LEISURE

VICTORIAN PICNICS

The picnic was very popular during the Victorian era and there are many photographs surviving of families and groups arranged around a big rug and a mountain of food in the middle of a field. Again the better off in society would take advantage of days off to take a trip to the countryside and enjoy the fresh air away from the towns and cities.

Picnics for the aristocracy were lavish affairs and the following is an extract from Mrs Beeton`s Book of Household Management of 1861 on what to take for a picnic for 40 people –

A joint of cold roast beef, a joint of cold boiled beef, 2 ribs of lamb, 2 shoulders of lamb, 4 roast fowls, 2 roast ducks, 1 ham, 1 tongue, 2 veal and ham pies, 2 pigeon pies, 6 medium lobsters, 1 piece of collard calf’s head, 18 lettuces, 6 baskets of salad, 6 cucumbers.

Stewed fruit, well sweetened and put into glass bottles well corked; 3 or 4 dozen plain pastry biscuits to eat with the stewed fruit, 2 dozen fruit turnovers, 4 dozen cheesecakes, 2 cold cabinet puddings in moulds, 2 blancmanges in moulds, a few jam puffs, 1 large cold plum udding (this must be good), a few baskets of fresh fruit, 3 dozen plain biscuits, a piece of cheese, 6lbs of butter, 4 quarten loaves of household bread, 3 dozen rolls, 6 loaves of tin bread, 2 plain plum cakes, 2 pound cakes, 2 sponge cakes, a tin of mixed biscuits, half a pound of tea( coffee not being suitable for a picnic, being difficult to make)

Things not to be forgotten at a picnic
A stick of horseradish, a bottle of mint sauce well corked, a bottle of salad dressing, a bottle of vinegar, make mustard, pepper, salt, good oil, and pounded sugar. If it can be managed – take a little ice. It is scarcely necessary to say that plates, tumblers, wine glasses, knives, forks, and spoons must not be forgotten; as also teacups and saucers, 3 or 4 teapots, some lump sugar and milk, if this cannot be obtained in the neighbourhood. Take three corkscrews.

Beverages- 3 dozen quart bottles of ale, packed in hampers, ginger beer, soda water and lemonade – of each 2 dozen bottles; 6 bottles of sherry, of bottles of claret, champagne discretion, and any other light wine that may be preferred and 2 bottles of brandy. Water can usually be obtained so it is useless to take it. Parks offered activities such as boating, listening to music in the bandstand or an opportunity to promenade in your Sunday best clothing.