Pukka Picnic Recipes
Cookie Cutter Sandwiches
If there is one essential item you must have this summer then it will be a good selection of cookie cutters. Guaranteed to make any sandwich more attractive to eat – especially for the children!
Here are a few alternative fillings, but of course if the children are a little fussy stick to the traditional.
Homemade egg mayonnaise and horseradish
Chunky deli ham and garlic mayo
Cheese and chilli jam
Mini Hot Dogs with Tomato Relish
Actually these should be called chilled dogs but never mind! Fill mini sub rolls with mini hot dog sausages or whole ones halved. Take with you a jar of tomato relish and you have the summer version of the bonfire night favourite.
Frittata Slices
Make one huge tasty omelette and chill over night.
You will need, 4 potatoes, 1 large red onion, a red pepper, a green pepper, peas, green beans, 10 eggs, garlic and seasoning and some cheese for the top. This should make a very decent deep frittata – depending on the size of your frying pan.
Cut 4 potatoes into small wedges and cook until they are ready for eating. In the meantime chop into small pieces: red onions, red and green peppers, peas and green beans.
Gently fry some garlic in a pan then add your chopped ingredients from the above list – do this for about 3 minutes.
When your potatoes are ready, cool and cut into smaller pieces. Gently sauté the potatoes in oil or butter with garlic if you prefer. Once these have browned lightly, add the vegetables you have already cooked. Gently beat 10 eggs in a bowl adding a little salt and pepper and add to the frying pan filled with vegetables. Cook until firm and brown on the bottom. Put the pan under the grill to cook and brown the top.
Top with plenty of cheese and grill for a few seconds more until it has melted.
Cool and then place in the fridge over night. The next morning slice up and put into a container.
Pukka Picnic Salad
To make this really easy, buy a bottle of your favourite salad dressing and pour over your salad just before serving.
Mix rocket, baby spinach, cherry tomatoes (halved), red onion, capers and broad beans (pre-cooked and skins removed).
Tuna or Chicken Salad
Mix tuna/chicken, green beans, black olives, watercress and parmesan shavings and serve drizzled with caesar salad dressing.
Fruit Kebabs
Chop pineapple, peach and mango into large chunks and skewer alternately onto bamboo sticks.
Homemade Mini Muffins
Use any muffin recipe and cook in mini muffin tins! A perfect accompaniment to the fruit kebabs.
Strawberries and Cream
The most traditional British dessert. You just cannot go wrong!
Parks
Why not visit one of the many parks in the area and get the frisbee or football out and create your own games. You could stage your own Olympics, create your own talent contest or have a five aside football competition with your friends. Check out our kids pages for some ideas of things to do through the summer holidays.
Here is a list of the parks and their facilities:
Earlham Park Norwich NR4
Situated to the west of the city adjacent to the University of East Anglia, Earlham is the most natural of Norwich parks, with 88 acres of open maintained grassland sloping down to the River Yare. It is is the largest event park in the city and suitable for major events. It is located three miles from the city centre off the Earlham Road with easy access to the outer ring road.
• a grassed area suitable for parking 1,500 cars
• toilet facilities - 3 female, 1 male plus urinals and one disabled toilet
• café
• Sainsbury Centre Art Gallery and café
• free events
Chapelfield Gardens, Chapelfield Road, Norwich NR2
This formal park is situated in the heart of the city within the inner ring road and easy walking distance of the shops and car parks. It is a popular park for local activities.
• band stand
• power points
• children's play area
• café
• toilets
Mousehold Heath, Guerney Road, Norwich NR1
A large area of natural wood and heathland containing a wealth of wildlife, just east of the city centre. A popular centre for local activities and entertainment offering stunning views across the city from the top of St James’ Hill. Pitch and Putt open from 9am, the last clubs are issued 2½ hours before dusk. Contact Green Spaces on 01603 212212 for further details however there is no need to book to play - just turn up.
