As soon as there’s a little sun, we’re ready to head outside and sit on the floor eating miniature food from plastic crockery. Aside from the food, the most essential item is a blanket. Whether you want a large and luxurious rug to fit all your friends on or a smaller wipe-clean one for kids, we’ve compared each blanket on size, whether it is waterproof, value for money and how easy it is to pack away, carry and clean.
The blankets we’ve chosen range from traditional, luxurious wool ones with fringing to super-practical, kid-friendly wipe-clean options. Most of these have waterproof backings and all come either with carry harnesses you can secure to backpacks or bicycles. All these will ensure you’re picnic-ready when the sun comes out.
1. Atlantic Blankets British wool picnic blanket: £110, Not On The High Street
This Cornish brand uses soft British wool for its luxurious-feeling blankets. This has slim, dark brown leather straps, traditional contrasting cream fringing and a waterproof backing, which is neatly hidden when rolled up. It’s large at 150cm x 183cm, but rolls up into a nice bundle that can be strapped to a bicycle or bag if you’re heading out for the day. It comes in five colours – blue, light pink, grey and yellow and blue and green tartan – but we think the buttercup yellow is perfect for summer.
2. Shell blanket: £29.95, Joules
With its white and navy shell print and contrasting orange edging, just looking at this rug makes us think of summer days in the park. It’s thick enough to use on damp grass and sand can be easily shaken off as it's 100 per cent polyester, while its folds up quickly and is fastened with a simple strap. It will fit a family of four and a picnic, and there’s a large handle to carry it when you’re carting everything from the car. It also comes in a grey and pink floral pattern.
3. Extra-large polka dot blanket: £39.50, Just a Joy
Based in the Chiltern Hills, this outdoor blanket specialist’s polka dot number comes in its own bag, making it easy to carry as it just slings over your shoulder and is flat enough to fit comfortably under your arm. At 180cm x 140cm, it is a great one for getting the children to all sit in one place or for larger groups. It’s made from 100 per cent cotton and has a waterproof backing so you won’t get soggy and it can even be machine washed. Also comes in pink.
4. ‘Dovecote’ floral picnic blanket: £19.50, Marks and Spencer
This vintage-inspired floral blanket from M&S is extremely compact. It rolls up neatly so it can be carried in beach bags or attached to the outside of a backpack via the little looped fastening, or you can carry it by hand. The pale pastel print has matching items in the same pattern, including a cool bag. Made from polyester, it’s wipe-clean and has a waterproof bottom, but it is a little heavier than some of the others.
5. Picnic blanket in a bag: £19.99, Steamer Trading Cookshop
Nautical stripes never get old, especially when they’re navy blue and white, so you’ll certainly look the part at the beach with this one. It has a soft fleece upper a waterproof bottom and rolls up into the cylindrical canvas bag that protects it and closes with a drawstring top and has one adjustable strap to easily carry it. It’s small and compact at 135cm x 150cm, making it a good option to keep in the car in case of an impromptu picnic for two.
6. Watermelon beach blanket: £18, Matalan
Matalan’s colourful watermelon print circular blanket is just the ticket for lounging around on sunny days for sunbathing and picnicking on the beach or park where you’ll be the envy of all other park goers – just make sure the ground’s not damp first as there’s no waterproof backing. At 140cm diameter, it’s more suited for just one person. It’s 100 per cent cotton, machine washable and rolls up into a carry harness too.
7. Picnic rug: £70, Fortnum and Mason
Showing off the brand’s classic colours in tartan form – duck-egg blue and caramel brown – the wool and polyester mix is nice and soft to sit on and looks very sophisticated with its smart brown leather straps and chunky brass buckles. It’s both attractive and practical with its waterproof bottom and it’s larger than many on the list, so it’s ideal for group gatherings. Match it with a Fortnum’s hamper for the quintessential picnicking look.
8. ‘The Basics’ picnic rug: £8, John Lewis
This simple navy rug is great value from John Lewis’s “The Basics” range, and does exactly what it says on the tin: an affordable waterproof rug to use for picnics or outdoor activities. It’s light and the soft, comfy fleece upper and polyester underside means you can use it in the park or your garden. At 135cm square, it’s a little smaller than the others, so is best for one or two people. It rolls up and is secured with attractive, nautical-themed straps, complete with a little handle.
9. The Vintage Collection Company waterproof canvas picnic rug: £95, Not On The High Street
This completely waterproof picnic rug is wipe clean, making it a good option if you've got young children who might get sticky fingers everywhere. Its classic leather straps and statement four colours – pink, grey, blue and green – make it an attractive addition to your picnicking kit. It’s large, at 180cm x 120cm, and is on the heavier side too, so you don’t want to be carrying it too far, and it might be better suited to your garden.
10. Sunnylife beach and picnic blanket: £53, Amara
Australian brand Sunnylife’s Havana blanket in pink, green and yellow hues inspired by the Cuban capital is easy to spot on the beach. The polyester top means sand can be easily shaken off and the waterproof bottom makes if suitable for slightly damp ground too. At 140cm x 175cm, it’s large enough for a few children or a couple of adults and easily folds away into a book-shaped bag that can be zipped up and carried over one shoulder. There’s also a purple, Tetris-like pattern or a more muted navy one.
The Verdict
For something classic and practical, the Atlantic blanket is so pretty and combines British-made wool with and waterproofing, while the handy and attractive harness makes it sophisticated-looking too.
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