What do Britons pack for a picnic?
There’s nothing like an outdoor picnic in the summer even when the unpredictable British weather can make outdoor activities a bit of a gamble.
According to a recent YouGov survey of British adults, 17% of Britons have already enjoyed a picnic this year and are planning more, while 33% haven't had one yet but intend to.
What are Britons packing for their picnics?
Savoury classics dominate British picnic baskets. Sandwiches and wraps are the top choice for 90% of Britons, with 61% expressing a strong preference for them and 30% liking them moderately. Crisps and fruits are also widely popular, each favoured by 87% of respondents. Additionally, juices (83%), cakes (82%), and a selection of cheeses (80%) are enjoyed by four-fifths of Britons.
Other picnic must-haves include salad (79%), a selection of meat (77%), biscuits (76%), chocolate (75%), sausage rolls (74%), pizza (71%) and pasta (70%).
Around two-thirds of picnickers (67%) like having nuts on hand, while 65% of Britons find joy in cocktail sausages. Scotch eggs, the classic picnic fare, and alcoholic beverages are both enjoyed by 58% of picnickers. More savoury options like pork pies (56%), chicken wings (53%), and vegetable dippers (53%) are all well-liked picnic finger foods.
Guacamole (47%), tzatziki (39%) and sushi (35%) are the least favoured foods with fewer than half of all Britons liking this at a picnic.
What puts Britons off picnics?
Despite their love for picnics, there are a few things that can put a damper on the experience. The unpredictable weather is the biggest concern (65%), but wasps and other insects are also a major turn-off for 60% of respondents.
Crowds and large groups of people are a concern for nearly a third (29%) of Britons, while 20% cite transporting food and drink to the picnic location as an issue. Social aspects can be challenging as well, with one in five (20%) finding too many dogs at the park problematic, and 18% considering packing up after the picnic a chore. Food messiness and difficulty finding a suitable park are concerns for 17% and 15% of Britons, respectively.
Explore our living data – for free
Discover more FMCG content here
Want to run your own research? Run a survey now
Make smarter business decisions with better intelligence. Understand exactly what your audience is thinking by leveraging our panel of 26 million+ members. Speak with us today.
Methodology: YouGov Surveys: Serviced provides quick survey results from nationally representative or targeted audiences in multiple markets. This study was conducted online on June 11-12, 2024, with a nationally representative sample of 2,114 adults in Great Britain (aged 18+ years), using a questionnaire designed by YouGov. Data figures have been weighted by age, gender, education, social grade and region to be representative of all adults. Learn more about YouGov Surveys: Serviced.
Image: Getty Images