How to have the perfect beach picnic

Summer is just a whisper away and with overseas travel still looking slightly dubious, why not scoop up the family and head for the coast. Whilst the UK is not necessarily well known for its consistently good summer weather, it does have a beautiful and varied coastline, picturesque beaches, along with lovely villages and towns. There are a multitude of charming coastal communities just waiting to be discovered.

There are some stunning shorelines in the north of the UK such as St Bees in Cumbria, Scarborough and Filey Brigg in North Yorkshire. In the south you could literally travel along the coastline from Sennen Cove in Cornwall, through to the inauspiciously named Blackpool Sands in South Devon, via the stunning Jurassic coast’s Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove to beautiful Sandbanks near Bournemouth. If you fancy a quick ferry trip, jump across the Solent and explore the Isle of Wight, it’s like Devon, but more compact and definitely worth a good look.

A little further along the coast in an easterly direction, we have West Wittering beach near Chichester which is total sand heaven! For those that like it lively, try out cosmopolitan Brighton, which has an extensive shingle beach, with lots to do for all ages in the city and surrounding area. Definitely check out the world famous Brighton Pier and the British Airways i360 viewing tower.

On the south east coast of England, we have beautiful and historic Hastings and Rye with Camber Sands next door, the hint is in the name! In North Kent, there is picturesque Whitstable, a historic village and small fishing port with a world class fish and chips shop. On the far easterly point of Kent there is Broadstairs which has a fabulous sandy beach and Margate, next door, the home of the famous landscape painter J. M. W. Turner. While you’re there, catch up on some culture and pay a visit to the Turner Contemporary gallery, definitely work a peek!

Having now given you a little overview of some English coastal ‘must sees’ you can now select the perfect spot for your picnic at the beach. If you are looking for a sandy beach so the children can build sandcastles, there are plenty to choose from, but sand does come with its downside and tends to get everywhere, especially if its windy. Shingle beaches are easier in that respect but can be a bit lumpy to sit on, solution, take a good quality picnic blanket rug!

Next, organise your picnic experience and what to take. Firstly, you need a good quality, well specified, fully fitted picnic basket hamper to transport all those delicious nibbles and treats and keep the food and drinks cool in an integral zipped cooler bag. 

If you really want to relax in style then try a TiiPii floating day bed which can be hung on a sturdy tree branch or suspended it from its easily assembled TiiPii stand.

For those who don't think they'll be able to beat the rush for a space on the TiiPii bed, then don’t forget to bring some comfy folding hardwood deckchairs seats. We even have some themed designs especially for the beach!

To keep the smaller people happy, why not put up a themed children’s playhouse tent cottage to encourage them to use their imagination, there is a wide selection of cottage themes for both boys and girls including the appropriately named ‘Beach House’ cottage shown here.

These beautifully made, fold up playhouse cottages are easily transportable in their own handy canvas carry bag and are quick and easy to erect. They have lots for matching themed accessories, like rugs and toy bags, handy for buckets and spades! While the children are busy entertaining themselves, the adults can enjoy some of their favourite tunes on their portable Bluetooth speakers and even take a selfie or two, while relaxing on the beach.

Let’s not forget our four-legged friends too, who like nothing more than an energetic beach walk and like their owners, enjoy a paddle and splash in the sea. When it’s time to pack up and head home you can wrap your seawater encrusted canine in an highly absorbent, cotton towelling dog drying coat to keep them warm and dry, and your car clean too!