Charcuterie boards and cheese scones make up the modern day picnics

British picnickers are upgrading their outdoor dining with charcuterie boards, homemade sausage rolls and cheese scones.

Research polling 2,000 adults found one in five will serve up a selection of cured meats when eating al fresco, while olives (25 per cent), paté (15 per cent) and sushi (10 per cent) are also among the more favoured food items now served at picnics.

But it’s not just food having a glow up, as cider (15 per cent), prosecco (15 per cent), and iced coffee (10 per cent) are also proving popular.

It also emerged 11 per cent want to impress pals with a posh picnic, while 29 per cent agreed classic picnic dishes are being shunned for modern alternatives.

The study was commissioned by Aspall Cyder which has partnered with etiquette coach, Jo Bryant, to share tips on how to ‘picnic properly’ – marking the launch of its new Crisp Apple Cyder slimline can this summer.

Jo Bryant said: “Whether you’re heading to a picture-perfect spot, on the beach or just popping out to relax in your back garden, here in Britain we love a good picnic.

“But this new research shows that Brits are ‘poshing up’ their picnics this summer, swapping out some of the traditional food and drinks with other more artisan options and elevating the overall picnic experience for their guests.”

The study also found a trend towards homemade picnic foods emerging, with 22 per cent making their own sausage rolls, 17 per cent whipping up a coleslaw, and 29 per cent supplying home baked cakes.

One in five (19 per cent) will head to a deli to get supplies for their picnic arrangement, while 15 per cent will visit a local farm shop.

On average, picnickers will spend £25.80 on their al fresco food and drink – and 13 per cent will go all out, splurging more than £40 on food for such occasions.

When it comes to elevating a picnic, almost two thirds say the weather (65 per cent) is the most important factor, while 36 per cent said the quality of food has a big impact.

Exactly one in 10 said a drink selection which has been properly chilled is critical, with a plastic wine glass (11 per cent) or a tin (10 per cent) among the most favoured drinking vessels.

The research, conducted via OnePoll, also found 14 per cent prefer modern picnic dishes over their traditional counterparts.

More than half (52 per cent) agreed picnics are synonymous with a British summer, and 37 per cent acknowledged how they’ve improved over the years.

Samantha Maynard at Aspall Cyder said: “Picnics will continue to be part of British culture, and come rain or shine, it feels like people always find a way to squeeze one in over the summer.

“Our study shows people are upgrading their picnics so we wanted to help them maximise their al fresco dining by teaming up with Jo Bryant to create an etiquette guide to doing picnics right.

“Alongside ensuring picnic-perfect food and beverages, putting a bit more effort into all the finishing touches can help make the overall experience feel more memorable.”

TOP 30 PICNIC FOODS

1. Sandwiches
2. Crisps
3. Sausage rolls (not vegetarian/vegan)
4. Cheese(s)
5. Salad
6. Tomatoes
7. Pork pies
8. Quiche
9. Cocktail sausages (not vegetarian vegan)
10. Scotch eggs (not vegetarian vegan)
11. Pastries
12. Coleslaw
13. Potato salad
14. Cucumber sticks
15. Pasta salad
16. Dips
17. Carrot sticks
18. Crackers
19. Wraps
20. Chicken drumsticks
21. Houmous
22. Cheese twists
23. Olives
24. Meat pies
25. Nuts
26. Meat platter / Charcuterie selection
27. Pittas
28. Cheese scones
29. Vegetarian/vegan sausage rolls
30. Chutney