There's nothing better than picnicking in the sunshine, but scrolling down Instagram, it's easy to feel like your picnic just isn't up to scratch. Follow these tips and recipes to create a perfect picnic worth posting about.

Before you do anything else, make sure you've got a good setting for your picnic. Instead of opting for an old, dusty blanket from the garage, take something a little more colourful. A bright rug like this will add a whole other dimension to your picnic.

Picnic hampers are not only handy for holding the contents of your feast, but they look great too. This rustic wicker basket looks fantastic next to plates full of colourful food, and the hamper can act as a handy table for some of your snacks (as pictured).

Paper plates might be convenient, but they're not exactly 'Instagram ready'. Instead, opt for enamel plates. They're light to carry, easy to clean and create a sophisticated but charming aesthetic.

Fed up of batting away wasps and flies when sipping your sugary drink? Try using cupcake cases as lids for a photo-worthy way of keeping the bugs out. Simply turn the case upside down and poke your straw through the middle. Voilà!

Everybody loves pork pies, and home-baked look even better. Use fresh pork chopped by hand, flavour with anchovy essence and fresh sage, and make your pastry crust extra thick. It’s a bit tricky to master this recipe, but patience will be rewarded.

“A fridge without chutney is like a car without a spare tyre,” says chef Valentine Warner. We’re sure he keeps his picnic hamper stocked with the stuff, too. Here he combines onions and runner beans with turmeric and wholegrain mustard for chutney with a kick. Serve the chutney in a mason jar (as pictured) for a more rustic look.

Those family-size crisp packets are great for sharing, but they have the tendency to create lots of mess once opened. Prevent any crisps from being crushed into your blanket by turning the packets into bowls. Just push in the bottom of the bag to make a flat surface so the packet can stand upright.

If you don't fancy carrying a picnic hamper down to your al fresco spot, but still want to pack enamel plates and silverware for your feast, get yourself a picnic backpack like this one, which comes equipped with all the compartments you could possibly need. 

Layer up your salad in a mason jar, using chunky vegetables as a barricade between the dressing and lettuce to stop the salad from going soggy. Store your salad jar in a cool bag with your frozen water bottles and it will stay cool for hours.

If you haven’t tried frozen grapes, you really should. They’re a perfect snack in the heat – healthy too – and great for popping in your drink as a replacement for ice. Just put them into a freezer bag overnight and they’ll be good to go.

Pimp up your potato salad for a delicious addition to your picnic. Potato salad needs a dressing that isn’t too thick or the whole dish becomes too heavy. While many people stick with mayonnaise and white wine vinegar, try adding a dollop of crème fraiche, yoghurt or even a splash of vinegar with diced pickles. Check out some recipes here. 

Stale bread rolls just won’t cut it for an Instagram-worthy picnic. If you’ve got some time, bake your own focaccia. Fresh from the River Café, this recipe originates from the village of Recco in Liguria, Italy. Unlike most bread recipes, it’s very quick to make – ready in just 30 minutes.

Forget cupcakes, show off at your picnic with a beautiful homemade tart instead. Try this strawberry tart with a twist, or make a batch of these apple tarts, perfect for sharing with family or friends. 

Messy sandwiches that just fall apart as soon as you pack them up are no fun for anybody. Use some string to tie them together so they stay closed until you’re ready to eat them.

A batch of hot dog sausages are perfect picnic food for kids. Like you would a sandwich, tie a piece of string around the hot dog to stop the sausage from slipping out of the roll.

If you’re heading off for an adult picnic, try making yourself some alcoholic Capri-Suns. Simply pour vodka and fresh lemonade into a sandwich pouch, add a few slices of lemon and lime and store in the fridge (or freezer).

Serve soups in thermal flasks and use labels to differentiate them. Even canned soups will look good in a container like this.

Scotch eggs are a picnic classic. If you’re looking to stay traditional, try making some homemade ones like these. The trick to making a great scotch egg is to extract the meat from really good quality sausages and use that to fill them. Deep-fry in very hot oil (be careful) until they're really crispy then let them cool.

If you’re looking for a veggie option, these should please everyone. They're vegetarian but carnivores won't miss the meat. It has been replaced with a mixture of fleshy chestnut mushrooms and diced shallots, seasoned with thyme for a beautifully rich taste. Perfectly runny yolks and soft white egg make for a creamy mouthful. 

Here is a sandwich with a difference: a whole bloomer scooped out and filled with grilled vegetables and mozzarella for slicing and sharing. Grilling the vegetables softens the flesh and intensifies their flavour. Perfect for a picnic, it’s best to make this tasty sandwich loaf the evening before.

Not a fan of sarnies? Avocado and mint fill this pasta dish with fresh summer flavours – a vegetarian-friendly salad that everyone will love. 

A picnic needs at least two hearty salads, and this recipe will give you all the greens you need. Use chicory, mint and a trio of cheeses – sheep’s, cow’s and goat’s – to make it authentically Spanish.

Looking to add a sprinkle of oregano to your salad, or some parmesan to your cold pasta? Just pour your favourite seasonings into empty Tic-Tac containers and sprinkle away. 

For a great meaty addition to your picnic, these roly-polies designed by Michelin-starred chef Marcus Wareing are the perfect pastry. We challenge you not to eat any when they come fresh out of the oven…