How to create the perfect whimsical countryside picnic {Guest Post}

It’s officially Autumn now, so it’s time to get serious about enjoying the beautiful outdoors before that unbearable cold hits us! There’s no better way to encourage yourself to get out than a picnic, and that really doesn’t have to mean cold sandwiches and lukewarm hot chocolate in a flask – nope! This article is about planning a whimsical countryside picnic, full of pretty picnic accessories, fun activities and delicious recipes!

The Kit

Everyone needs a picnic kit, and the prettier, the better – above are some of our favourite selections that you might find hard to resist. First of all, you need a picnic basket, ideally in traditional wicker with smart leather handles! It’s the perfect countryside chic accessory. This extremely luxurious basket is from Lowe – the neon pink details will leave you swooning. Next you need some darling little containers, like the ones above from Modcloth – plain old Tupperware will not do!

Cath Kidston is ideal for pretty ceramics and glassware, so head over there for sweet country-cottage style prints like the ones we have featured here. The final accessory to your complete picnic kit we recommend is this hunter’s flask from Ptarmigan – they make clothing and accessories for people who live and work in the countryside, so you can be assured your hot chocolate or tea will stay piping hot in this!

The Food

 

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Traditional English countryside picnics are all about eating food from local farms, or even better, from our own gardens! Get hold of some fresh raspberries and a little edible lavender, mix them up and add to fresh squeezed lemon juice with sparking water for a pink lemonade that’s incredibly special. For food, spend a little time making simple fresh desserts like strawberry tarts and mini victoria sponges, and if you’d like something a little more savoury, keep things fresh and organic, and make some sandwiches with homemade relish on homemade Ciabatta buns! It’s better to put a lot of effort into a few treats; you will really taste the difference.

The Fun

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Forget the portable DVD player, a countryside picnic is all about getting back to basics, why not try making daisy chain crowns for you and your friends, or see who can find the most wild blackberries for nibbling on! (Make sure you bring some water to wash them in first). If you fancy something a little more exhilarating, you could set up nearby your local stables, and try a little countryside hack around the farm – horse riding will definitely leave you hungry for your picnic!

The Décor

 

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Décor? In the countryside? Yes, you can do it, and it will make your picnic magical beyond compare. You don’t need much, just a few soft pillows, a lovely wool blanket, and maybe some flowers or some solar fairy lights. Your beautiful picnic kit will be the finishing touch.

And a final tip, if you’re worried by that unpredictable autumn weather, you might want to invest in a boutique camping tepee, or a waterproof canopy – with lots of snug blankets and hot drinks, the rain can be just another part of the adventure.

Guest post contributed by Kirstie, digital editor at Edgemere equestrian supply store.