Ace picnic facts for Wimbledon
The Wimbledon Tennis Championships begins on July 3rd, but they won’t just be serving up searing aces during the following two weeks.
Amongst other delights, visiting fans get through:
- 28,000kg of English strawberries
- 320,000 glasses of Pimm’s
- 76,000 sandwiches
- 30,000 pizzas
- 29,000 bottles of champagne, that one surprised us a bit:
- 5,000kg of bananas!
Whether you’re taking your own supplies with you (The Telegraph has some perfect make-at-home picnic recipe inspiration) or are planning slightly more modest catering for your camping trip away, it's important to be prepared to picnic:
Keep it traditional...
A classic tartan picnic blanket is a must-have when setting out your savouries, and gives a comfortable focal point for friends or family. Damp ground is always a danger in the British summer picnic season, so lookout for a blanket with waterproof backing. These durable blankets are made for the outdoors so they dry quickly and are much easier to clean, making them perfect accessories to keep on hand in the boot of the car or caravan.
...or perch above the flora and fauna
If you're not keen on direct contact with nature (especially ants invading your lunch), buying a picnic table is the way forward. Being able to sit on a proper bench does add a touch of refinement to your al-fresco dining, and foldable camping furniture makes things even easier - a portable picnic table will fold flat to fit comfortably inside your leisure vehicle of choice.
Don't hamper food safety
New advice from the Food Standard Agency says don't take a picnic hamper! As the wicker basket is so difficult to clean, they can be a breeding ground for bacteria, and the warm environment isn't a safe temperature for typical picnic items like soft cheese or ham. Choose an insulated coolbag instead, and bring icepacks. If you've got the space, a 12V plug-in coolbox or fridge will make sure your food stays cool and safe if you're travelling far.
Find some more inspiration including colorful cutlery , blankets and foldable furniture in our picnic range, and enjoy the tennis!
