We round up our favourite spots to stock up your hamper, and reveal where’s best to park your blanket and enjoy some alfresco feasting
Dinky Deli, Hemingford Grey
This spot near Huntingdon is a foodie’s dream for filling up your picnic basket with quality food and drink, much of it sourced from local suppliers. A family-run delicatessen, Dinky Deli unites the best produce from small businesses in Cambridge and beyond. Everything is handpicked by husband-and-wife team Chris and Kelly, who count these businesses as close friends – including Peichin’s Table, Orriss & Son, Rennet & Rind, The Modern Table, Grain Culture, Mini Miss Bread and Flourish. As a travel-loving family, they have adopted the French philosophy of always being prepared for lunch, stopping at noon wherever they are and pulling out a picnic table, chairs and a buffet. This is reflected in their culinary offering, which is stocked with great bites to eat on the go at this time of year. Fill your boots with homemade quiche, Scotch eggs, fresh sourdough, British cheese and charcuterie, tinned fish, antipasti, raw milk butter and Cumbrian honeycomb.
Where to picnic? Hemingford Grey is surrounded by scenic walks, perfect to throw down a blanket for a picnic stop on Hemingford Meadows if you’re walking between here and St Ives. Failing that, a visit to Dinky Deli to stock up on supplies for a future picnic is worth the trip alone!
Scott’s All Day
Pizza might not be your first thought when picnics spring to mind, but there’s nothing like sharing a freshly baked slice with friends. Now, Mill Road’s favourite neighbourhood pizzeria is offering you the chance to take the party outside thanks to its delivery service. Between Thursday and Saturday evenings, Scott’s All Day can deliver its award-winning pizzas within a 2.5-mile radius from the restaurant. Orders can be placed at scottsallday.com and, best of all, you can get 20% off your first delivery. Simply enter the code ‘20OFF’ at checkout for a discount when placing an order with a minimum spend of £20!
Where to picnic? Most of the city’s best picnic spots fall within the restaurant’s delivery radius, so you can enjoy your fresh slice on green spaces such as Midsummer Common, Laundress Lane or Lammas Land to name just a few.
Meadows
Founded by experienced cheesemonger Suzannah Watson, Meadows is a specialist neighbourhood delicatessen with two locations in Newnham and Mill Road. Here, you will find fresh staple produce alongside artisanal cheese – including sourdough bread from local bakers as well as organic and regeneratively grown fruit and vegetables. Suzannah is passionate about sourcing food from the best producers across East Anglia, like Pump Street Chocolate, Strangers Coffee and Peichin’s Table. Meadows also offers quality lunches, cakes and bakes made in-house.
Where to picnic? With various ready-to-eat options, Meadows’ location on Eltisley Avenue makes this the ultimate foodie stopover if you are en route to a lazy afternoon by the river in Grantchester Meadows.
The Pheasant, Great Chishill
Celebrate the arrival of summer dining in the great outdoors at this charming village pub. Executive chef David has put together some expertly curated picnic hampers perfect for outdoor eating with zero hassle on your part. Feast on succulent buttermilk chicken, mouth-watering honey-roasted ham, as well as freshly baked sourdough baguettes. No picnic would be complete without warm sultana scones served with Tiptree strawberry jam and luscious Devonshire clotted cream. Indulgence knows no bounds with the selection of mini desserts, too. Choose from tempting delights such as chocolate éclairs, homemade brownies and irresistible doughnuts. And why not elevate your experience by adding a bottle of bubbly or a refreshing jug of Pimm’s? Because what’s a leisurely day outdoors without something cool to sip on?
Finally, for your furry friends, don’t forget to ask about the dog-friendly picnic menu, too! Priced at £30 per hamper, bookings are available 48 hours in advance and require a minimum of two people. Gluten-free alternatives are available on request and a £5 deposit is applicable at the time of booking.
Where to picnic? Sitting at the highest point in Cambridgeshire, this charming village pub invites you to enjoy countryside hospitality at its finest, looking out across stunning views. With hampers and blankets provided, all you need to do is bring along your loved ones for the perfect Instagrammable picnic experience in the scenic pub gardens.
Kibou in the park
Kibou Japanese Kitchen and Bar is launching a brand-new range of sushi picnic bundles for the summer, featuring three different sharing platters for two or four people to click and collect. Picnickers can choose from the Niji platter – a colourful rainbow of vegan sushi; or the Natsu (summer) platter – including Kibou’s signature sushi and sashimi Jo Moriawase, along with a selection of salmon, sea bream and tuna hosomaki. For those looking for something a bit more special, opt for the Saiko platter. This luxury set comes with the showstopping Tokujo Moriawase sushi and sashimi selection, alongside a decadent surf-and-turf nigiri topped with seared salmon and wagyu beef with truffle mayo. All platters also include steamed edamame topped with black lava salt plus a soy- and sesame-dressed cucumber and seaweed salad. Kibou is also offering a selection of takeaway drinks with the picnic bundles – including beer, prosecco, wine and soft drinks. Sharing platters start from £40 for two for the vegan version, increasing to £70 for the signature luxury platter. To find out more, visit kibou.co.uk
Where to picnic? Located on Jesus Lane, Kibou sits a stone’s throw from one of the city’s most popular picnic spots – Jesus Green. It’s the ideal place to savour your hamper and induce picnic envy. Fancy taking to the river? Kibou has coupled with Let’s Go Punting to exclusively offer the platters onboard to guests.
