In London - July 2006

The captivating freshness of the English summer and the pleasure of picnicking on the rolling lawns has been sung and celebrated throughout the centuries, as far back as 1654 as a matter of fact, with the first recorded al fresco dinner served by Oliver Cromwell in the grounds of Hyde Park.  This summer appears to have been declared the summer of feasting, as one renowned London restaurant after another proffers their hampers for your delectation, be it a little nibble of a luxurious three course feast.  With such a range of cuisines and locations, the difficulty is how to choose between Carluccio’s, Villandry, Inn the Park, Shish, Paxton & Whitfield and many other purveyors of delectables and in which of London’s many famous parklands to settle.

The oldest of the parks, St. James’s, took its name from the leper hospital that stood in the grounds back in the 13th century.  Surrounded by the top brass government offices of Whitehall, this lush location is prime turf for watching suited and booted Londoners strip off to catch the rays on their lunch breaks.  Just opposite the Duck Pond is the restaurant Inn the Park in a distinctive environmentally-friendly turf topped building.  Managed by renowned restaurateur Oliver Peyton, it offers everything from coffee and cakes to full meals throughout the day, whether in the cool design of the interior or out on the terrace.  New for this summer they’ll also be offering a range of picnic boxes featuring a veritable gastronomic journey of traditional British delights from Scottish crab mayonnaise to Welsh roast beef with horseradish.  Peyton comments: “it’s always a joy when the sun does come out to see people making the most of it, grabbing food and making the most of those open spaces”.

Just around the corner and suitably benefiting the royal surroundings is Berry Bros & Rudd’s.  Known as Britain’s oldest wine and spirit merchant, this family-run firm is still based in the original shop in St. James’s Street 300 years later and supplies the Queen and The Prince of Wales with wines.  Stop in on the way for a bottle of champagne or rosé to sip while admiring the spectacular array of flowers of which St. James’s park is so proud.  If you fancy a nibble with your bubbly, pop into nearby Paxton & Whitfield, another famous royal supplier who’ve been pursuing a passion for cheese for over 200 years, hand-made in small quantities and using the finest natural ingredients in traditional recipes.

Just across the Mall is Green Park, a vast stretch of an emerald oasis. Take a load off your feet beneath the tree lined boulevard or pull up a seat in the distinctive striped deck chairs of the park.  And if you really want to do your picnic in style, what better way to keep the champagne cool than the Krug leather champagne hand-made carry case by Connolly, in which two half bottles of Krug Grande Cuvée champagne and flutes nestle cosily?  Along with a pot of caviar from Caviar House on Piccadilly, you’ll have a treat reflecting the exclusivity of Mayfair and the history of Green Park as a pleasure garden of the upper classes.

For those with a penchant for more Mediterranean flavours, Carluccio’s is a well-known deli for Italian delights and their food baskets provide a refreshing twist on the usual hampers.  Antonio Carluccio agrees that: “Picnics are the simplest and best way to enjoy the summer.  In Italy, picnics are huge affairs with family and friends gathering to spend time together and share their favourite dishes.  Carluccio’s is proud to help uphold this age-old custom.”  A choice of three picnics from £30 comes with a vast array of Italian dishes to savour in the shade with a bottle of Sicilian wine to douse the heat of the afternoon.

One branch is situated at equal distance from Regent’s and Hyde Park, just off Oxford Street at St. Christopher’s Place, itself a veritable oasis of al fresco dining in London.

St. Christopher’s Place has over 20 restaurants and cafés to choose from, whether you’re seeking a shady nook to recover form the bustle of the shops, or wishing to catch the locals in action over lunch or dinner.

Another fine deli and restaurant, within champagne cork-popping distance of Regent’s Park is Villandry, where you can create your own picnic at the deli or choose from one of their summer picnic boxes.  Check out British stalwarts such as Tandoori chicken with yoghurt, or strawberries and clotted cream.  Hamper swinging from your arm, head over to Regent’s Park to find a spot along Regent’s Canal, or have an early dinner before catching a Shakespeare play at the Open Air theatre in the centre of the park.

Further North and up over the hills is Hampstead heat, known as the ‘Lungs of London’ for its acre of rolling green.  Roam in the woods or canoodle with your loved one in the tall grassy fields with stunning views over London.  On the weekends, the park is ideal for celebrity spotting from the terrace of the Brew House, a café attached to the gorgeous Kenwood House.  On summer evenings, music can be heard wafting through the park from the famous Kenwood Music On a Summer Evening concerts.  For the full-on picnic experience, head around the corner to Rosslyn Delicatessen, with over 30 years of history in providing fresh, made to order picnics and other essentials such as parasols and blankets.  Over by Primrose Hill, Melrose and Morgan’s offer plenty of traditional English treats in their picnic baskets, such as Scotch eggs or the famous dessert, Eton Mess.

Or perhaps you’d prefer to cool off while trailing your fingers in the waters of Hyde Park’s Serpentine. gliding along, boating or dipping your toes in the Princess Diana Memorial Fountain?  On hot afternoons children can be seen paddling in the flowing waters, while the grown-ups roll up their trousers to dunk in their feet on the way home from work.  Just up the road in Bayswater is Shish, whose Middle Eastern inspired picnic boxes are just perfect for laid-back picnicking, as David Azouri, founder of Shish notes: “Street food by its very nature is cooked and eaten in the open air.  Inspired by the recipes and ingredients which are widespread along the ancient Silk Road, Shish’s summer picnics are ideal for people who want to come together and enjoy great food.”