Picnic season is here and where better to enjoy the great outdoors than Lincolnshire?
Not only is our landscape beautiful, but the county also produces some of the best food in the country. Gone are the days of soggy sandwiches, it’s time to upgrade your picnic hamper with some of our favourite local delicacies!
1. Sausage Rolls
A good sausage roll is a staple of every British picnic. Humble, yet delicious, this iconic pastry snack is one of the UK’s most popular delicacies.
It’s no secret that here in Lincolnshire, we take our sausages very seriously. Even more so when it comes to sausage rolls. The pastry may vary, but one thing is for sure, the filling HAS to be Lincolnshire sausage meat.
For the best sausage rolls, head to Redhill Farm Shop in the Bail, in Lincoln’s Cathedral Quarter. Hand-produced on the family farm, just 20 miles outside of the city, these award-winning pastries are mouth-wateringly delicious. Arrive at the right time and you can enjoy them fresh out of the oven.
As Redhill also supply pork pies to Wimbledon and Lord’s Cricket Ground, it’s probably worth sampling a couple of these too.
2. Cote Hill Cheese
A cheese sandwich is most definitely a picnic essential, but it’s time to upgrade from those classic cheddar rolls. With so much farmland in Lincolnshire, it should come as no surprise that the county is home to some fantastic cheese producers.
Situated in the heart of the Lincolnshire Wolds, the award-winning Cote Hill Farm is one of the best. The key to great cheese is fresh milk, and this family-run farm take their milk directly from the cows to the cheese-making rooms onsite. As the milk is unpasteurised, it allows the cheeses to develop a really unique flavour.
You can pick up some Cote Hill cheese straight from the farm, or alternatively pop by the Cheese Society in Lincoln. This expert supplier also do a fantastic ‘Taste of Lincolnshire’ selection box. This platter of deliciousness features a pick of some of the best cheeses from across the county, from some award-winning local makers.
3. Plum Bread
No Lincolnshire picnic would be complete without a loaf of plum bread. First made in 1901, this delicious fruit loaf was created by Charles Myers, in the market town of Alford in Lincolnshire. Made using a sweet, rich dough, plum bread is packed with dried fruit – but funnily enough, no plums.
Apparently a firm favourite with the Royal family, plum bread is traditionally served with butter and Poacher cheese – a tasty alternative to a traditional sandwich.
The Myers family still produce plum bread today, however there are also a number of other local bakers who have put their own twist on the original recipe. You will find plenty of shops in Lincoln and Lincolnshire that stock plum loaves, including the Farm Shop at Doddington Hall. If you’d rather try it before you risk it in a picnic, Bell’s Tea Shop in Lincoln also feature it on their menu.
4. Pipers Crisps
Pipers was launched in 2004, when three Lincolnshire farmers joined forces to produce great tasting crisps from homegrown potatoes.
Pipers started by selling their crisps to local pubs, and are now stocked in over 14,000 outlets across the country. The company make a point of sourcing ingredients from other passionate food producers – many of which are family-run farms right here in the UK. Despite starting with just 4 classic flavour combos, you can now try anything from jalapeno and dill, to wild thyme and rosemary.
Since launching, Pipers have won 53 Taste awards, so it’s safe to say our Lincolnshire potatoes are pretty special. Pop a share bag in your picnic and see what you think… Whether you actually end up sharing them is entirely up to you.
5. Hawken’s Grantham Gingerbread
You can’t have a picnic without a pudding, and everyone knows chocolate is not a good idea on a sunny day. To avoid any sticky situations, we suggest packing a box of Hawken’s Grantham Gingerbread.
Officially England’s oldest biscuit, Grantham Gingerbread was first made in 1740. The recipe was originally created in error by Grantham baker, William Egglestone. Luckily, his unique biscuit was so delicious it became a local delicacy, putting the town of Grantham on the map.
Over the years, the biscuit gradually fell out of production and was confined to the history books. It wasn’t until 2014 that Grantham company Hawken’s Gingerbread started to produce the biscuit again, using the original recipe. A buttery dome of honeycomb and ginger, this classic biccy is definitely a little taste of Lincolnshire.
6. Lincoln Gin
No picnic would be complete without a refreshing drink. Now traditionally that might mean a flask of tea, but what about a G&T?
Located on the banks of the Foss Dyke Canal, the Lincoln Distillery is an independent, family-run company. Interestingly, this is the first legal distillery in the city since Victorian times.
The company’s flagship product, Lincoln Dry Gin, is made in small batches using traditional methods. The recipe takes inspiration from the history and heritage of Lincoln, using botanical ingredients that would have once been grown in the city.
A refreshing addition to any picnic, Lincoln Dry Gin is so smooth you can enjoy it neat. If you want to add a tonic, the Distillery offer recommendations on their website to make sure you get the perfect accompaniment.
Not sure where to enjoy your picnic? Check out some of our top picnic spots in Lincoln.
