Must-Haves for a Picnic in Hyde Park
One of the best things about living in London is the ease of accessibility to some of the best parks and gardens in Britain.
Hyde Park in particular is one of the more popular parks in the city, and it’s easy to see why. It offers a place for the entire family to enjoy, and a great space for setting up a picnic. Visitors are welcome to bring their own food and drinks, making it the perfect place to enjoy a day out on a budget.
If you’re planning a day out, here’s what you should consider bringing.
Pack a picnic blanket
Notably, Hyde Park features carpets of green lawn, meaning it’s a great place to set-up a picnic blanket and enjoy a day out in the sun. Some parts of the park have benches and visitors are welcome to bring their own chairs.
Top tip: choose a blanket that has a waterproof lining to avoid getting the blanket wet from the moisture in the grass.
Prepare easy-to-eat food
If you’re a part of the Shaftesbury Hyde Park Loyalty Program, you’ll likely have started your morning with a delicious (and complimentary!) breakfast in bed. Of course, you’re sure to be peckish throughout the day.
Finger foods and easy-to-eat meals are best suited for a picnic. There is no point in preparing food that will require you to eat with a variety of utensils as you will most likely be sitting on the grass. If you plan to arrange an outdoor table setting, then you can get away with serving more elaborate meals.
We recommend that you avoid serving food that needs to be warmed and instead stick to cold foods.
Pack enough cutlery and crockery
It’s all good and well to pack delicious treats, but it comes of no use if you don’t have the necessary equipment for serving what you have prepared. Make sure you have the right number of utensils for the people in your party, and always have napkins and serviettes handy.
Keep a cooler
Keeping your drinks in the cooler will ensure that all your beverages always remain cool upon serving. some foods will require cold storage to avoid getting spoilt.
Choose a spot that offers shade
As you might expect, Hyde Park is surrounded by trees. Choose a spot that offers a good balance between sun and shade and avoid spending too much time sitting directly under the sun. You won’t want to return back to Paddington Court Executive Rooms sunburnt!
Pack a corkscrew and bottle opener
Most wines require that you open with a corkscrew, and there is nothing more frustrating than having the best bottle of wine and not being able to open it. Pack your corkscrew and bottle opener with the rest your utensils to make it easy to remember.
Create an ambience
Why not get creative with your picnic? The internet is full of ideas on themes that you can adopt, perfect for a party in the park. Whether you’re planning a children’s birthday party or a baby shower, you’ll be able to transform London’s most famous green space without much time, effort, or money.
See you in Hyde Park!
