1. Don't take along anything that's heavy to carry. On a warm day, your chosen spot may be packed with sun seekers and you could end up walking and walking to find a place to yourself. Paper plates and plastic cutlery are much lighter than steel and porcelain!

2. If wasps and ants bug you, avoid taking ice cream, sticky puddings and cakes, as they are a magnet for flies and insects.

3. Help prepare any dishes you'd like to take with you just before leaving and use cool bags to help keep your food at the right temperature. The bacteria in some foods, such as those in cream and mayonnaise, multiply after just a couple of hours in the warm sun.

4. Don't forget to take bags for your rubbish, as there may not be any bins to use at your picnic site.

5. Pack a camera or journal to remember the day.