London


<p>When the sun shines London&#8217;s restaurants with al freso dining are in hot demand, which is why our thoughts turn to picnics in parks as a pleasant alternative &#8211; relaxed, acres of space, BYO booze, what&#8217;s not to love? </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="613" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/07/Screenshot-2025-07-09-at-16.24.22-1024x613.png" alt="" class="wp-image-12476" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/07/Screenshot-2025-07-09-at-16.24.22-1024x613.png 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/07/Screenshot-2025-07-09-at-16.24.22-300x180.png 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/07/Screenshot-2025-07-09-at-16.24.22-768x460.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/07/Screenshot-2025-07-09-at-16.24.22.png 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Honey &amp; Co. Studio, Lambs Conduit Street</figcaption></figure>



<p>So when one of our favourite London delis, <a href="https://honeyandco.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Honey &amp; Co</a>, announced it&#8217;s launching a picnic service for the summer, with three Picnic in the Park hamper options, we just had to try one.  </p>



<p>Although tempted by the Picnic in the Park (£50 for two) and Vegan Picnic in the Park (£65 for two), Muddy couldn&#8217;t resist the sound of the Fancy Picnic (£80 for two), which we arranged to pick up from its Bloomsbury store on Lambs Conduit Street, though there are four more branches across W1 if you need to find a closer location. </p>



<p>Collection was simple &#8211; a large brown cardboard box was handed over along with wooden cutlery and napkins, and so Muddy trotted off to meet a couple of friends for a post-work scoff and goss in the sunshine. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="751" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/07/Screenshot-2025-07-09-at-16.17.33-1024x751.png" alt="" class="wp-image-12468" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/07/Screenshot-2025-07-09-at-16.17.33-1024x751.png 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/07/Screenshot-2025-07-09-at-16.17.33-300x220.png 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/07/Screenshot-2025-07-09-at-16.17.33-768x563.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/07/Screenshot-2025-07-09-at-16.17.33.png 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Picnicking in Green Park </figcaption></figure>



<p><a href="https://www.royalparks.org.uk/visit/parks/green-park" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Green Park</a>, off Piccadilly, turned out to be a choice spot, with plenty of grass to lay out on, a scattering of deckchairs and dozens of other picnickers with the same idea to provide a bit of a buzz. It felt like an idyllic way to spend a summer&#8217;s evening in London as we unfurled tightly rolled picnic blankets from our bags, opened the box and laid out the Middle Eastern-inspired goodies. </p>



<p>The Fancy Picnic is supposed to be for two people, and initially we thought there might not be quite enough for three. However we were wrong, there was<em> a lot </em>of food. Once everything was laid out, we opened a bottle of chilled rosé (bought at Marks &amp; Spencer next to Green Park tube station) and shared pots of vegetable crudités, olives and pickles and dipped crispy pittas and chunks of sesame breadsticks in baba ganoush and a cool yogurt dip. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="771" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/07/thumbnail_PXL_20250703_165940926-1024x771.jpg" alt="Honey &amp; Co Picnic " class="wp-image-12469" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/07/thumbnail_PXL_20250703_165940926-1024x771.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/07/thumbnail_PXL_20250703_165940926-300x226.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/07/thumbnail_PXL_20250703_165940926-768x578.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/07/thumbnail_PXL_20250703_165940926.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>Mains were plentiful and delicious, including a highlight roasted chicken and tabuleh salad dotted with jewels of pomegranate, a nourishing aubergine, cabbage and tahini salad and filling vegetable and herb frittata. For dessert, we devoured handmade chocolate and pecan and marzipan cookies and sweet and sticky fruit frangipane. A seasonal pot of fruit, jar of roasted nuts and bag of Superbon chilli crisps weren&#8217;t even touched, so came back to Muddy&#8217;s house for future snacking. </p>



<p><strong>Verdict:</strong> This is an effortless picnic, perfect for picking up and dining in parks, at the open air theatre in Regent&#8217;s Park or taking to a concert or festival this summer. It&#8217;s light enough to carry around Central London (delivery&#8217;s also available) and would appeal to most tastes, though if you&#8217;re gluten intolerant, like one of Muddy&#8217;s party, bear in mind the bread and cookies aren&#8217;t gluten-free. To order (24 hours notice required) email&nbsp;<a href="mailto:catering@honeyandco.co.uk">catering@honeyandco.co.uk</a>. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-london-s-best-places-to-picnic">London&#8217;s best places to picnic </h2>



<p>Ok you&#8217;ve got the picky bits, now where to scoff them? Here are our favourite spots for feasting al fresco in the capital. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-kew-gardens-kew"><a href="https://www.kew.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kew Gardens</a>, Kew</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="631" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/07/Screenshot-2025-07-09-at-14.16.01-1024x631.png" alt="Kew Gardens " class="wp-image-12448" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/07/Screenshot-2025-07-09-at-14.16.01-1024x631.png 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/07/Screenshot-2025-07-09-at-14.16.01-300x185.png 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/07/Screenshot-2025-07-09-at-14.16.01-768x474.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/07/Screenshot-2025-07-09-at-14.16.01.png 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Of the Oak at Kew Gardens. Image © Sandra Ciampone</figcaption></figure>



