There are few traditions we love more than the Great British picnic. Along with afternoon tea and Sunday roasts, a relaxing picnic in the park on a warm summer’s day is one of the best inventions the UK has ever produced* - ok, so it’s not actually true that heading out for a picnic originated in the UK, but we feel we can claim it as our own because it doesn’t get much more British than shovelling sandwiches and quaffing glasses of fizz in a park, does it?
Picnics are typically enjoyed outdoors in the afternoon and have rightfully become a staple of our spring and summer seasons. While some people are content with grabbing as many items as they can from the ‘ready to eat’ aisle of their local supermarket, there is always the option to pimp up your picnic by instead ordering a ready made feast from a top UK restaurant, hotel or shop.
To help you make your posh picnic dreams a reality, we have rounded up the very best picnic food hampers that the UK has to offer, ranging from delicious feasts that can be collected on your way to the park to ready made hampers that can be sent direct to your doorstep. So whether you are in the mood for a traditional picnic offering of sarnies, fizz, Scotch eggs and sweet treats, or you fancy something a little different, our pick of the best picnic food hampers for delivery should have something to tantalise your taste buds.
Check out our selection of picnic hampers below and arrange a date with friends or family in your nearest park - don’t forget the sunscreen!
*The word picnic actually derives from the French word ‘pique-nique’, but has gone on to become a summertime ritual for people across the UK.
Picnic food hampers from shops
Step up your picnic game with these fabulous options from both nationwide supermarkets and independent London establishments
The Hemsley by Cartright & Butler at Harrods
What: Swap out the traditional picnic sandwiches for tea and biscuits instead, with this luxury Helmsley picnic hamper by Cartright & Butler, available at legendary London department store Harrods. English breakfast tea, raspberry preserve, cheese flatbreads and butterscotch shortbread make up this hamper that really embraces Yorkshire heritage.
How much: £50
Available: Year round
Order The Hemsley by Cartright & Butlers at Harrods
Kensington Teatime Treats Hamper at Marks & Spencer
What: The Kensington teatime treats hamper from Marks & Spencer is filled with everything you could need for a relaxing mid-afternoon picnic. A bottle of Prosecco, chocolates, biscuits, Devonshire scones, raspberry jam, empress grey tea and a classic Victoria sponge cake make up this hamper of sweet treats - all beautifully packaged in a light grey wicker picnic hamper with grey leather straps.
How much: £40
Available: Year round
Order the Kensington Teatime Treats Hamper at Marks & Spencer
Colette ‘Picnic for the Carnivores’ Hamper
What: Forget the prep, tupperwares and cling film and simply order a ready-made picnic from Colette on Fulham Road. It comes complete with a traditional wicker basket brimming with an assortment of handpicked treats and fine French fancies. There are a range of picnics available (vegetarian, afternoon tea etc.) but we’re eyeing up the carnivores picnic, which features ham and cheese baguettes, Scotch eggs, and homemade pork pies, plus three kinds of cake (including lemon drizzle).
How much: £140 (serves four)
Available: Throughout spring and summer
Order the Colette ‘Picnic for the Carnivores’ Hamper
Picnic food hampers from restaurants and hotels
You can always rely on top-drawer restaurants and hotels to add a luxury touch to a picnic in the park, and these venues really deliver
Duke’s Hotel
What: When it comes to posh picnics, it doesn’t get much better than Duke's Hotel. There’s no slogging your gastro-hamper to the park; instead, your personal butler will greet you at your chosen spot (either Green Park or St James Park), lay out a blanket, unpack the food, and top up your glass when needed. Treats include pulled pork and cheddar Scotch eggs with piccalilli, artisan breads, herby salads and a barbecue chicken brochette, plus chocolate chip flapjacks for pudding.
How much: From £39.50 per person (additional £75 for three hours of butler service)
Available: Throughout spring and summer (advanced notice is required)
The Pilgrm
What: Once it reopens following the easing of lockdown restrictions, The Pilgrm hotel and lounge will launch The Pilgrm Picnic - a new picnic box with a delicious assortment of freshly-made picnic nibbles, snacks, salads, charcuterie, and delicious cheeses. Hotel guests will be able to add the picnic onto their stay and take a short stroll to Hyde Park to enjoy it in all its glory, while nearby locals will be able to pre-order and collect their picnics on the day. There are no pictures of the hampers yet, but if it’s anything like The Pilgrm's breakfasts (shown above), we’re sure they’ll look and taste delicious.
How much: TBC
Available: Throughout spring and summer
The Easter Picnic Box from London Shell Co.
What: If you’re planning to take your beau (or potential beau) on a picnic date, look no further than this no-hassle Easter Picnic Box from London Shell Co, that’s designed for two. Available to collect from The Grand Duchess in Paddington, the picnic includes the likes of whole smoked trout and salmon, pepper cured char, crevettes and mayonnaise, house pickles and soda bread and butter. The picnic box also comes complete with a bottle of The Grand Duchess’s own label wine.
How much: £55
Available: Throughout spring
Picnic Feast from Bocca di Lupo
What: If you fancy adding an Italian twist to your picnic adventures, check out this offering from chef Jacob Kenedy's Bocca di Lupo restaurant. The picnic can be delivered across London and arrives by midday, kept chilled with eco-insulation and ice packs and in a tote bag ready to be carried to the park. Inside, you’ll find the likes of smoked ricotta with grilled aubergines, Sardinian crispbread and marbled ricotta and chocolate cake, plus a bottle of Prosecco.
How much: £86
Available: Throughout spring and summer
Picnic Hamper from Hideaway
What: Presented in a beautiful wicker hamper, Hideaway’s picnic offering features the upmarket likes of homemade strawberry and hibiscus jam and Goji berry cookies, alongside Nocellara green olives and homemade granola. For an extra touch of luxury, there is the option to add on the likes of Beluga caviar, black truffle and Hideaway’s signature lobster roll. The hamper is available for delivery or collection, but note that Hideaway is just a short stroll from Green Park.
How much: From £60
Available: Year round
Bespoke Luxury Picnic Hamper from Le Deli Robuchon
What: In close proximity to Green Park, St James Park and Hyde Park, Le Deli Robuchon makes for a handy pre-picnic pitstop. The restaurant is now offering bespoke picnic hampers - customers simply call up the restaurant and choose anything they like from the menu (freshly baked pastries, salads, hot and cold sandwiches etc.) before collecting it in-store. There is even the option to add a bottle of wine from Le Deli’s carefully considered selection.
How much: Prices vary based on contents
Available: Throughout spring and summer
Seafood Hamper from Bentley’s
What: Forget about soggy cucumber sandwiches and instead enjoy a seafood feast of epic proportions from Richard Corrigan’s Bentley’s. Serving three to four people, the hamper includes a loaf of soda bread with seaweed butter, rock oysters, smoked salmon, dressed crab, lobster bisque, shellfish cocktail and fish pies. To finish up, there’s Hazelnut Craquelin Choux and Stilton cheese with oat biscuits, so you can delight in both sweet and savoury flavours.
How much: £280
Available: Year round
This article contains affiliate links. Prices correct at time of writing.
If you’d rather be waited on, check out our pick of the best London restaurants with outdoor space.