to enjoy your favourite beauty spots in an inexpensive but enjoyable way.
What do you love to bring on your picnics?
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