



Our picnic essentials
A helpful place to start when gathering pieces for your picnic is by sourcing comfortable and versatile soft furnishings as a base for relaxing, eating and drinking. Our garden mattresses were born for this purpose! Choose from our geometric Piazza style with a fun chevron design, or our floral Bouquet De Fleurs Garden Mattress. Both have been block printed by hand in India on premium cotton, finished with tassels and a water resistant treatment to protect the design from damp grass or the odd spill. Create a sumptuous setting for your picnic spread, with good food, wine, and friends, or even just a tranquil spot to unwind alone with a good book!



Cushions, cushions, cushions
As always, never fear mixing patterns! An outdoor picnic is a great opportunity to really go for an eclectic, mix and match look - it doesn’t have to look flawlessly coordinated. In fact, if your set up feels thrown together, but still follows some simple styling rules, you just can’t go wrong! We have chosen to go for both garden mattress designs, Piazza, and Bouquet De Fleurs, layered together with a scattering of mismatching cushions for a playful twist on a traditional English picnic. We absolutely love our Andalusia Cushion for this purpose - the botanical design is ideal for summer and we have styled it with our Ikat Outdoor Cushions, however, any geometric design would pair wonderfully.

Top styling tips
When it comes to styling pattern on pattern make sure you don’t use too many small and intricate designs simultaneously, as this can lead to a visual overload and be a little too distracting. Make sure you follow a colour scheme and layer patterns of different sizes and various textures to create a harmonious composition. Vary the type of print used too - florals go hand in hand with geometrics for a contemporary twist.

Picnic accessories
No picnic is complete without accessories (or well behaved pugs). Balance any patterns in your set up with block colour, such as our Bordered Throws, or perhaps a Suzani, and tie in a vase with fresh flowers for visual interest. Why not utilise a tray too - this Rattan Tray is sturdy enough for carrying plates outside and useful as a flat surface for glassware and your vase. Or why not go for our newest tray, the Plaited Woven Tray, smaller and circular in size but just as beautiful. Our Cotton Mache Pentola Vases work well in this scenario, and are popular for their rustic look - pick out complimentary shades to keep the look cohesive.


To serve
Use an eclectic array of glassware, ceramics and table linen to serve your food and drink. For our picnic, we have chosen to bring along our Pencil Cut Tumblers, and Pencil Cut Glass Jug, for serving fresh water or juice. Our Bel Napkins are a dining staple, no matter how casual! Generous in size they are great for catching crumbs and keeping your hands clean, these also come in a paper napkin style too. Block printed by hand in India on a premium cotton, the timeless linear design will elevate any picnic. Why not try our Bel Linen Tablecloths as a picnic blanket alternative to keep your plates and feet off the grass, these look fantastic when styled with our garden mattresses. Our Bel table linen is available in three colours: red, green or blue, making them incredibly versatile and easy to style. A much loved design, we even have co ordinating Bel Tea Towels and Bel Aprons!
Top tip to remember - Ensure you have a colour palette and keep to it, as this is the key to achieving a calm and concordant feel, even with a mixture of pattern and texture!



Out and about
Now you’ve packed your basket, decided on cushions and gathered your favourite people, where are you going to set up for the day? If you are lucky enough to have a big grassy garden then perfect, however if you fancy a day out or you are in Norfolk for the weekend then here are our top picks.
North Norfolk is a beautiful region with diverse landscapes, nature reserves, and stunning coastlines, making it an excellent destination for adventurers, nature lovers, dogs and children alike. Here are three of our favourite spots or stretches:

Wells-next to the Sea - This picturesque stretch of golden sand is backed by a row of colourful beach huts and bordered by fragrant pinewoods, the beach is so vast it never feels too crowded! The area's natural beauty is complemented by the bustling harbor nearby, where you can watch fishing boats come and go, or find an ice cream shop!
Holkham Hall - A magnificent example of 18th-century Palladian architecture was built between 1734 and 1764 for Thomas Coke, the 1st Earl of Leicester, the hall boasts an impressive façade of classical columns and symmetrical design, surrounded by beautiful grounds featuring a serene deer park, tranquil lakes, and a diverse array of flora and fauna within its natural reserve - ideal for a picnic! Visitors can also tour the interior, visit the walled gardens and purchase refreshments from the Courtyard Cafe.
Holt Country Park - This stunning parkland is situated on the outskirts of Holt in Norfolk. Spanning over 100 acres, this woodland park offers a diverse landscape of mature trees, interspersed with heather-covered heathland and peaceful glades. The park is crisscrossed with well-maintained trails and pathways, making it a fantastic destination for walking and birdwatching. Families can enjoy the various picnic areas, a children's adventure playground, and interactive sculptures dotted throughout the park.
A day in Holt
Holt, a charming market town in Norfolk, England, just 10 minutes from the coast exudes timeless appeal with its picturesque streets, historic architecture, and vibrant atmosphere. The town is renowned for its independent shops such as our very own Birdie Fortescue Showroom , art galleries and antique stores. Making it a haven for those seeking unique finds. Surrounded by stunning landscapes, and the North Norfolk coast, the town serves as a gateway to outdoor adventures. Whether exploring the quaint streets, or savoring local cuisine in its cosy eateries, Holt offers a delightful blend of history, culture, and natural beauty.

Birdie Fortescue Holt Showroom
Visiting Holt for the day? Why not pop in to our Holt Showroom for some expert advice and retail therapy. From furniture, to cushions, rugs and vases our store is a haven of homeware.
We are always delighted to meet our customers in person, and for you to see and feel our homewares. Our experienced team are always on hand to help with any styling advice you may need and to guide you through our extensive collections of homewares, art and antiques.
We are also the only Norfolk stockists of Edward Bulmer Natural Paint. View the colour range and chose your sample pots with us, and make that long awaited room refresh happen!
We often run a number of events at our stores, including talks and workshops with talented guests and makers, as well as masterclasses in design with Birdie. Please sign up to our newsletter to receive the latest event information and offers.
Visit us at The Barn, Feathers Yard, Holt, Norfolk, NR25 6BW, open Monday to Friday from 10.00am - 5.00pm. Our Holt store is located round the back of The Feathers Hotel, just off of the high street. To speak to the Holt team please call 01263 713 500.
Please note we do not stock all items in our Holt showroom, if you would like to see something in particular please call ahead so we can arrange this for you, at our Holt Showroom or Fakenham HQ.
