From the 17th-25th June is National Picnic Week. This is a time that encourages food awareness, connecting with nature and spending time with family and loved ones.

Going on a picnic, be it with friends or family, can often act as a break from the daily routine. It can allow you to appreciate the natural peace and beauty around you. A picnic can be done anywhere, even in your own home, and it doesn’t have to be raining outside to enjoy an indoor picnic if you just want to switch something up in your life.

History of the picnic

The term ‘Picnic’ is believed to be derived from French, rooted in the verb ‘Piquer’ and the noun ‘Nique’ during the 17th Century. Though it’s actual origins are unknown. The word Pique-Nique is thought to have been first used as a name for a French hero in a story, or at the very least popularised by it- Les Charmans effects des barricades, ou l’amité durable de la compagnie des freres Bachiques de Pique-Nique (1649).

Although the term Picnic wasn’t popularised in England until the mid 1800’s, encouraged by the Romantic Movement, the concept of a picnic may date back as far as the medieval ages in it’s simplicity of coming together and sharing a meal. The Upper classes began to move their luncheon outdoors during the warm weather until summertime became the season for outdoor picnics.

What to do and places to go

A picnic can be as universal or personal as you would like. To celebrate national picnic week, you could create your own picnic, to spend time with family and friends. You may want to organise a community picnic, to bring everyone together and enjoy the spirit of the summer- this could even be a picnic in your lunch break with your colleagues.

If you’re not looking for food-based activities, or simply don’t have the time or money, why not check out some of the local natural areas. There’s Forbury Gardens, Prospect Park or Christchurch Meadows if you’re looking for a place to picnic or socialise in the outdoors. If you’d rather head off on a woodland walk you could visit Cowsey Wood Nature Reserve, or Balmore Walk. Just exploring the nature around you is a good way to connect and destress, and this can be done alone or with others.

Living in a world of social media, you might want to start a new trend on TikTok or Instagram, with Picnic reels, competitions, or hashtags, such as #NationalPicnicWeek. Maybe you incorporate it into your social life, with a PowerPoint Night comparing your friends picnic aesthetics like a version of come-dine with me.

So now that the weather is-hopefully-getting warmer, you may like to try and make some time to go out for a picnic with your loved ones and enjoy the world around you. If you want to find out more about National Picnic week, visit the awareness day’s website.