A picnic can be whatever you want it to be - lavish or simple, full of music and mayhem or a peaceful getaway. Shopping for your perfect picnic is a piece of cake in Canterbury, with a huge choice of local food, drink and alfresco essentials.
Perfect Places to Picnic
Take your moveable feast to Westgate Gardens, The Franciscan Gardens or Solly’s Orchard in the city, or venture further afield to the coast. In Herne Bay, Memorial Park, Waltrop Gardens and Reculver Towers are lovely spots. In Whitstable, Tankerton Slopes and Duncan Down offer fabulous views.
Special Occasion Picnic
Anniversary coming up? Big birthday? Treat yourselves and order a filled hamper from M&S in Rose Square.
Add sumptuous slices of cake from Tiny' Tim's Tea Room in St Margaret's St, served on an exquisite cake stand from The Chinashop in Burgate for a luxury dessert.
Lay it all on a gorgeous Harris Tweed picnic blanket from Sowley in St Peter's and set the scene with 'Congratulations' bunting from Happy & Glorious.
Kids Birthday Picnic
Pizza is a picnic party pleaser - fuss-free and a fun way to share food.
Call ahead to Franco Manca on High St and they'll whip up a multiple order to go; head around the corner to Sumo Donuts in Palace St to collect super-cool doughnut desserts (they do big birthday doughnuts to orders too) and then on to T4 on the High Street to pick up a tasty bubble tea for each guest.
Work of the sugar hit with a game of Flying Disc from Whirligig Toys on Sun St.
Sustainable Picnic
Enjoy a planet-friendly picnic: go preloved, plastic-free and locally sourced.
The Refillery in Sun St sells Kentish food and drink from honey to cider. Corkk in Burgate specialises in fine English wines, many from local vineyards, and Paxton & Whitfield in Sun St offers a delicious variety of Kent cheeses.
Check Canterbury’s brilliant charity shops such as Age UK in St Peter’s St for picnic-friendly plates, mugs and rugs.
Old-fashioned Picnic
Transport yourself in time and create a glorious vintage picnic!
Select hot pasties and filled rolls from The Cornish Bakery in The Parade, then hop over to Bird & Blend in The Parade for delicious Rose Lemonade iced teas to go.
For a classic sweet treat, choose a scrumptious selection of crumbly fudge from Roly’s Fudge in Mercery Lane.
Lay it out on a gorgeous tartan fleece from Edinburgh Woollen Mill in Burgate to complete the scene!
Painting & Pints Picnic
Painting and picnics pair up perfectly.
You’ll find compact art sets, pocket pads and fold-up easels in Cowling & Wilcox. Pre-order sushi from Mister Miyagi in Orange St and pair it with a light beer from The Foundry BrewPub in Stour St - they’ll pour it in your own container for you (Chilly’s Bottles from Wrapped! in Burgate are great for this).
Mountain Warehouse in The Parade has folding chairs, mats and cool bags to pack everything in.
Teddy Bear’s Picnic
Pretend picnics are just as much fun as real ones, especially when you have hungry teddies and dolls to feed.
Little ones will love the beautiful tin tea set from The Elves & The Shoemaker in Burgate, perfect for hosting Benji Bear and his friends from Moo like A Monkey in Palace St.
Kids can make super-realistic food for the picnic at Smile Labo in Palace St, or dish out the lovely tactile play food available in Fenwick’s toy section.
