Wasp-free barbecues and perfect campfires: how to do the UK outdoors in comfort and style (whatever the weather) | Summer

Picnic

When it comes to feasting in the great outdoors, no one does it quite like the Brits – we’ll stick to our alfresco dining plan, no matter what the weather throws at us. That’s why weatherproofing your picnic is key.

Rain is the number one threat, so some kind of shelter on standby is recommended. If you’re picnicking close to home, a cheap gazebo provides a just-about luggable outdoor space you can still stand up in while drinking Pimm’s and complaining about the downpour. Pick one up for £30 from B&Q.

For something more portable, a tarp is the ultimate go-anywhere raincover (and windbreak and sunshade, too); Decathlon has a Quechua one for £34.99, which can be easily lashed to trees, erected over the boot of your car, or held up freestanding with the included pegs and poles (just be sure to take a mallet). Remember a lightweight waterproof jacket – British brand Craghoppers has a range of bargain options in its online outlet. A blanket is really useful, too – the CloudTouch one from Voited (£128) is recycled, insulated and water-resistant; it can be handily converted into a pillow and will keep you warm if your picnic lasts into the evening.

If it’s sunny, don’t forget suncream. UpCircle’s SPF25 Mineral Sunscreen (£27.49) is vegan, eco-friendly, refillable from the manufacturer at a discounted price and offers high protection with a natural lavender scent. Bug repellent is another essential – the Deet-free, family friendly Smidge (£9.50), developed by Scottish midge experts, is perfect to dissuade biting insects from having their own feast. Also, don’t forget a hat – go for a packable one that can also be useful in a summer shower, such as Fjallraven’s unisex Kiruna (£50).

The most important ingredient in any picnic is, of course, the food and drink – but how best to carry it to your chosen spot? Forget impractical wicker baskets – picnic rucksacks are the only way to go. Look for a lightweight one with a foil-lined compartment for storing cold food and drink, as well as enough space for cutlery, plates and utensils. For £59.99, Vonhaus has one for four people that includes reusable tableware, wine glasses, napkins, a detachable wine cooler and bottle carrier, cutting board and waterproof blanket. For stylish, unbreakable tumblers, try enamelware from newly opened Margate store, Harbour & Tide (from £12).

To keep the vino cool and coffee warm, take an insulated vacuum flask; Hydro Flask (from £30) does special options for beer and bubbly as well as hot food. But don’t neglect nature’s own larder – place bottles (securely in a bag weighted with rocks or tied to a tree) to cool in a river, or in the shade. PS

Camping

It’s easy to forget the heat when camping – especially when the enduring image is one of a rain-beaten campsite in the height of summer. Many tents are constructed to be a dark-walled canvas (or more often polyester) cocoon, so keeping them cool and dry from the buildup of condensation can be a big challenge.

First up, pitch smart – look for a shady corner, then check the weather. If no rain is forecast, remove the outer fly during the day. Always leave the vents open to allow air flow (models with lots of mesh on the inner are your friend) and if you have a tarp (see picnic section) then use it to cover your tent and absorb the heat instead.

Even in cooler weather, condensation (caused by warm bodies sleeping in a cold space) can mean the inside of your tent becomes damp. Ventilation is again key – keep as many vents and doors open as possible, leave wet clothing, items and footwear outside and keep sleeping bags and mats well away from the walls. Also ensure you peg it out correctly when pitching – that means no sagging (most moisture is caused when the inner and outer sheets touch), and regularly clean and treat your tent with an environmentally friendly waterproofer such as Nikwax Tent & Gear SolarProof (from £8).

If you come back to find things have got wet, don’t despair. Always camp with some handy paracord (available for a fiver), and string it up between two trees/your car and your tent and simply hang things out to dry.

To keep cosy while you sleep, you need a decent sleeping bag. Down-filled models usually offer the best warmth-to-weight ratio and can pack down well, though they can be pricey. Alternatively, for synthetic options try the NosiLife Eco 250 bag (£96), which is part made from recycled plastic bottles and treated with insect repellent, or Mountain Hardwear’s Lamina Eco AF (£121) which is not only made from recycled material but its water repellent finish contains no environmentally harmful chemicals – and it’s undyed, too.

