Have you ever had the problem where you’re at a picnic and your food scores that last empty space on the picnic rug? The ground's a little wet, a little dirty and a little spiky, but you know it’s a sacrifice you must take. Not any more! Yes, your cheese and wine is important, but that shouldn’t be at the expense of your own comfort.
There are plenty of affordable, multi-purpose picnic blanket options currently on the market and ready to be used for when the sunshine does decide to come out.
Related: The best picnic bags
From waterproof picnic blankets to compact travel blankets, and the best picnic blankets for a splash of colour or some extra style, we share which blankets are trending today.
The best picnic blankets:
1 of 12VonShef Herringbone Picnic Blankets
This VonShef large Herringbone picnic blanket is a great option for any family or group planning a picnic (when it is legal to do so). It's extra large and is perfect for al fresco dining and outdoor lounging. It's made from a hardwearing fleece polyester with a PEVA waterproof backing, keeping you dry on damp surfaces. It's easy to carry with its faux leather handles. Measures: 147 x 180cm
2 of 12Fortnum & Mason Tweedmill, Polo Picnic Rug, Dark Check
Fortnum & Mason has a gorgeous large rustic picnic blanket. It's a luxurious option, crafted in the UK, made from pure wool and woven into an antique hunting Stewart pattern. It's waterproof with a polyester-nylon backing and easy to carry with leather straps.Measures: 145cm x 183cm.
3 of 12Good Gain Wool Picnic Blanket,Oversize Waterproof Backing with Handle Beach Mat
This Good Gain large picnic blanket is great if you like that grey minimalistic style. It comes in a few other colours and also has a waterproof backing, made of 300D material which is more durable and less fragile than the PEVA backing used by other brands. It is 50% wool, 50% polyester, with tassels for extra detail. It has leather handles making it easy to carry, and it's easy to clean. Measures: 152.4 x 203.2 cm
4 of 12Wild in Bloom, Beach Blanket, Oversized Beach Blanket, Picnic Blanket
The Wild in Bloom's medium-sized picnic blanket is another good rug option designed for the beach. It comes in a simple grey colour but has some gorgeous detail and craftsmanship through its stitching and tassels. Being made of three layers, the best picnic blanket provides superior protection from grass, sand, dirt and rocks. Comprised of an acrylic-wool blend, the waterproof backing prevents water or dew from seeping through. The thick black leather straps make it very easy to carry. Measures: 40.1 x 20.1 cm
5 of 12Heating & Plumbing London Pure New Wool Waterproof Picnic Blanket Grey & Yellow
This Made in Britain luxurious picnic blanket is absolutely heavenly and features that extra bit of colour. It is quite large, meaning everyone will get a nice dry spot to enjoy. It has a combination of a soft pure wool top and a durable polyester backing. It's got a super stylish thin leather strap making it easy to carry. Even better, it's machine washable on a wool cycle. Measures: 145 x 183cm
6 of 12Femor Large Picnic Blanket with waterproof backing
For an even bigger and cheap picnic blanket option, check out Femor's blanket. With more than 2,900 ratings, it comes in a variety of striped colours. It's made of a robust and durable material (three layers in total), giving it a nice amount of padding and cosiness. The high-quality fleece is also heat-insulating and tear-resistant – great for the kids. It's also lightweight (1kg), easy to transport (handle provided), and easy-to-care. Measures: 200 x 300cm (also available in 200 x 200cm)
7 of 12BEARZ Outdoor Picnic Blanket & Camping Mat - Sand Proof Beach Blanket, Camping Tarp, Outdoor Rug
Coming in a range of colours (blue, red, pink, digital camouflage, yellow and green), this picnic blanket is sand-proof, waterproof and puncture-resistant. It's not only lightweight, compact and durable but also fits in the palm of your hand. You can either hook it to your backpack (clip included), throw it in your bag or keep it in the car. The corner pockets also allow you to secure the edges with camping stakes (or rocks around you) to protect yourself against the wind. Measures: 152 x 140cm
8 of 12ISOPHO Beach Blanket Picnic Blanket
For a large and compact picnic blanket, we'd recommend ISOPHO's Beach and Picnic blanket. This is waterproof and sand-proof, lightweight (0.35kg), anti-wrinkle, odourless and heat-insulating. With more than 3,562 ratings on Amazon, it comes in a variety of colours (blue, grass green, green, orange) and other sizes. It also has a reinforced edging with four fixed nails to keep it in place on the ground. All it needs is a quick machine wash from time to time, and off you go. Measures: 210 x 200cm
9 of 12Matador Blanket Pocket
Keeping a compact picnic rug in your bag or pocket will ensure you'll always have it on hand. This water-repellent Blanket Pocket is 100% polyester, it comes in a range of colours (alpine green, original red and black) and weighs only 108 grams. It comes in one size and is perfect to provide enough dry seating for four people (probably not the food though). All four corners are also equipped with pockets for weighing down with sand or secured with the small pegs which are provided. Measures: 160 x 110 cm
10 of 12National Trust Recycled Woollen Rug
A smaller but just as popular picnic blanket is this National Trust Recycled Woollen Rug. It's made from recycled end-cuts of yarn so each rug is original, which adds to their unique charm. It's a small/medium-sized rug and ideal for a couple of people with enough room for food. This picnic blanket must be hand washed only (cold water) and drip dried (no tumble dry).Measures: 120 x 150cm
11 of 12Navigate Gardenia Extra Large Floral Picnic Rug
This picnic Rug is the best picnic blanket if you want something with a snazzy, fun design. It has a polyester waterproof backing for protection against light ground moisture. It's a great size for the whole family too. It can be spot cleaned only.Measures: 200 x 140cm
12 of 12Pahajim Large Camping Mat and Picnic Rug for Outdoors
This blanket is a fun option for anyone who loves nautical themed items. It's an extra-large picnic blanket, great for the entire family, made with durable and waterproof material. It's easy to clean and effortless to carry. Measures: 200 x 200cm
All of these picnic blankets have been hand-selected by What's The Best shopping experts. Our team has spent hours investigating and researching picnic blankets, so you can choose the best one. Plus, we'd never recommend a product we don't believe in. Find out why you should trust us here.
What size should a picnic blanket be?
This really depends on how you intend to use your picnic blanket. However, the standard size for picnic blankets is 150 x 150cm. Of course, if you are planning to organise a picnic with a group of friends or your entire family (when it’s legal), we'd recommend investing in a larger picnic blanket.
Can you put picnic blankets in the washing machine?
Most picnic blankets should be able to be hand-washed with a mild detergent, and some will be machine-washable, on a gentle cycle. Obviously, avoid using any bleach as this might damage the fibres in the blanket, and fabric softeners, as this could potentially ruin the outer coat of your blanket (and give it a scratchy feel). But always check the laundry labels to find out the care instructions.
How do I choose a picnic blanket?
Our first piece of advice is to never just look at the price as the main factor in buying a picnic blanket. Look at the composition of the fabrics and materials used. Look into the features of the product, whether the blanket is water-resistant, sand resistant, durable (we want it to last), lightweight and so on. These features will determine what that particular picnic blanket should be used for and the ideal type of setting. Then of course the size of the product and if the style is right for you.
What to read next:
Emily Farquhar is a Commercial Content Writer for WhatsTheBest, and also writes for Yours.co.uk, heatworld and Closer across beauty, tech, and lifestyle.
Subscribe to the What’s The Best Newsletter to keep up to date with more of the latest reviews and recommendations from Emily and the rest of the What’s The Best team.