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5 Must-Haves For The Ultimate Afternoon Tea Picnicscape
All this talk of summer celebrations and long weekends has got us firmly in the mood to dine alfresco, and there’s nothing that screams 'main character energy' more than creating the ultimate Afternoon Tea picnicscape.
Now, what is a picnicscape you might ask? Much like the phrase ‘tablescape’, where you create a stylish table setting to get your guests talking, ‘picnicscape’ is just that…but outside.
It’s all about elevating the alfresco dining experience and making it even more picturesque. Less paper plates and more beautiful vintage crockery, shall we say.
So, what are the summer must-haves for creating the perfect picnicscape?
When it comes to creating your picnicscape, location is key. Your surroundings need to be as elevated as your glassware (did we mention no plastic glasses allowed?), so choose somewhere relaxing to lay your blanket for the afternoon. If you’re in the capital, there are a wealth of London picnic spots to choose from, including Richmond Park and Kew Gardens, but take some time to discover beautiful parks nearby to where you live. If you are blessed with garden space, why not use the upcoming long weekend to spruce the space up a little just in time for a Jubilee Afternoon Tea picnicscape.
Picnic Basket
The ultimate picnicscape calls for much more than carrier bag transportation - we’re talking about a handwoven picnic basket, created from 'ronier' palm leaves. Now that’s an elevation! Handcrafted by our team of expert artisans in Senegal, this sturdy and spacious basket is designed to be filled with delicious treats, and has a strong handle to make it easy to carry to your favourite spot. Available now in natural, yellow or green. Pre-order for end June delivery (£59.99).
Afternoon Tea Essentials
It’s time to bring Afternoon Tea outside, celebrating with delicious ingredients to enjoy with friends. So what are our afternoon tea essentials that make up the perfect picnicscape?
1. Afternoon Tea wouldn’t be Afternoon Tea without…the tea…would it, so welcome guests with a range of flavours from peppermint to Earl, fruit tea and of course, a good old British brew. And while a flask of hot water is certainly practical, why not pour into a teapot when you arrive to amp up that main character energy?
2. Finger sandwiches are the *chefs kiss* of an alfresco Afternoon Tea, but why not swap the standard ham with combinations like crab and avocado, brie, grape and cranberry, or perhaps thinly sliced beef with horseradish.
3. Other savory ideas include deli sausage rolls, olives, hummus, crudites, tartlets, Spanish frittata, and bruschetta.
4. An Afternoon Tea isn’t complete without a range of sweet bites, including the classic British combination of a fruit scone, clotted cream, and a large dollop of strawberry preserve on there too. Now, the age old question is, do we put cream or jam on there first? Here at La Basketry we’re firmly in the ‘cream first, jam second’ camp! 
Don’t Forget The Little Touches
It’s the finer details that really take this picnicscape from grabbing a snack, to a Vogue Home editorial spread. Those little touches include a beautiful blanket (we love our Tartan Blanket Co. one), fresh flowers in a small vase, your favourite crockery, cutlery and glassware - the more stylishly-mismatched the better, serving plates, deckchairs to sit in, and an outfit that blends comfort and summer in one. Remember, we’re taking the inside out, so think about how you’d set your table at home and see what elements you can bring alfresco.
Good Company
Now, while we’d say scones are the most important element of a successful Afternoon Tea, we think our friends might disagree. So the final part of creating the perfect picnicscape is the company you invite to enjoy it with. Grab your friends, speakers for a little gentle music playing in the background, maybe a glass of fizz and a fresh raspberry inside for everyone’s arrival, and soak up those summer rays as you bask in your main character energy.
Are you planning on creating your own picnicscape this summer? What would you add to your perfect Afternoon Tea? If you're looking for picnic inspiration, you can check out our Pinterest board right here and don’t forget to tag us in any picnic pictures over on Instagram at @Labasketry.