<p>Manicured lawns, cool woodlands and flowers galore make these botanical gardens a picturesque spot for picnicking &#8211; there are even picnic benches provided in the grounds, so you can travel light. Don&#8217;t miss <a href="https://www.kew.org/kew-gardens/whats-on/of-the-oak">Of the Oak</a>, a unique immersive art installation while you&#8217;re there (runs until 28 Sept). </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-st-dunstan-in-the-east-church-garden-city-of-london"><strong><a href="https://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/things-to-do/city-gardens/find-a-garden/st-dunstan-in-the-east-church-garden">St Dunstan in the East Church Garden</a></strong>, City of London </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="560" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/04/Screenshot-2024-09-25-at-12.16.17-1024x560.png" alt="St Dunstan in the East Church Garden " class="wp-image-10520" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/04/Screenshot-2024-09-25-at-12.16.17-1024x560.png 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/04/Screenshot-2024-09-25-at-12.16.17-300x164.png 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/04/Screenshot-2024-09-25-at-12.16.17-768x420.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/04/Screenshot-2024-09-25-at-12.16.17.png 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>Tucked away in the heart of the City, St Dunstan in the East Church Garden is an enchanting hideaway, where nature and history collide. Set within the romantic ruins of a Wren church, it feels a bit like stepping into a movie set—complete with draping greenery, fountain and cosy benches. Perfect for a picnic date. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-hill-garden-amp-pergola-hampstead"><a href="https://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/things-to-do/green-spaces/hampstead-heath/where-to-go-at-hampstead-heath/hill-garden-and-pergola" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Hill Garden &amp; Pergola</a>, Hampstead </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/04/ben-tovee-ne1n2hIhw5I-unsplash-1024x683.jpg" alt="Hamstead Hill Garden &amp; Pergola " class="wp-image-10527" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/04/ben-tovee-ne1n2hIhw5I-unsplash-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/04/ben-tovee-ne1n2hIhw5I-unsplash-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/04/ben-tovee-ne1n2hIhw5I-unsplash-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/04/ben-tovee-ne1n2hIhw5I-unsplash.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>One of the Hampstead Heath&#8217;s many hidden delights was the dream of William H Lever, a wealthy idealist with a love of architecture and landscape gardening. And thank goodness he splashed his cash, because the award-winning garden is stunning, including the Wisteria-clad Pergola and an elevated walkway with a tumble of plants. Picnic beside the ornamental pond for the perfect pocket of peace. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-primrose-hill-camden"><a href="https://www.royalparks.org.uk/visit/parks/regents-park-primrose-hill/primrose-hill" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Primrose Hill</a>, Camden </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="679" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/07/timur-valiev-WkyfavX8uc8-unsplash-1024x679.jpg" alt="Primrose Hill Unsplash " class="wp-image-12449" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/07/timur-valiev-WkyfavX8uc8-unsplash-1024x679.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/07/timur-valiev-WkyfavX8uc8-unsplash-300x199.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/07/timur-valiev-WkyfavX8uc8-unsplash-768x509.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/07/timur-valiev-WkyfavX8uc8-unsplash.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>Regent&#8217;s Park is a choice spot for a picnic, but nothing beats the view from the peak of Primrose Hill above it. Sit with sandwich in hand and gaze at the city skyline (and zoo) below and if you want some shade, eat your snacks beneath the large oak tree, known as Shakespeare&#8217;s Tree, which stands midway down the hill &#8211; it was originally planted in 1864 to mark the 300th anniversary of Shakespeare&#8217;s birth.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-alexandra-palace-park-muswell-hill"><a href="https://www.alexandrapalace.com/the-park/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Alexandra Palace Park</a>, Muswell Hill </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="768" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/07/bex-ghani-VdeGIVQV32A-unsplash-1024x768.jpg" alt="Alexandra Palace Park " class="wp-image-12451" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/07/bex-ghani-VdeGIVQV32A-unsplash-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/07/bex-ghani-VdeGIVQV32A-unsplash-300x225.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/07/bex-ghani-VdeGIVQV32A-unsplash-768x576.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/07/bex-ghani-VdeGIVQV32A-unsplash.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>Most Londoner&#8217;s have visited Ally Pally at some stage, whether it&#8217;s for the ice rink, GoApe or a concert, however it&#8217;s the gorgeous gardens and acres of parkland we&#8217;re interested in for a picnic. Give your thighs a work out and make your way to the top of the hill for the ultimate dining spot with a view &#8211; there&#8217;s an Ally Pally Farmer&#8217;s Market on a Sunday if you want to pick up some more pieces for your picnic. </p>


Perfect London picnics (and where to eat them)

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