Win with Sophie Allport and Watergate Bay

We’ve got together with the team at Sophie Allport to give-away a two-night stay, surf lessons and a £200 Sophie Allport voucher, to get you ‘picnic ready’ for the summer.

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Beach Picnics

Laying on a blanket, sipping an ice-cold drink, and eating your way through your favourite food is a great way to spend your day, especially when you’re at the beach. It’s easy to find happiness when it’s picnic season – a chance to relax in the sunshine and spend quality time with your family, friends or by yourself with a good summer read. We’ve teamed up with British homewares brand Sophie Allport to share Sophie’s 10 top tips for a beach picnic.

Guest blog by Sophie Allport.

1. A good picnic spot - First up, you need to find the right place to lay out the blanket, and that will change for everyone depending on how much you love the sunshine, how many of you there are and if you’ll be spending any time in the sea. Think about taking something like a parasol to create some much-needed shade pick somewhere with plenty of space for beach rounders. Clear out any unwanted rocks, seaweed, or shells, as they are not the comfiest to sit on, and keep an eye on the tide.

Offering two miles of sandy beach on the north coast of Cornwall, Watergate Bay is the ideal spot. Good for surfing and it's dog friendly.

2. Pack the essentials – Don’t forget the plates. Picnics give the green light to eat with your hands, but plates are essential for all the picking and sharing you’ll be doing. And, would it even be a picnic without pretty plates? Melamine plates are a good go-to as they are lightweight and durable, so you don’t have to worry about any smashing.

3. Picnic must-haves:
• Food
• Picnic bag
• Picnic blanket
• Plates
• Cutlery
• Napkins
• Cushions and throws for extra comfort
• Rubbish bag
• Games

4. Keep it cool - A frozen bottle of water serves as a great cooler for your picnic bag and a refreshing drink once the ice has melted. Frozen grapes are also a tasty ice cube alternative to give drinks a fruity flavour and will help to keep you refreshed for your day under the sun.

5. Say bye to bugs - Cupcake cases are handy for stopping tiny creatures from crawling into your drink, they’ll also keep any sand away. Just put them over your cup, slide a straw through for a bug and sand-free drink. You can also stick cupcake cases under ice lollies to avoid messy fingers (a great picnic hack for both children and adults).

A young boy runs on the sand as the waves chase him in

6. Come prepared - If it’s a fuss-free picnic you’re looking for, we suggest you pack individual lunch boxes for the children, so there’s no room for arguments about who gets what. Bring separate picnic bags for the adults so you can group certain foods together. When you arrive at your picnic, you’ll instantly know where everything is, ready to tuck in at a moment's notice!

7. No wet blankets - There’s nothing like a cold and wet blanket to dampen your day. Opt for a practical water-resistant base, so there will be no soggy bottoms. We love these picnic blankets - they have a faux leather strap so they can be easily rolled up and carried around, excellent for taking on family beach days or coastal walks.

8. Get creative with food - We like to prepare everything food-wise the night before and write a little list of everything we need to take. Sandwiches cut into triangles are always a winner - some of our favourites include ham and cheese, cheese and pickle, mozzarella and tomato and classic egg mayonnaise. Pair with quiches, crisps, pies, scotch eggs, and fruit. Remember to pack plenty of drinks.

9. Tuck in and clean up - Make sure you have napkins on standby for those messy pups. Keep a rubbish bag close by so everyone can discard any litter and mess and remember to take this with you when you leave.

10. Have fun – Picnics are about spending time with our friends and family, so take a football, rounders, cricket kit, badminton set or even bodyboards. Mostly have fun and spend some quality time together.

Outdoor dining has never been this easy, and we hope these hacks have got you ready to lay down your blanket and enjoy a great British beach picnic.