How to Go on a Real English Picnic

I have to admit—sometimes my interpretation of a picnic is getting takeout and eating it outside on a blanket. Other times it’s just snacking on some cheese and grapes. Picnic can be a loose term here in the states!

In the English countryside, however, a picnic is a whole event. You homemake everything and go all out. It’s pretty much a feast but on the ground! If you’ve been dying to travel to England and want to create your own English picnic experience, check out these fantastic guides and recipes.

The Perfect Picnic, Four Ways

"A picnic done well can be pure bliss, but no-one enjoys a limp, half-baked, or poorly catered one! The keys to picnic perfection are simple: avoid store-bought stuff, and be well prepared.

It’s all in the food itself, really. Although it’s so easy to fall back on cheap supermarket versions of classics such as Scotch eggs and sausage rolls, it’s well worth the effort of making your own."

What Makes a Proper British Picnic?

"When one takes the Ratty and Mole approach, there is no greater, or simpler, pleasure than the British picnic. Forget the competitive, elaborate feasts now intrinsic to the summer social calendar. A proper British picnic is a chance to enjoy scenery and sunshine. Jeremy Musson suggests packing up a blanket and hamper this summer, for the simple joy of it."

English Garden Cocktail

"Gin, elderflower, cucumber; quintessentially British ingredients that are perfect for creating a refreshing summer cocktail. English garden is really easy to make and could be made into a jug cocktail, too, just multiply the ingredients by the number of people you want to serve."

An Easy Classic Pimm’s and Lemonade Recipe

"Who could ever consider an English summer day without a glass of Pimms and Lemonade in the hand. This light, (yet alcoholic) drink is synonymous with many summer events in Britain and you will find it at all festivals, weddings, sporting events especially the tennis at Wimbledon, at the tennis tournament, an average of 235,000 glass are served (2015 figures)."

—The Spruce Eats

Scotch Eggs with a Perfect Runny Yolk

"Every country and cuisine has its convenience food: the dish that’s so ubiquitous – it’s in the supermarket, the corner store, the petrol station – why would you ever bother making it yourself? For Britain, I think that food is the Scotch egg. A soft-boiled (or, occasionally, hard-boiled: let’s talk about that below) egg wrapped in layers of sausage meat and breadcrumbs and deep fried."

—Nerds with Knives

English Sausage Rolls Recipe

"When I am in England I have plenty of opportunities to pick up a cheek sausage roll, hello Greggs is ma best mate! LOL, And when I worked at the British Pub here in California I was also able to grab a sausage roll at a moments notice. Now though, working from home, I can’t have a sausage roll whenever I want one. Luckily making them at home is SUPER EASY."

—Confessions of a Baking Queen

About the Author

I’m Hayley, a digital content writer for City Lifestyle and a certified yoga instructor and meditation coach. I have a bachelor’s degree in English from Rockhurst University and love all forms of creative writing. Some of my favorite topics to research are style + beauty, wellness, pets, home design, indoor gardening, vegetarian recipes, and travel.

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