With all this utterly gorgeous weather we’re having, picnic season is well and truly underway – who wants to eat indoors when the sun’s shining? Bath is surrounded by stunning countryside and the city itself is filled with beautiful parks and green spaces, so there are all sorts of lovely little spots to settle down under a tree with a delicious local feast. To help you put on the perfect picnic this summer, we’ve rounded up some of the most delicious goodies from the Taste of Bath online shop and a few other local favourites…
Of course, we had to start with a couple of the best picnic treats you can pick up from our own online shop. No summer feast would be complete without a few frosty drinks, so we’d recommend either Stoney Bonk, from Honey’s Midford Cider (an incredible combination of cider and ginger beer that’s supremely refreshing on a hot day), or perhaps a few really cold cans of Werrrd, the always-popular APA from local brewers Electric Bear. Non-beer-drinkers should also check out our new range of summery bottled cocktails, from Silver Swift – not only are they absolutely delicious, but they’re low in calories too, leaving you more room to tuck into the picnic food…
Speaking of which, let’s talk tucker. Bread & cheese is the ultimate ploughman’s combo, so pick up some Bath Soft Cheese, which is beautifully creamy and perfect for slathering on a fresh baguette – see below for our bakery recommendations. Get some In A Pickle Hot Date Chutney to dollop on top, and finally, be sure to grab some goodies from Somerset Charcuterie – their Red Wine & Blue Cheese Pokers are perfect for nibbling.
This is the perfect place to load up on a gorgeous loaf or two for any picnic – their sourdough is particularly popular (just make sure you get there first thing before all the good stuff sells out). Thoughtful Bread also sell some incredible sweet treats, including cakes, macarons and pastries, and if you happen to be popping in on a Thursday, look out for their very special doughnuts.
These chaps are champions of great local produce, and perfectly situated if you’re passing through Widcombe on your way to stroll along the canal and find a picnic spot. Their whole menu is available for takeaway, including an amazing salad bar and quiches, pies, lasagnes etc (all packed with lovely fresh local ingredients), so if you want to add something a little substantial to your picnic, Widcombe Deli is well worth a visit.
The Farmers’ Market, Green Park Station
If you’re planning a weekend picnic, then the Bath Farmers’ Market is the perfect place to start – swing by on a Saturday morning, grab your essentials and then head out. You’ll find a variety of different traders there every week, all selling the most amazing local produce, but a few of our favourites include Besley’s Strawberries (who, as you might guess, offer scrumptious Somerset strawberries), Lovett Pies (just as good cold as they are hot, so perfect for a picnic), and Keith Goverd’s wonderful English apple juice.
Wherever you’re heading for your picnic, don’t forget that we don’t just sell hampers – you can buy all of our delicious goodies separately from our online shop too (as well as making up the perfect picnic box with our Create Your Own hamper service – find out more here). Happy picnicking!