For the perfect campfire, start with plenty of tinder (dry, combustible materials such as grass, birch tree bark or dandelion clocks) surrounded by kindling (small sticks) in a tipi shape and light that first to allow it to become hot before adding larger pieces of wood. To be a responsible firestarter, backpackers will like the Solo Stove’s Lite portable campfire option (£68.50).

And in case you get stuck in a rainstorm, take a pack of cards: Kikkerland Foragers (£7) allows you to learn about nature as you play. PS

Seaside

Wind gusting sand on to your suncream-lathered skin, ice-cream melting on to your towel and feeling near hypothermic after a dip in the sea: to make the most of a day at a British beach, preparation is key.

First up, get a windbreak – they may sound retro but if pitched correctly (with the poles well into the sand and facing the oncoming breeze) they protect you from unexpected gusts, as well as providing privacy when changing or simply lying down reading a book. Things have come a long way from the red, blue and yellow plastic stripes of the 80s (though they are still available), including stone wall, beach hut and wave designs by OLPRO (£40) and a plastic-free Stick in the Sand option (£100) made in Cornwall from canvas.

Once set up, putting sunscreen on sandy skin can be a little scratchy: to remove sand, try the specially marketed Beach Powder (£10.99). Water is, of course, the easiest and cheapest method (and is readily available at the beach, of course); just take a container to clean in, such as the Onsen portable sink (£18.99). Or a kid’s bucket will do.

For sea swimmers, consider a changing mat like one by Dawitrly (£19.88) – it’s ideal for wrapping up all your wet items and transporting to the car at the end of the day. And to stay warm after a dip, a change robe allows space to get dry and stay warm, too. Red Equipment’s Long Sleeve option (from £159.95) also works well as a makeshift tarp in a shower.

For your food, take items that leave little waste – think frozen apples, peaches and grapes (to avoid squishing, soak the latter in prosecco before freezing for an extra buzz), pre-make wraps transported in eco-friendly Bumble Wrap, and drinks decanted into insulated flasks to keep cool and avoid carrying empties.

And for transporting all this to the sand? Forget dainty over-shoulder beach bags, you need a proper hauling basket, such as Lucazzi’s extra-large utility tote (£43.26) that easily holds eight towels as well as buckets and spades. PS

Festivals

The most important thing you’ll pack for a festival is sunscreen, with a high SPF. Garnier Ambre Solaire, Ultrasun, Sainsbury’s or Altruist are all safe bets. I always take three – one for face, a big one for body and a small, multipurpose tube that’s wee enough to fit in a bumbag, because you’ll be out all day and it’s unlikely you’ll summon the will to schlep back to the tent for a (necessary) top-up.

Second and third through the turnstiles are a mini dry shampoo and plenty of hair-ties to manage unwashed hair. Festivals and camping are my one concession to wipes, and I always pick Simple’s Kind to Skin Biodegradable Cleansing Wipes (£3.75 for 2 x 25 packs), since they’re the best and are gentle enough to use on sensitive areas below stairs as well as on the face. They remove all makeup well, but if you’re going for a full-on face paint festival look, it’s worth also packing a small roll of sticky tape – it’s the quickest way to remove stray or persistent particles of glitter (choose Bioglitter, which will degrade with your Simple wipe).

As for other makeup, I do nails and fake tan before arrival, then keep things simple: my trusty Nars tinted moisturiser (£37), a concealer, one stick of easy colour to wear on both cheeks and lips – those by Stila (£26), Milk Makeup (£22) and 3INA (£15) are ideal – one eyeshadow stick – from Bobbi Brown (£27, e.l.f. (£6) or Beauty Pie (£9.50) – some lip balm and a mascara that’ll withstand a rainstorm or hysterical sobbing … or in the case of Mary J Blige at Glastonbury 2015, both. SH

Fashion

If you’re at a festival, please don’t bother with anything more than boots. I have Tretorns (£90) and Red Wings (£329) – both of which look nice with a summer dress. Frankly, I haven’t looked back since. If you plan to do any walking, I’d sooner wear boots than Teva sandals (£45), though they are also an option. It’s acceptable to wear any of them with thick marl socks.

