Pick and pack a perfect picnic

With the happy prospect of another sunny bank holiday weekend ahead, what could be nicer than a picnic in the park? All you need is a crowd of jolly mates, a rug, a frisbee and, of course, a hamper stacked with loads of food and booze.

Luckily, with our handy guide, there's no need to waste precious time and money buying soggy sarnies from a dodgy local shop. Here we show you how to upgrade your picnic into an altogether more fabulous affair, with tips for the best delis close to London's favourite picnic spots. Plus, opposite, some great hampers that won't break the bank. Enjoy!

PICNIC SPOT: Hyde Park
SHOP: Daylesford Organic
If you're going to picnic in a Royal Park, you need to make sure the scran in your hamper is up to scratch. Move around the ground floor of this immaculate organic provisions store, picking up sliced cold meats from the charcuterie, freshly baked sourdough and pumpernickel from the bakery, and award-winning British cheese at the dairy counter: the nine-month Daylesford cheddar (£1.79 per 100g) goes great with a slice of fruit loaf (£2.85), or on top of the stilton and walnut biscuits (£2.75).
44B Pimlico Road, SW1 (020 7881 8060, daylesford organic.com)

PICNIC SPOT: Green Park or St James's Park
SHOP: Fortnum & Mason
A stone's throw from both parks, Fortnum's is synonymous with the posh picnic hamper, but you don't have to spend a fortune on its pre-packed extravaganzas. Instead, pick your own selection from the food hall. It stocks just about everything you could want, from hand-sliced Wiltshire ham (£6.50) and melt-in-the-mouth individual goat's cheeses (£4.20) to a wild boar salami for £30.
181 Piccadilly, W1 (020 7734 8040, fortnumandmason.com)

PICNIC SPOT: Regent's Park
SHOP: Villandry
Regent's Park is one of the prettiest in the capital, and you can even take in a trip to the zoo if you are stuck for entertainment. At Villandry, there's a takeaway counter full of seasonal cooked food, like ham and mozzarella calzone and Thai fish cakes, or just go for a simple baguette (£2) and some Brie de Meaux (£1.66 for 100g) on your way to your picnic spot.
170 Great Portland Street, W1 (020 7631 3131, villandry.com)

PICNIC SPOT: Soho Square
SHOP: Flavour
The square is small (but perfectly formed) so a lavish spread may seem a little OTT. Instead of the full works, head to Flavour for food that's fast, but definitely not junk. Try the Glow salad (£4.75) - salmon, almonds and watercress with crème fra"che.
20 Brewer Street, W1 (020 7494 9253, foodthatlovesyou.com)

PICNIC SPOT: Hampstead Heath
SHOP: Rosslyn Hill Deli
A North London staple, this tempting deli is a short walk from the rural-style beauty of the Heath. Choose from its plethora of picnic goodies, from deliciously decadent homemade cakes (from £1.20 a slice) and brownies (£2 each) to a fantastic range of cheeses from £2 per 100g.
56 Rosslyn Hill, NW3 (020 7794 9210, rosslyndeli.net)

PICNIC SPOT: Clapham Common
SHOP: Esca
A chic deli for Clapham High Street that offers all sorts of delicious treats on its home-prepared food counter, from salads of roasted free-range chicken salad, grilled artichoke and asparagus, to salmon en croute and divine pastries, all served in little brown boxes with cutlery.
Lunch for two works out at about £25, including wine and homemade cakes. So don't worry if you've turned up totally unprepared to meet your mates up the road on the common, after popping into Esca you'll be leaving with a ready-to-eat feast.
160a Clapham High Street, SW4 (020 7622 2288)