What kind of tableware works best for outdoor dining?

The right materials make a real difference when you're eating outdoors - you want pieces that are light, simple to clean, and can be bumped around a bag a little without breaking. For hard-wearing, easy-to-use tableware, look for dishes and plates made from melamine, bamboo or durable plastic.

Are reusable plates good for picnics?

Absolutely. Reusable picnic plates are lightweight, durable and much kinder to the environment than single-use alternatives. They also pack flat, clean easily, and can be used summer after summer.

What’s usually included in a picnic set?

A good picnic set can help take the guesswork out of picnic prep. Most include plates, bowls, cutlery, serving utensils and reusable cups or tumblers, all in a compact case that’s easy to carry and perfect for a spontaneous afternoon outdoors.

What to Take on a Picnic: Outdoor Dining Made Easy

Few things capture the joy of summer quite like a picnic in the sunshine. With good food, fresh air and family time, it’s pretty hard to beat.

Just picture it - a beautiful spot on the beach or a quiet place by the river, a fabulous feast of sandwiches, dips and sweet treats (not forgetting the mass of beige bites, of course), all served with games in the sun and long-awaited catch-ups with friends.

Sounds dreamy, right? And all it takes is a little planning. Luckily, this guide is here to help with advice on choosing the perfect picnicware, tips on the extras that’ll elevate your setup, and how to make the organisation effortless.

What Should You Take on a Picnic?

Just a little forward thinking can transform your picnic from a last-minute supermarket scramble into a considered yet relaxed get-together.

Essential Picnic Items

The perfect picnic isn’t complete without a handful of comfort and dining essentials. Choose ones that are lightweight, durable and easy to pack, and try to pick reusable pieces that’ll reduce waste and save you money in the long run.

A picnic blanket that you don’t mind getting sandy or grassy
Enough plates and cutlery for serving as well as eating
Reusable cups or tumblers
Napkins or kitchen roll
Containers for carrying food and keeping it fresh
A portable drink cooler or electric picnic cooler (trust us, it’s a lifesaver on a hot summer’s day!)

The Best Tableware for Picnics

When you’re choosing tableware for a picnic, the right materials make all the difference.

Keep an eye out for melamine and bamboo dishes and utensils. Light, hard-wearing and perfectly practical, they’ll easily handle a bit of rough and tumble, and they’re effortless to clean.

Alternatively, durable plastic sets are ideal for picnicking with children, stainless steel ones will add a touch of quality to your feast, and nature-inspired utensils will only add to the setup’s outdoorsy feel.

How to Pack Picnic Tableware Safely

Avoiding food spills and scratches to your tableware is simple when you pack with care - it means less time rummaging around for your favourite snacks, too.

We recommend stacking plates and dishes with a napkin between each to avoid any scuffs. Wrap cups and cutlery (especially sharp knives) in separate cloths or towels and store any glasses in boxes to keep them safe until you’ve set up your picnic.

Start by putting heavy, flat items in the bottom of your bag to create a stable base. Wedge rolled-up cutlery around the sides to keep everything secure, then rest cups, accessories and smaller bits on top.

Remember to keep foods separate with divided containers and keep these away from tableware in your bag to avoid any contamination on the journey to your picnic spot.

Picnic Accessories That Make Outdoor Dining Easier

They might not be essential, but a few carefully chosen accessories can help organise your picnic, keep food fresh, and make your setup extra idyllic.

Practical Picnic Accessories

If you find yourself picnicking most weekends, it’s worth investing in a handful of practical pieces.

Insulated cool bags will come in handy all summer, keeping food safe and at a more enjoyable temperature - no hot watermelon slices here, thank you very much. You’ll love having a proper picnic basket too, which makes it so much easier to get everything to your dining spot.

Stock up on a few serving trays to keep food containers flat and prevent any spills on your picnic blanket. Complete your setup with chopping boards for slicing cheese, bread or fruit, and some portable wine glasses if you fancy rounding off the day with a tipple or two.

Accessories That Elevate Your Setup

Once the practical bits are sorted, a few thoughtful extras can turn a classic picnic into something genuinely special.

Bring a couple of nature-inspired cushions that’ll look the part and add comfort on a long afternoon outdoors. A lightweight throw is perfect if you’re planning to be out late too.

On that note, an evening picnic will look extra elevated with garden lighting like lanterns or fairy lights. This will create a cosy, relaxed atmosphere, especially with a portable speaker to add a little background music.

How to Put On a Picnic for a Group

It’s one thing to plan a day out with the family, but picnicking with a crowd can feel a little more complicated. Not with a little forward thinking, though - it’ll feel (almost) effortless!

Planning Food and Tableware

Start planning food early so you can find snacks or recipes for dishes that are easy to share - think salads, nibbles, sliced quiche… The options are endless! And remember to pack plenty of reusable water bottles so everyone can stay hydrated the eco-friendly way.

It’s always best to bring a few extra plates and napkins than you think you'll need and make sure you take them from your lightweight tableware collection to avoid adding even more weight to your bags.

Setting Up Your Picnic Spot

Find a spot with plenty of space, preferably with some shade nearby in case you need it. Lay out your blanket first so you can use it as your base for arranging everything else.

Set out all your food, plates and glasses neatly in the middle, making it easy for everyone to help themselves. A cooler is particularly useful for bigger groups, and it’s best to keep it in the shade. Leave the drinks inside so you have a chilled, refreshing hydration boost ready when you need it.

Your Picnic Packing Checklist

The day’s arrived, your food’s prepped, and you’re getting ready to head out to your chosen picnic setting. Before you leave, glance over this quick checklist to make sure you have everything you need.

Essential picnicware:

● Food and drinks

● Picnic blanket

● Plates and cutlery

● Reusable cups or tumblers

● Reusable water bottles

● Napkins or kitchen roll

● Food containers

Practical extras:

● Insulated cool bag or picnic cooler

● Bottle opener or corkscrew

● Serving utensils

● Rubbish bags

For comfort and atmosphere:

● Outdoor cushions

● Lightweight throws

● Lanterns or portable lights

● Portable speaker

Ready to Pack Your Perfect Picnic?

Sunny days don’t come around often enough in the UK. If you love spending them outdoors, stock up on the right picnicware to make those treasured sunshine get-togethers extra special.

Explore our full range of tableware and outdoor dining accessories and discover all you need to make your picnics easy, comfortable and more stylish than ever.

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