After that, the clothes should look after themselves. A short-sleeve A-line dress, whatever length you prefer, can be warmed with a long-sleeve thermal popped underneath. I suggest wearing something you already own, so you know how it feels. Also: think about how much sitting you plan to do – and where – when you consider the hem length. I always wear All Day cycling shorts (£45) under anything above the knee. Good for unexpected wind and/or hours on a picnic blanket. They also keep you warm without having to resort to tights.

Never assume you can manage without a coat in the UK. I always have rolled up in my bag a Uniqlo ultra-light-down gilet, which fits quite neatly under a longer Rains jacket (£105) or padded coat from Cos (£99); it also fits under a quilted fabric Ikat or denim jacket if you happen to be at a fancy event with a good forecast. Other accessories I stand behind are some sort of transitional hat – a seersucker bucket hat (Arket has a nice one for £27) is smart, but good for all weathers – and washable. An L’Hood (£49.99) is best for extreme weather. Pack spare socks, too.

You’ll need somewhere to put all this, of course. The ubiquitous Uniqlo cross-body bag is great, but for something roomier, try their drawstring shoulder bag (£24.90) which I suspect will be everywhere this summer. Looking presentable at an outdoor event is one of the hardest gigs in the book, so don’t even try to look on-trend. At any rate, looking on-trend means hiking wear – so there’s always that. MF

Garden

Though we are all encouraged to think of gardens, balconies and patios as “outdoor rooms”, the vagaries of the weather mean we can’t always simply flop down on a deckchair and lounge. So a little preparation and a degree of adaptability are key to making the most of your garden in all weathers.

When it’s hot and sunny, the best shade comes from trees and shrubs, and from walls and buildings. There’s no awkward taking up and putting down of patio umbrellas or awnings, and no risk of anything blowing away over a neighbour’s fence. Some quick-growing annual climbers such as sweet peas or a black-eyed Susan vine (Thunbergia alata) romping up a trellis will provide both a windbreak and some dappled shade. If you’re prepared to be patient, planting a container-grown tree or shrub will pay dividends for future summers: snowy mespilus (Amelanchier lamarckii) makes a large shrub or small tree that suits most British gardens and is good for wildlife, too. Just keep it well watered while establishing.

For thrifty shade that doesn’t require watering, string up a washing line and drape fabric (colourful sheets and tablecloths, say) over it to create a simple canopy. Invest in some pegs to hold it in place on windier days (stainless steel ones from Pincinox, £19.45, are indestructible). If you opt for waterproof fabric (like a biodegradable calico from Fabric UK; call 0121-359 2349 for prices), you can even stave off light showers.

If you have a shade tent or windbreak packed away from your last summer holiday, break this out for use in the garden, too, particularly if you have small kids. Shade sails (like a gazebo canvas-style design from Clara, £86.99) are a more permanent but pricier alternative.

It’s not just heat or rain that puts people off from socialising in their garden. Fear of wasps can do the same, but it’s worth remembering they are a boon to gardeners, catching huge quantities of aphids and caterpillars, and also pollinating flowers. They only become a nuisance in late summer, when they’re looking to replace their regular diet of a sugary secretion produced by wasp larvae in the nest – which is why they target your barbecue. Besides ensuring food and drink are covered (try waxed cotton covers from Peace With the Wild, £12.50, or a mesh-lined wicker cover from Woodbridge Kitchen Company, £16.50), add a few drops of peppermint oil to a spray bottle of water to repel wasps.

Talking of barbecues, ditch the disposable ones – they are dangerous and bad for the planet. Gas barbecues emit less carbon dioxide than charcoal, but if you already have a charcoal barbecue, opt for ethically sourced lumpwood charcoal and avoid firelighters (you can make your own from pine cones, dried lemon skins or even old teabags). Weber’s Go-Anywhere gas barbecue grill (£175.99) works just as well in your garden as on a camping trip, and it packs up small in the off season, too.

And what about chillier days and evenings? Fire pits, chimeneas and electric patio heaters may seem like a cosy option, but all are needlessly pumping carbon dioxide into the air. Instead, opt to heat your body. A combination of layered clothing and blankets (I rate these recycled wool ones from FlorenceLilly, £36, ) and a hot-water bottle should keep you toasty, but for a real warm glow, try a hot-water bottle you can strap to your front or back (Pothies’ Cosymajig, £75). Yes, really. JP