A picnic blanket is provided too – the same one that’s included with the first-place VonHaus backpack. Well, it folds down into a very small bag, is nice and big (easily seats 6-8 for a picnic), comes with ‘tent pegs’ for grass and inbuilt sand pockets for the beach, has a zipped pockets for valuables, it’s a strong parachute type material, water and sand just slide off it….

Picnicware - Outdoor Dining | The Range Picnicware - Outdoor Dining | The Range

There are four sets of cutlery (knives, forks, spoons) as well as melamine plates, tumblers and napkins. Be sure to consult a blanket's individual care guide, if machine washability is a non-negotiable feature for you.That did mean the pattern – a black and green mountain design – wasn’t visible, but it was one of the softest blankets to sit on. We also loved how both sides—the fleece and nylon polyurethane backing—resisted staining with water pilling on the poly side and juice easily being blotted up by paper towels on the fleece.

Mini Picnic Blanket - Etsy UK

In truth, it was incredibly difficult to whittle the list down to one winner – but The Stripes Co Pinball picnic mat feels like an investment piece that will last for years and years.

While this blanket may not be the largest of those that we tested, we think it's a great option for couples or for one person to stretch out on. The Oceas Outdoor Blanket was among one of the highest scorers during our durability test for its waterproof backing—the top layer of fleece stayed nice and dry, even when the reverse side was wet. For inspiration on what to include in your picnic rucksack take a look at our collection of picnic recipes, including vegetarian picnic recipes and vegan picnic recipes.

Small Picnic Blanket - Etsy UK

Plus, it doubles as a cosy camping blanket complete with a tiny buckle so you can wrap yourself in it and carry on your business, hands-free. Some compact options measure a few inches shorter, while other picnic blankets for large groups may measure 80 inches or more in length.

This blanket's carrying case was the easiest one we handled during testing, and it has an adjustable shoulder strap, as well as a top handle. A picnic blanket isn’t provided unfortunately and while one could easily fit inside the cool bag, this would mean compromising on space. It excelled during our water test, and stains come out with just a few blots, even on the white fabric. It isn’t too heavy (which is impressive considering how many it caters for) and everything inside is well-secured, as are the compartments themselves, which close with twin zips.