Where to get... a good picnic

Freshampers has the English picnic to a tee. The company delivers within 100 miles of London and provides plates, glasses, cutlery, napkins and a tablecloth, as well as bin bags to tidy up. There are five different menus, with dishes such as smoked duck, quails eggs, smoked salmon blinis and chocolate brownies and strawberries. Prices are from £16.95 and £37.95 a head. Drinks are extra, but reasonable, with Champagne from £22.95 and wine from £12.95 a bottle. www.freshampers.com

Shish specialises in healthy Eastern food. It offers two picnic boxes designed for two, containing cutlery, cups and napkins. The “light bites” hamper (£12.50) contains a choice of four cold mezze dishes, a bread basket and two drinks. For more hearty fare, the deluxe hamper (£19.50) includes an extra choice of two main meals from Shish’s selection of wraps and summer salads. You can supplement your picnic with a bottle of chilled rose wine for an extra £5. www.shish.com

 Villandry does hampers for two or 200 and will make up any sort of themed hamper you fancy. Its hampers—aptly named Ascot, Lord’s, Wimbledon and Millennium Gate—can be delivered around the London area and are charged by postcode. Prices start at £25 and include starter, main course, dessert, crisps and a cheese platter. Choices include salami with caprese salad, roast beef, mushroom and tarragon mayonnaise and summer pudding with chantilly cream. Champagne and sparkling wine can be ordered from £10.95 a bottle and wine from £6.95. www.villandry.com

For an Italian feast, head to Carluccio’s which does three different picnic boxes from £30 to £50 to feed at least two people. Each picnic includes an array of Italian dishes including asparagus with a lemon mayonnaise, chicken liver pate with toasted ciabatta, tuna fishcakes, vanilla panna cotta with raspberry sauce, gorgonzola cheese and grapes. A bottle of Sicilian wine is included in the price along with cutlery, cups and napkins. In addition, the Neal Street shop offers a gourmet picnic for £70 and can make up bespoke versions to meet your needs. www.carluccios.com

Picnics from Inn the Park, in the heart of St James’ Park, start at just £10. The Grab & Go lunchbox is perfect for an unplanned alfresco bite. Choices include Scottish salmon tartare and mini toasts, ham hock terrine with mixed leaves, or sandwiches such as Welsh roast beef with horseradish and Scottish crab mayonnaise. Deserts include a mini Victoria sponge cake or baked custard tart. The gourmet and deluxe hampers come complete with rug, cutlery, crockery and glassware. The £25 hamper includes a bottle of Chardonnay, while the £45 hamper includes a bottle of Tattinger Champagne. www.innthepark.com