It has been 40 years since Australian director Peter Weir released his often referenced classic, Picnic at Hanging Rock, and, swinging from that chilling mystery to this week’s launch of Glyndebourne’s annual opera festival with its opulent, very British feasts, picnics are on the forefront of our consciousness this bank holiday weekend.
Of course extravagances are no necessity and a casual gathering in the countryside, at the beach or on Hampstead Heath is just as perfect a place for an excursion and we have made a selection of vibrant wares to give the outdoor repast a much needed boost of contemporary colour.
From versatile items such as Kira’s lightweight and boldly clashing cotton picnic blankets and Carioca Collection’s neoprene holdall to Lorenzo Martone’s eye-catching bicycles complete with basket, there are vivid hues aplenty guaranteed to brighten even the cloudiest of days.
1. Whiskey Flask by F. Hammann, £115; 2. St. Germain Women’s Bike by Lorenzo Martone, £1,100; 3. Chilli Oil by Bread Tree, £6; 4. Neoprene Holdall by Carioca Collection, £225; 5. Striped Cotton Blanket by Kira, £150; 6. Red Pepper Dip by aix&terra, £7.20; 7. Beach Bat Set by Frescobal Carioca, £150; 8. Bistro Chair by Fermob, £57.