Yahoo Finance Best picnic baskets and hampers: Plates and cutlery sets for your spring reunion
Calling all Londoners! The time has come to emerge blinking from our caves. Boris Johnson has decreed outdoor meetings with five friends are now allowed (from March 29), so it’s time to pick a park, pack a picnic and grab a sunny patch for your long-awaited reunion.
While tote bags undoubtedly have their uses for ferrying groceries and snacks to your springtime event, a proper picnic requires plates and cutlery. After all, our use of tableware is what separates us from the animals.
A picnic hamper or basket complete with plates, cutlery and sometimes glasses is the park dining essential. It also goes a long way to cutting our use of single use plastics and recycling burden - no need to search for the right bin to put empty G&T tinnies when you can pour your measure directly into a glass. Far chicer too. Many have room for snacks and a chiller compartment too, making more use of your space.
To that end, we’ve gathered the nicest designs around for your long-awaited trip to the park. From wicker baskets with dining equipment for two, to family-sized versions, here are our favourites.
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Luxury 4 Person Wicker Chiller Picnic Hamper
Call your quad and pick a parkside picnic date. This four-person hamper is the perfect thing to make a proper meal of it, containing four sets of plates, cutlery, plastic wine glasses and a fix-in cooler to keep drinks nice and cold. Measures 27 x 27 x 43cm. Available for free one-day delivery on Prime.
£49.99 | Amazon *On sale from £79.99
VonShef Picnic Backpack
Keep both hands free for groceries and carry your meal service on your back instead - this design makes it easy. VonShef’s 3.35kg backpack comes with enough glasses, plates and cutlery for four diners, plus loads of helpful extras like a bottle opener, salt and pepper shakers, a cutting board, napkins, cheese knife - even a waterproof blanket! There’s also an insulated cooler compartment to keep cheeses, cans and condiments at the right temperature. Consider yourself a walking restaurant, no reservations required.
Chilled Champagne Party Basket
Celebrate good times a la Kool and the Gang with this spring picnic party essential. The central compartment is lined with zipped green tweed to keep your bottles cool, while a dozen champagne glasses sit securely nestled in the outer ring. Perfect for everything from brunch to birthdays this season. Measures 46 x 52cm.
Retreat Doubled Lidded 4 Person Picnic Hamper - Green
A handmade hamper with enough picnicware for four people. This old school design has been crafted by a master craftsman and opens up to reveal cutlery on one side and plates and S&P shakers securely held on the other. The main compartment holds four wine glasses along with green tartan cloth napkins, which match the lining. Very country chic. Measures 28 x 48 x 33cm.
Two Person Salcombe Barrel Picnic Hamper
If you’ve been waiting until now to meet your lockdown online crush, impress them by bringing this smart 46 x 30cm hamper to your first date. Formed from steamed willow with faux leather straps, the tube-like basket is lined with green tweed and contains china plates, wine glasses, a removable cooler bag and stainless steel cutlery.
£99 | Joules *On sale from £110
Fortnum’s 2 Person Canvas Picnic Carry All
Fortnum may be our go to for food hamper gifts, but the Queen’s grocer does a fantastic line in picnicware too. This canvas bag with a top carry handle has everything two diners need to sit down amongst the roses in style - from plates and cutlery to salt and pepper grinders and a corkscrew to see to those bottles of wine. There are even two linen napkins ready to see to any spills. Measures 30 x 8 x 32cm, hand wash only.
August Grove Chiller Wicker Picnic Basket
Cater for friends and family picnics with this wicker picnic basket which comes laden with enough tableware and cutlery to feed four. Everything is strapped onto place, cutting the chances of breakages and it has a fixed cooler and removable chill bag for bottles you want to keep cold until it’s time to open them.
The Colourful Garden Company Personalised Two Person Boat Picnic Basket
As Noah’s Ark was built for two of every animal, this boat-shaped basket caters for two also. The helm is an open space for bottles and awkwardly shaped items, while the cabin, which locks with a buckle, houses all the dinnerware needed to make your al fresco meal really special: think a pair of seven-inch porcelain plates, wine glasses, cutlery, a cooler bag, napkins, bottle opener and a corkscrew. Have it monogrammed so there’s no doubt over whose it is.
Vintage Picnic Hamper Basket
Fan of a retro aesthetic? You’ll adore this vintage hamper designed like a 50s suitcase, complete with handle and clasps. Inside there’s enough tableware for four, plus matching containers, a Thermos and food boxes, allowing you to carry your feast in one hand.
Gardenia 4 Person Luxury Wicker Hamper
This straw-coloured wicker basket opens to reveal all picnicking essentials, with cutlery housed in a jewellery-roll style fabric wrap, all in an eye-catching botanical print. There’s even a cool bag in the same pretty print, which can keep snacks and cans cool for up to four hours.
Apollo Walker 4 Person Picnic Backpack
A smart and stylish take on the traditional picnic basket, this backpack makes ferrying your feast ridiculously simple. Complete with a cooling compartment, chopping board, bottle opener, cheese knife, four dinner plates, wine glasses, cotton napkins, cutlery, and a salt and pepper shaker set. The bonus is a fully detachable bottle holder and a picnic blanket with waterproof base. A fantastic option for a weekend trip to the coast or country, or simply down the street to nearest sunny spot.
Oliver Bonas Insulated Two Person Natural Wicker Picnic Basket
Perfect for al fresco dining this spring, this basket will ensure you are ready to go with tableware like wine glasses, cutlery and a bottle opener. There is also plenty of room to store your sarnies, drinks and indulgent treats for leisurely meal. Just add food and go!
Verdict
Offering incredibly good value for money, our pick of the baskets goes to the Luxury 4 Person Picnic Hamper for less than £50. It’s ideal for families and groups of friends, and with the proper care and storage, will serve you well for many picnics to come.
