Summer picnic sets that leave their rivals in the shade

Dine al fresco in style for National Picnic Week with stylish picnic blankets, cutlery and baskets

Summer in style: brighten up picnics with the right accessories

National Picnic Week, which begins tomorrow, is a good excuse to dine al fresco. Joules has just launched a four-person floral picnic bag for £59.95. Accessories include napkins, salt and pepper shakers, cutlery, plates and plastic wine glasses. Matching chairs, blankets and cool bags in signature Joules prints are also available (joules.com).

Lexington's outdoor cushions (£65) or nautical napkins (from £10; lexingtoncompany.com) evoke a seaside spirit, while Ferm Living's hexagon bottle opener (£27) or brass salad servers (£40) bring a chic Scandi look to the table (ifeelsmug.com). For an ethical option, check out Green Tulip's bamboo utensils (from £6, notonthehighstreet.com).

Joules picnic bag

Retro fans might like the bold prints and old-school vibes of John Lewis's House picnicware range. A set of four plain tumblers, dinner plates or bowls (£10 per set) livens up the essentials or the mint-coloured coolbox (£40, johnlewis.com) will chill snacks and drinks.

Anorak's Woodland Leaves picnic blanket is waterproof-backed, lightweight and machine washable. They also roll away into adjustable carry handles (£36, anorakonline.co.uk). The Acapulco picnic blanket by Oliver Bonas (£45, oliverbonas.com) folds neatly away into its own bag with handles, and the zig-zag print is eye-catching.

The Despicable Me minions three-piece dinner set is made for young picnickers (£10, debenhams.com), while grown-ups may appreciate Ben de Lisi's "Is It Friday Yet" travel mug (£10, debenhams.com).

To heat things up, Habitat's Bodum stainless steel picnic charcoal BBQ is small and portable (£35, habitat.co.uk) and a marshmallow toasting kit (£14.75, notonthehighstreet.com) may be useful.

Then sit back and relax on a Lafuma Maxi Transat deckchair in orange or green (£65, johnlewis.com), Ikea's Brommo black and brown lounger (£40, ikea.com) or the floral Maui deckchair from Homebase (£50, homebase.co.uk).

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