Dr Mobeus
Why Picnics Are the Smartest Way to Eat Out This Summer
Taking the family out for a meal in 2026 is not cheap. A basic pub lunch for four can easily hit £60, and that is before anyone wants pudding. A summer picnic changes all of that. You get fresh air, the kids can run around, and you control exactly what you spend.
The trick is not to fall into the “just grab something from M&S” trap. That is how a picnic ends up costing £40 before you have left the car park. With a bit of planning and some clever swaps, you can feed six people a genuinely lovely picnic for under £15. Here is exactly how.
The £15 Shopping List
All prices are based on current UK supermarket prices (Aldi/Lidl where possible, with a couple of strategic extras from larger stores). This feeds six people with plenty of food.
Sandwich Fillings and Bread
- 2 loaves of bakery bread (white or wholemeal, 800g) – £1.40 (70p each at Aldi)
- 1 pack ham (200g, cooked ham slices) – £1.50
- 1 block cheese (350g, mild cheddar) – £2.25
- 1 jar pickle (Branston or own-brand, 340g) – £1.10
- 1 tub soft cheese (own-brand cream cheese, 200g) – £0.75
Subtotal: £7.00
That gives you two types of sandwich: ham and cheese with pickle, and cheese and soft cheese. Six people get at least two rounds of sandwiches each with bread left over. If you want a third option, swap the soft cheese for a tin of tuna at 65p.
Sides and Snacks
- 1 bag carrots (1kg) – £0.55
- 1 bag crisps (multipack of 6, own-brand) – £0.85
- 1 tub coleslaw (own-brand, 300g) – £0.65
- 1 punnet cherry tomatoes (250g) – £0.95
Subtotal: £3.00
Carrot sticks and cherry tomatoes are much cheaper than pre-packaged vegetable crudités and taste exactly the same. The coleslaw adds creaminess to the sandwiches too.
Pudding and Drinks
- 1 pack biscuits (own-brand chocolate digestifs, 300g) – £0.75
- 2 litres squash (own-brand, double strength) – £0.75
- 1 punnet strawberries (400g, in season) – £1.50
Subtotal: £3.00
Strawberries in June and July are genuinely cheap in the UK – Aldi and Lidl regularly have 400g punnets for £1.29 to £1.50. Out of season, swap for a pack of own-brand biscuits at 50p and you are still well under budget.
Drinks: Make Your Own
Do not buy bottled drinks. A 2-litre bottle of own-brand squash makes 20 litres of drink for 75p. Fill reusable bottles from home. Six litres of squash (three 2-litre bottles filled at half-strength) costs about 22p. Yes, twenty-two pence. Add ice from your freezer and it tastes better than anything you would buy.
The Grand Total
Sandwiches: £7.00 | Sides: £3.00 | Pudding and drinks: £3.00 | Total: £13.00
That is £2.17 per person for a full picnic with sandwiches, sides, pudding and drinks. You are £2 under budget already.
Use the spare £2 for a tub of own-brand hummus (95p) and a bag of pitta breads (85p) if you want an extra dip option.
How to Make It Taste Better Than the Shop-Bought Version
The Bread Matters
Supermarket bakery bread at 70p a loaf is infinitely better than the 50p sliced pan bread for sandwiches. It is crustier, fresher and holds up better in a picnic. Cut thick slices and people will notice the difference. You can also get a granary loaf for around £1 at most supermarkets, which feels more “special” without costing much more.
Make Your Own Quick Pickle Relish
If you have 10 minutes the night before, finely chop half a small onion, mix with a tablespoon of brown sauce and a dash of vinegar. It sounds odd but it is a genuinely excellent sandwich relish that costs about 5p per serving.
Season Your Sandwiches
A pinch of salt and a crack of black pepper on cheese sandwiches costs nothing but makes them taste twice as good. A smear of mustard on ham sandwiches transforms them from “fine” to “actually really good”. A jar of English mustard costs £1 and lasts for months.
What Not to Bring (and What to Bring Instead)
Skip the Pre-Made Picnic Platters
M&S, Waitrose and Tesco all sell “picnic platters” for £8-15. They look lovely but they are terrible value. You get a handful of sliced meats, a bit of cheese, some crackers and a pot of chutney. For the same money you can buy all the ingredients separately and feed twice as many people.
Skip the Individual Drinks
Six bottles of juice or fizzy drinks at £1.20 each is £7.20. Two litres of squash plus reusable bottles is under £1. Save the £6.20 for ice cream at your destination instead.
Skip Disposable Plates and Cutlery
Paper plates and plastic forks cost £2-3 and create waste. Bring real plates and cutlery from home. Wrap them in tea towels, which double as a picnic blanket. It takes two minutes to wash up when you get back.
Bring a Proper Cool Bag
If you already own a cool bag, use it. If not, a freezer bag inside a canvas tote works fine. Freeze a water bottle the night before and put it in with the food. It keeps everything cold and you have cold drinking water when it thaws.
Great Free Picnic Spots in the UK
A picnic is only a bargain if you are not paying £15 to park or £10 entry to a “picnic field”. Here are genuinely free places to picnic across the UK:
- London: Hampstead Heath, Primrose Hill, Greenwich Park (all free, stunning views)
- Manchester: Fletcher Moss Park, Chorlton Water Park, Heaton Park (free parking at Heaton)
- Edinburgh: Arthur’s Seat, The Meadows, Cramond Beach
- Bristol: Clifton Downs, Leigh Woods, Brandon Hill
- Birmingham: Cannon Hill Park, Lickey Hills Country Park
- Leeds: Roundhay Park, Golden Acre Park, Meanwood Valley Trail
- National Parks: Most countryside access is free under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act – park in lay-bys for free rather than official car parks
Check your local council website too. Many councils list free parks and green spaces with facilities like toilets and water fountains, which makes a big difference with kids.
Plan for the Weather
British summer being what it is, have a backup plan. If it rains, the same £15 picnic works perfectly as an indoor living room picnic. Spread a blanket on the floor, open the windows and let the kids choose the playlist. It sounds daft but children genuinely love indoor picnics – something about eating on the floor feels like an adventure.
If it is hot, freeze your drinks bottles the night before. They double as ice packs and you will have ice-cold drinks by lunchtime.
The Real Savings Add Up
A family of four eating at a pub once a week through summer (June to August, roughly 12 weeks) at £60 a time spends £720. The same family doing a weekly picnic at £15 spends £180. That is a saving of £540 over one summer.
Even if you only swap half your eating-out occasions for picnics, you still save £270. And the food is often better – you made it yourself, you know what is in it, and the kids actually eat it because they chose the fillings.
For more ways to cut your food costs, check out our guide on how to save money on your weekly shop without changing supermarkets and our 30 ways to save money on your food shop.
