• Days out
• Useful picnic links

Eating ‘al fresco’ during warmer climates is a tradition enjoyed all over the world, with picnics becoming the focal point of many a summer’s day. To many of us, picnics are an essential part of summer activity ranging from an intimate and romantic setting for two to a lively family gathering or even a large group outing. The unpredictable nature of the British summer means that picnics are rarely planned too far in advance resulting in a more spontaneous and ‘ad hoc’ occasion, which probably explains why we derive so much pleasure from them!

• The term picnic comes from the French verb piquer, which means to ‘to pick’ or ‘peck’ (at food) and it is claimed that its use originated during the latter part of the 17th century. The French coupled piquer with nique, a term used to describe something small and of little value. The double barrelled piquer-nique was the term thus used to signify a fashionable social gathering or a party where people would contribute to the occasion by bringing along some of their own food and drink.



• The British adoption of picnic as the common descriptive term for a ‘meal out-of-doors’ seems to stem from the 19th century, during the reign of Queen Victoria. Picnics grew to an incredible level of popularity amongst Victorians, who considered it a most fashionable summer pastime. Indeed, it was the norm for the quality of food and service at a Victorian picnic to be equal to that of repasts usually enjoyed in the home. Basically, they would take their dining facilities and, with the aid of a few servants, transport them outdoors to maintain a civilised appeal.



• It is claimed that the actual concept of picnicking existed in Medieval times when hunting parties would take along a substantial amount of food to enjoy during a break from the tasks at hand.



• Victorian picnics were often lavish affairs offering the most sumptuous foods to stimulate the most ardent palates. A wide variety of meats, game and poultry were served alongside fresh salad vegetables and lobster. Homemade savoury pastries and pies were a regular treat with desserts often consisting of summer fruits, cakes, tarts and biscuits. To drink there would be the obligatory wine and champagne. Finally, a Victorian picnic would not be complete without a fresh pot of tea. A kerosene burner was deemed to be an essential picnic item, which was used solely for boiling the kettles.



• The French custom of bringing one’s own food as a contribution was gradually replaced by the Victorian practice of a single host supplying all of the refreshment. Of course, it was the servants who prepared the food whilst the host’s most arduous task was to designate an appropriate setting for the picnic!



• Since the 19th century, picnicking has become imbibed in our culture. On a fine day you’ll find picnics being held on beaches, in parks and gardens - even in roadside lay-byes! On an outing, a picnic is the cheapest dining option and, once a suitable location is found, it is certainly the most convenient. Larger, more formal picnics seem to have come full-circle with people emulating the original French custom of contributing food their own food to the picnic.



• Our contemporary picnics seem to be more modest in comparison to those of the Victorian era, but we are nonetheless spoiled for luxury thanks to the advancement of food preservation technology (cool bags, flasks, plastic containers) and manufactured accessories (butane gas burners, hampers, utensils). At the drop of a hat, we can pack all the gadgetry into the car (along with the necessary food and drink) and drive to a remote spot for a day of relaxation…as long as it’s not raining, that is!