The best summer picnic food encompasses everything from the crumbliest fudge to ham so good it’s wasted in a sandwich, celebrating every corner of the British Isles from the Isle of Wight (tomatoes) to the Highlands (venison pie). The Field’s guide to the best summer picnic food comes with one guarantee – we’ve tried it all, and it is delicious.

There is no better way to celebrate a glorious summer than by filling the larder with proper picnic food. If you’d prefer to cook rather than buy (sometimes buying the best summer picnic food is made at home, but you’d be hard pressed to beat this handpicked Field selection) then see what makes a proper British picnic.

Don’t miss The Field’s summer special issues, a Platinum Jubilee special, out on 19 May, and a spectacular summer special out on 16 June.

THE FIELD’S ULTIMATE SUMMER PICNIC

Pictured above: clockwise from left

1. Game-flavoured crisps, Eat Game

Choose from grouse and whinberry, smoked pheasant and wild mushroom, wild duck and plum sauce or wild boar and apple.

Price: £24.49 for 12 x 150g assorted flavours
Visit: tasteofgame.org.uk/contact-us

2. Crackers and toasts, The Fine Cheese Co

Take your pick of crackers from this Somerset institution – from Bath Squares to olive oil and sea salt crackers.

Price: from £3
Tel:  01225 448748
Visit: finecheese.co.uk

3. Butter fudge, The Toffee Shop

Made in Cumbria, with the ingredients heated and stirred in brass pans before the golden liquid is hand-beaten and poured into trays.

Price: from £6.90
Tel: 01768 862008
Visit: thetoffeeshop.co.uk

4. Hard tonic, Percival & Co

A refreshing alcoholic drink without the high calorie and sugar content of the usual offerings. Choose form apple and mint, elderflower or rose and juniper.

Price: £31 for 12 x 250ml
Email: hello@percivalandco.com
Visit: percivalandco.com

5. Original brownies, Gower Cottage Brownies

Freshly baked in Wales, made from the finest Belgian chocolate.

Price: £18.99 for 12
Tel: 01792 390011
Visit: gowercottagebrownies.co.uk

6. Tillington 2014 sparkling wine, Nyetimber

From this West Sussex vineyard, expect a palate that is “generous yet refined, with ripe red apple and apricot complemented by undertones of fresh citrus”.

Price: £100
Tel: 0800 093 0243
Visit: nyetimber.com

7. Yorkshire fruit cake in a tin, Bettys

This Yorkshire tea room’s classic fruit cake, packed with vine fruits and glacé cherries.

Price: £24
Tel: 01423 814008
Visit: bettys.co.uk

8. The Elizabeth sponge, Forman & Field

Seven layers of sponge to represent seven decades of Her Majesty’s reign.

Price: £14.95
Tel: 020 3601 5464
Visit: formanandfield.com

9. Venison and cranberry pie, Lochinver Larder

From the north west coast of Scotland, diced venison in a rich red wine gravy topped with cranberry sauce.

Price: £5.95
Tel: 01571 844356
Visit: lochinverlarder.com

10. Assorted British cheeses, The Fine Cheese Co

Put together a spread of British cheeses, from Baron Bigod to Pitchfork Cheddar.

Price: from £8.50
Tel: 01225 448748;
Visit: finecheese.co.uk

11. Tomatoes, The Tomato Stall

Over 40 varieties to choose from, grown on the Isle of Wight.

Price: £11.50 for 1.5kg
Tel: 01983 866907
Visit: thetomatostall.co.uk

12. Smoked trout terrine, Mere Trout,

Made with the trimmings from rainbow trout, which are slow grown in the crystal clear chalk stream waters of Wiltshire.

Price: from £3.75
Tel: 01747 860461
Visit: meretrout.com

13. The Gentleman’s Relish, Patum Peperium

The classic anchovy relish to spread on crackers.

Price: from £3 at various stockists
Visit: patumpeperium1828.com

14. Greengage Fruit Cheese, Rosebud Preserves

A sweet addition to your cheese board, perfectly partnered with blue cheese.

Price: £5.50
Tel: 01765 689174
Visit: rosebudpreserves.co.uk

15. Half Boneless St George’s Ham, Dukeshill

Price: £67
Tel: 0345 222 0153
Visit: dukeshillham.co.uk

16. Blackwatch tartan blanket, Campbell’s of Beauly

The smartest blanket to lay down your spread on.

Price: £125
Tel: 01463 782 239
Visit: campbellsofbeauly.com