It’s a great British tradition: packing up a feast to go, spreading out an old blanket on a beach or in a park somewhere and laying out a feast for a few (or many) to share. The ritual has become even more treasured in recent months, says Ellen Manning - and there’s one must-have item in the basket

RECIPE AND FOOD STYLING: JEN BEDLOE. PHOTOGRAPHS: MAJA SMEND. STYLING: OLIVIA WARDLE

Picnics evoke happy childhood memories, taking you back to the simple things in life

Once upon a time, going out for lunch was all about menus, tables, waiters and niceties like crockery, cutlery and napkins. Not in 2020. The combination of restaurant closures during lockdown, glorious weather and our embracing of food pleasures from home baking to farm shops saw many of us rediscovering the joy of the picnic.

What was once a rare treat or even just a memory from childhood took on new meaning - especially as we were all repeatedly reminded that it’s safer to gather outdoors than in. My husband and I regularly packed up treats in a backpack and disappeared for a few hours on a long walk to enjoy lunch ‘out’ - albeit on the ground - with pastry-covered goods, cold meats, salads and sarnies in Tupperware and drinks out of plastic cups.