6 best picnic boxes to try this summer

6 of the best picnic boxes to try this summer

DukesHill Picnic Delights Hamper

• Available from DukesHill (£95)

Best luxury picnic box

For a traditional feast that feels as though it would happily fit into the set of Bridgerton, opt for this decadent picnic hamper from DukesHill. The hamper comes in a grand wicker basket you can keep, or you can go for a delivery minus the basket for a little cheaper. Alternatively, choose the DukesHill Shropshire Picnic Selection, which includes Scotch eggs, charcuterie, rosé and a lemon drizzle cake.

Rather than sandwiches or salads, the Picnic Delights hamper focuses on some of DukesHill's favourite deli delights: slices of the cooked ham they are best known for, oak smoked salmon, mackerel pâté (just add a baguette or melba toasts) and a family pork pie complete with a jar of piccalilli. A 200g chunk of Isle of Mull crumbly cheddar and oatcakes act as a cheese course, and a smart box of pistachio and parmesan sablés are a good appetiser while you get settled in your picnic spot. If you've still got room, chocolate brownies and buttery shortbread make a simple sweet dessert that's easy to transport.

Available from:
DukesHill (£95)

Pique 'The Champion'

• Available from Pique (from £60)

Best for themed boxes

Pique is a picnic delivery specialist – founded in 2017 to focus solely on delivering gourmet picnics. As a result, it has a range of picnic boxes to choose from, including afternoon tea (previously reviewed by our sister brand olive) or 'pub in a box' themed choices. We opted for The Champion, a generously packed box that includes sweet and savoury items, plus cans of Pimm's to wash it down (as well as a pot of strawberries, mint and orange slices to garnish).

The entirely plastic-free delivery includes cutlery, plates, napkins and cups for a complete picnic experience, and comes in a disposable cardboard hamper designed like a picnic basket, which is easy to carry to your chosen picnic destination.

Highlights on the plentiful menu include flaky sausage rolls, creamy coronation chicken and a herby pesto orzo salad – there's something here for everyone. There are classic sweet treats galore to appease a sweet tooth: scones with jam and clotted cream, two paper bags containing mini thick, fudgy chocolate brownies and two pots of strawberries and cream. We were impressed that everything arrived so neatly – not a strawberry out of place. There's plenty here to keep you happily grazing all afternoon. You can order the box for 2-6 people and also opt for a vegetarian menu.

Available from:
Pique (from £60)

Cutter & Squidge afternoon tea picnic hamper

• Available from Cutter & Squidge (£52.99)

Best afternoon tea picnic hamper

When it comes to classic picnic perfection, Cutter & Squidge never disappoints. This delightful box of goodies is sure so satisfy a range of appetites, with all kinds of sweet and savoury options to snack on.

A vegetarian feast for two, this afternoon tea picnic features the traditional offering of scones with strawberry jam and clotted cream. Savoury notes come in the way of veggie sausage rolls, cheesy courgette loaves (our favourites), truffle crisps and seeded buttermilk crackers with tomato chutney. Finish off on a sweet note with two melt-in-the-mouth lemon drizzle loaf cakes and rich brownie squares. Two fruity sparkling raspberry lemonades are also provided to wash it all down – a perfect light summer beverage.

All items arrived in perfect condition, efficiently packed so nothing had moved around. Useful instructions are provided for storing and reheating the picnic items, where necessary. The picnic hamper is is available with or without prosecco (add it for an extra £10), and can be delivered by post anywhere in the UK, making it a versatile gift or special treat.

Available from:
Cutter & Squidge (£52.99)

The Fortnum's Picnic Provisions Box

• Available from Fortnum & Mason (£70)

Best for gifting

A treat for any special summer celebrations, a delivery from Fortnum & Mason is guaranteed to feel memorable. This cardboard box delivery (containing seven luxurious items from the Fortnum & Mason food hall for a decadent summer grazing picnic. Ours arrived in two large deliveries, with the pork pie getting a box all of its own.

Designed to be enough for 'four hungry picnicers', a large classic pork pie and pack of Scottish smoked salmon kick off the feast. The pork pie has a juicy, well-seasoned Lincolnshire pork filling and traditional crumbly pastry – serve with a generous spoonful of the piccalilli included. For a picnic cheese course, a weighty chunk of cheddar and smooth triple cream cheese are accompanied by buttery crackers, before rich chocolate florentines complete the chic offering. This does not necessarily contain everything you'd need to pack up and go straight away, but as a special delivery to someone this summer it provides luxury gourmet treats to add a touch of decadence to any al fresco feast.

Available from:
Fortnum & Mason (£70)

Snowdonia Cheese Co. Cheese & Chutney Picnic Cool Bag

• Available from Snowdonia Cheese Co. (£45)

Best for a savoury picnic

If finger sandwiches and miniature cakes aren't your style, opt for this cheese-focused picnic box instead. Proving that cheeseboards don't have to be just for Christmas, the reusable insulated tote bag delivery includes three wax-coated cheeses: a cave-aged cheddar, a cheddar with roasted garlic and herbs, and a vintage red Leicester. At 150-200g, they're the ideal size for sharing and the wax-coated wheels are easy to transport to your chosen picnic spot.

Buttermilk crackers and a selection of chutneys (our favourite is the sticky balsamic caramelised onion chutney) are included to accompany your cheeses for a classy picnic spread. There's a range of picnic hampers with further additions too, including soft drinks, rosé or a luxurious wicker basket.

Available from:
Snowdonia Cheese Co. (£45)

Rick Stein, Stein's at Home Picnic Box

• Available from Rick Stein (£55)

Best picnic box for two

Whether you're a fan of Rick Stein or simply love fresh Cornish produce, this ready-made picnic box comes with a selection of sweet and savoury bites and a handy jute bag for transporting everything in.

It's ideal for two, and among the offerings are pepper mix nuts, spicy beetroot chutney, Torres Jamón Ibérico crisps, and a smooth, creamy smoked mackerel pâté. For sweet there's clotted cream shortbread, stored in a metal tin that's pretty enough to keep.

Freshly made sausage rolls and miniature Cornish pasties are included, too, though due to supplier issues with our box, the latter was replaced with two sets of miniature quiches (salmon and broccoli and quiche Lorraine), which were creamy and generously filled.

Of course, no picnic box from Cornwall would be complete without cheese and biscuits, and you'll also find a punchy Valdeón Picos Blue, a smooth Cornish Gouda, and a box of oat biscuits inside – ideal accompaniments to this classic Cornish spread.

Available from:
Rick Stein (£55)

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