The time has come to head outdoors for a picnic. This is not an art. Ripe tomatoes, fruit, cold cuts, cheese and a baguette will just about do it. The point is not to take anything too fancy or difficult to procure, but to enjoy what you choose in the best possible style. Arranging plates and glasses with napkins, knives and forks is half the fun, and the LINLEY Somerset Picnic Hamper can be tethered to your tailgate, while you arrange the deckchairs and pop the cork off something fizzy or just pull the top off a beer or two.
Handcrafted in Somerset, England, by wicker basket makers now in their 195th year, the basket is just part of this ensemble by LINLEY, the bespoke design and furniture company owned and run by David Linley, nephew of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Viscount Linley broke the royal mold by taking himself off to learn woodwork after leaving school, then setting up a workshop for three years before forming David Linley Ltd. in 1985. Since then his retail locations in London’s Mayfair and Chelsea neighborhoods have been the go-to spots for aristocratic wedding gifts worldwide. Yet it is always possible to find the perfect small gem, be it a photo-frame or playing card box.
The Somerset Picnic Hamper includes four place settings, six 24 percent lead crystal champagne flutes, silver-plated cutlery by Robbe & Berking and crockery by Haviland. There are also three horn-handled utensils by French manufacturer Laguiole. Everything onboard the hamper can be securely strapped down with the organic leather straps and there is also space for four champagne bottles or thermos flasks. Compartments for an ice bucket and trays for food complete this haute version of an outdoor classic.
LINLEY Somerset Picnic Hamper, davidlinley.com, £9,500
