12 best picnic hampers for sunny days 2025 UKWhat is the best food to take on a picnic?
This will of course come down to personal preference, but you want items that are easy to eat while balanced on a picnic blanket, will travel well and are best served cold. That’s why mini pies, sausage rolls, Scotch eggs, sandwiches and general grazing platters are so popular.
If you prefer to build your own, we’ve also tested the best picnic food.
If you fancy supplementing any of the ready-made options below (although many won’t need it as they come packed with so many delicious treats!), a favourite GH recipe is this stuffed picnic loaf. And we recommend taking one of our best cocktails in a can to serve alongside your spread.
Need more inspiration? Check out our cookery team’s favourite picnic recipes.
How we test ready-made picnic hampers
Our team of experts munched their way through a range of picnic hampers. They were looking for selections that offered plenty of choice and convenience, leaving you free to enjoy the sunshine. All food items had to be full of flavour with a carefully curated mix of products that complemented each other.
We’ve also added some editor’s picks below to give you more choice and price points – they haven’t been tested in the lab but come highly recommended by our food & drink editor.
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Best picnic hamper
Fortnum & Mason The Food Hall Favourites Box
Score: 93/100
Filled with lots of savoury, quintessentially British treats, this hamper will please the traditionalists. Our testers loved the rich, perfectly seasoned chicken and ham pie, the Scotch egg with a satisfyingly runny yolk, and the generous wedge of stilton and wheel of Dorset brie – all of which paired beautifully with the selection of beer.
Best gift
DukesHill Savoury Delights Hamper
Score: 87/100
This is a well-curated savoury hamper – most of the products are vacuum-packed or have a long life, which makes it a good choice if you want to buy in advance. Everything also comes in a neat wicker basket, making it great for gifting.
The panel’s favourites included the delicious chunk of perfectly seasoned, honey-baked ham, the flavoursome cheddar cheese, the tender smoked mackerel, and the piccalilli, which was packed with vegetables and slices of cucumber.
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Best for cheese and wine lovers
Snowdonia Cheese Selection & Wine Wicker Hamper
Score: 84/100
If cheese, chocolate and wine are the only food groups you really care about, then you’re in luck, as this hamper celebrates all three. Our testers loved the bold flavours from the four waxed cheeses, which include a “hearty” cheddar with truffle.
Testers enjoyed the roasted fig and sultana crackers, the “light and refreshing” bottle of Chilean red and nicely curated extra dark Willie’s chocolate, which pairs brilliantly with the wine.
Huffkins Snowshill Foodie Hamper
Score: 78/100
This is a nicely curated hamper with a mix of sweet and savoury items. Highlights for our panel were the strong cheddar, “knock-out” Bloody Mary chutney and bold, fruity strawberry jam. You also get a bottle of pink fizz and a box of (marzipan-heavy) chocolates to round off your picnic.
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Best for sweet tooths
Cutter & Squidge Afternoon Tea Picnic Hamper 
Score: 83/100
Though this hamper does include savoury options, the sweet treats – which our testers absolutely loved – are where this picnic selection from Cutter & Squidge really shines.
Favourites included the rich and fudgy brownie, with strong cocoa notes and crispy balls on top, the vibrant lemon cake topped with dried petals, and the scones with punchy strawberry jam. Pair it all with the delicately flavoured tea (bring a flask of hot water) for a perfect summer afternoon picnic.
Prestige Hampers Cheese and Wine Basket
Score: 76/100
Another option for the cheese and wine fans, this hamper is packed with flavourful cheddars, including an earthy black pepper cheese and a pizza cheddar, which proved popular with our panel.
The oatcakes provide a good base for the cheese, and the spicy tomato and sticky onion chutney is another standout product, pairing well with the pizza cheese in particular. The Merlot works well with the black pepper cheese, with lots of ripe red and light black fruits.
Our testers suggested supplementing with breads and meats if you want to expand the dining options a little.
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Hay Hampers Pleasing Prosecco Picnic Hamper
Score: 70/100
This option contains brie and cheddar with the addition of a crumbly, nutty red Leicester. Testers said the chutney was pleasingly traditional in flavour – a great pairing with the cheese. Other elements they enjoyed included Scottish smoked salmon, a lobster terrine, and a duck pâté.
Editor’s picks
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The British Hamper Company The Picnic Celebration Hamper
This premium hamper contains a quality selection, made to be enjoyed in the sunshine. Highlights include luxuriously thick slices of smoked salmon, cured coppa and fresh scones with cream and jam. There are plenty of other treats to discover too, including a bottle of Chapel Downs’ delicious blush rosé.
It’s presented in a pretty wicker basket which can be reused every summer.
Made in Oldstead The Ploughman’s Box
You can’t beat a Ploughman’s—especially when it’s brought to you by Michelin-starred chef Tommy Banks and his team.
Designed for two people, the gourmet box contains a selection of top-notch cheese, a cooked ham joint, mini pies and a freshly baked sourdough loaf, alongside chutneys, condiments and crisps. There are also three cans of beer, made exclusively for them. Cheers!
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Daylesford Picnic Hamper
This sweet and savoury hamper from Daylesford comes in a cool bag with icepacks, making it ideal for transporting to your chosen sunny spot.
Expect a largely organic selection, with cheese, chutney and sourdough, and a decadent pork pie. And if that doesn’t satisfy your cravings, there’s also a lemon drizzle cake and biscuits, and both fizz and tea to wash it all down with.
Cartwright & Butler The Family Feasting Picnic Hamper
Treat the whole gang to a family-friendly feast courtesy of Cartwright & Butler. It arrives in a stunning reusable wicker basket that includes plates, cups and a thermal flask. To eat, there’s crackers, cheese and chutney, followed by plenty of sweet treats.
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Hay Hampers Perfect Picnic for Two Cool Bag Gift
The perfect hamper for two! Your goodies will arrive in a handy cool bag, ready for its next adventure. The contents include duck pate and spicy chorizo sausage spread, vintage cheddar and more. Raise a glass with either a mini bottle of prosecco or Peroni. And you even get a branded tea towel, ready to mop up any little spillages.
Joanna Anastasiou is our Food and Drinks Tester, and has completed certifications in Sensory Foundation and WSET Wine Level 2 training. Prior to this she studied geography with conservation biology at the University of Exeter and trained at Ballymaloe Cookery School in Ireland. Through this she has developed a passion for sustainability within the food and agricultural sectors. Joanna also volunteers in kitchens with FoodCycle, as well as on multiple wildlife conservation projects, where she formed a particular love for bees!
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