Carparison's guide to the ultimate car picnic

It’s officially picnic season: Here are some of our essentials and top tips.

The sun has finally taken pole position, the clouds have pulled into the pits, and dodging those sudden British downpours is less of an extreme sport.

We all know what that means. It's picnic time.

Well, a car picnic to be precise – because we're all about that automotive lifestyle here at Carparison.

We've revved up our research engines and surveyed the entire Carparison HQ crew for their top tips and essential snacks they'd pack for the perfect outdoor feast.

Consider this your roadmap to picnic excellence.

So, pack up your boot with all the essentials, set your navigation to the perfect location, and drive off into the sunshine to enjoy your five-star-rated picnic experience.

Essential snacks: Fuelling your next picnic adventure

We'll admit, nearly all the replies we received were food-related. Can you tell we love our grub here at Carparison HQ?

We aren't just experts at finding you the perfect lease deal, you see.

We've got plenty of horsepower when it comes to recommending our favourite snacks and treats for the ultimate picnic experience.

The staples: Your picnic foundation

Starting us off, we have an absolute cornerstone of British picnic culture: the humble mini sausage rolls and cocktail sausages.

They're like the reliable family hatchback of picnic foods – practical, universally loved, and always dependable.

For some reason, when it comes to picnics, we Brits have a peculiar fondness for miniaturised food.

The upside? You can pack even more delicious treats in your bag.

Next up we have the somewhat vague but ever-impressive category of 'anything homemade.'

Whether it's a freshly baked quiche, savoury scones, or even a flask of homemade soup (for those less-than-summery British summer days), these personal creations add a touch of soul to your picnic.

The snacks: Your picnic’s supporting cast

Now for the supporting cast – the snacky bits that keep the picnic energy levels topped up.

Lentil crisps, Pringles, or any other crisps that tickle your fancy are essential for that satisfying crunch factor.

Pair them with some hummus (red pepper hummus gets the Carparison seal of approval) or sour cream and chive dip, and you've engineered the perfect snacking combo.

While we're talking about dips, don't forget to pack some cucumber sticks, carrot batons, and anything else you like to dunk.

They're the hybrid option of the picnic world – part healthy, part indulgent.

A punnet of your favourite berries or grapes makes for refreshing, juicy snacking.

Or why choose just one? Bring along both strawberries and raspberries. They're healthy fuel for your picnic adventures, after all.

Feeling fancy? Why not pack some hardboiled quails eggs tipped in salt?

Smaller egg, less shell, it's all about efficiency.

And once again, mini foods in a picnic make room for more snacks. It's like optimising your boot space, but for your stomach.

The sweet treats: Premium picnic pleasures

A sweet treat is non-negotiable. You deserve it after all that careful picnic preparation!

And possibly our favourite reply of them all explains our choice of sweet treats: "MR KIPLINGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG!!!!"

As you can tell, our Lauren has a slight enthusiasm for Mr Kipling's sweet creations.

Specifically, Fondant Fancies and Lemon Slices have earned top billing in her picnic.

Up next... chocolate mini rolls. But not just any chocolate mini rolls – we're talking about the ones that come in a tub, from the likes of M&S. These are absolutely next level.

Why not browse their other treats in tubs while you're at it? Cornflake clusters, anyone?

Car picnic top tips and tricks

From keeping your food cool to keeping the sand off your blanket at a beach, we have some tips to make your picnic elite.

Keeping your food cool

No one wants warm hummus or a wilted salad.

Investing in a good cool bag (or box) will definitely serve you well in the long run.

That old cheap bag you have to fill up with ice, but then it leaks all over your bounty of food? No one wants that.

Keeping the sand off at a beach

Is the beach your chosen location for a picnic?

If you pick a sandy beach, chances are that sand will find its way onto your blanket – and quite frankly, that's as welcome as grit in your gearbox.

Bring a tray that you can fill up with water.

Whenever someone wants to go on the blanket, they simply wash off their feet so they don't track sand everywhere.

It's like having your own little maintenance bay.

Park up and eat in the boot?

It might sound odd, but stay with us here. We're not talking about just any old boot.

We're talking about a pickup truck's load area – an open space where you can sit and still admire your surroundings.

It's like having a mobile viewing platform for nature's greatest hits.

Just bear in mind that the floor can be quite hard, so some blankets and cushions could be a good addition.

Comfort is key

Continuing with the theme of blankets and cushions in the pickup truck, why not bring them along on any picnic?

The British weather is notoriously unpredictable.

A sudden gust of wind and now you're cold? Not a problem when you've packed blankets – it's like having climate control for the great outdoors.

And who wants to sit on the hard ground? Especially when there are cushions available instead.

No more numb bums around here. It's all about that premium seating experience.

Add sauces when you need them

Don't add sauce when prepping. I repeat, DON'T add sauce when prepping.

No one wants a soggy salad. Bring the sauce in the bottle and have it at the ready for people to add when they need it.

That way you won't have to suffer with people saying it's too much sauce, or not enough.

Skip the cardboard plates

Cardboard disposable plates aren't very eco-friendly, and they're about as reliable as a 30-year-old car with no service history.

Got baked beans or anything saucy on the plate and it’ll go soggy and become useless.

All your amazing food falls straight to the floor. The heartbreak.

But don’t worry, enamel plates are here to save the day.

They’re light. They’re easy to pack and carry. They’re practical. They’re everything and more.

Plus, they’re so much better for the environment.

Bring bin bags

Take your rubbish home - you probably see the sign a lot. It’s a common one.

What this essentially means is don't litter.

In the summer, public bins overflow with rubbish from all the people going out and, well, using the bins.

Which is great they aren't littering. But as soon as that bin is full, some resort to littering.

Enter the trusty bin bag.

Prevent public bins from overflowing, or simply have as backup if you can't find an empty public bin. Being prepared means you won't be part of the problem. 

Wet wipes

We don't know about you, but we’re not a fan of paper napkins. They just don't clean effectively.

So, we think wet wipes deserve a special mention. They do the job, and they do it well.

A kid's face covered in BBQ sauce? Sticky situation, yes.

A paper napkin wishes it could clean that well.

Not only are wet wipes good for our hands (and faces), they can also wipe down surfaces.

Spillage? Not a problem for the trusty wet wipe.

Stopping your blanket from flying away in the wind

A sudden gust of wind in the unpredictable British weather and suddenly your blanket has whipped up and spilled any drinks left unattended. Not ideal.

Bringing something to weigh down your blanket could be just what you need. You can even buy blanket weights specifically designed for this common picnic problem.

Ready, steady, picnic!

Now you're armed with the knowledge of not only what to bring to a picnic, but how to take it to the next level and make it the best picnic ever.

Your picnic skills have just been upgraded from learner to expert driver status.

Next up, you just need to choose your destination and hit the road. Fortunately, we've got you covered there too.