• 18 hole pitch and putt
• football pitch
• guided walks
• conservation activities
• free events
Eaton Park, South Park Avenue, Norwich NR4
A large sports park with additional open spaces two miles to the west of the city centre, just off Colman Road. Pitch and Putt open from 9am, the last clubs are issued 2½ hours before dusk. Contact Green Spaces on 01603 212212 for further details however there is no need to book to play - just turn up.
• Bandstand
• Toilets
• Café
• Loads of space for outdoor games
• Large children’s play area
• 18 hole pitch and putt course
• Landscaped gardens
• Tennis courts
• Boating lake
• Skatepark
• Cycle speedway track
Waterloo Park, Angel Road, Norwich NR3
A picturesque formal park two miles north of the city centre. Ideal for theatre performances, small music events, arts, activities and weddings.
• A stage area, bandstand
• Pavilion
• Toilets
• Children's play area.
• Mini golf
• Tennis courts
• Lots of space of outdoor games
Heigham Park, Recreation Road, Norwich NR2
A small formal park two miles to the west of the city centre. Ideal for small scale local events.
• Children's play area
• Grass tennis courts
• Toilets. Ideal for small scale local events
Wensum Park, Drayton Road, Norwich
A lovely riverside park. Ideal for a picnic with the chance to experience some of the local wildlife on the river.
• Children’s play area
• Paddling pool
• No dogs allowed
Whitlingham Country Park, Trowse, NR14
Based around Whitlingham Great Broad and Whitlingham Little Broad, the country park is a superb facility on the edge of the city offering lots of different types of scenery and experiences. You can take part in sports activities or just stroll alongside the river or the broad, or even follow the trail of one of the many walks in the woods.
• Car parking
• Toilets
• Café
• Outdoor education centre with sailing, canoeing, windsurfing and rowing facilities
• Nature trail walks
• Programme of organised events throughout the year
Holkham Hall Park, Holkham
The sweeping Park that surrounds the Hall is home to a herd of about 800 fallow deer.
Visitors have free, unlimited access to the Deer Park, 364 days of the year. It is also possible to walk dogs within the Park, but they must be kept on a lead at all times, to avoid disturbing vulnerable wildlife.
Designated walks allow visitors to explore the 3,000-acres grounds and take a closer look at prominent landmarks, such as the monument to Coke of Norfolk and the Obelisk.
The evergreen Oaks (Quercus Ilex) that are such a feature of the Park, are Mediterranean in origin and were brought to Holkham from Italy.
Gardens
Want to stroll leisurely in Norwich and experience some of the unique environments the area has to offer?
Plantation Garden, 4 Earlham Road, Norwich NR2
Just 600 yards from the City Centre this splendid Victorian Garden is a hidden treasure. Reminiscent of the Secret Garden it has a tranquillity which is perfect to take you away from the bustle of the city. The garden was established 140 years ago in a 3 acre abandoned quarry.
Visit the
Plantation Garden's website
Castle Gardens and Green, Norwich City Centre
The gardens lay in a part of the original castle ditch. Throughout the summer various theatrical productions are staged here.
Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden, School Road, South Walsham NR13
The Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden comprises 53 hectares (131 acres) of beautiful ancient woodland, water gardens and a private broad at South Walsham in the heart of the Norfolk Broads.
The garden was left in trust by the 2nd Lord Fairhaven in 1973, and was opened to the public in 1975. We work hard to preserve and enhance the garden according to Lord Fairhaven’s wishes.
The garden is renowned for its fabulous collection of candelabra primulas – the best naturalised collection in the UK – see them in May.
It is also well known for magnificent Autumn Colours in late October and early November. Whatever the season, Fairhaven offers a great stress-busting experience.
It is open every day of the year except Christmas Day, so there are plenty of opportunities to get away from it all and explore our wonderful woodland walks.
Visit
Fairhaven's website
Raveningham Gardens, Raveningham NR14
Raveningham Gardens, like many great gardens is the work of one person. Priscilla Bacon, lived here for 50 years, and in that time enlarged and enlivened the garden, energetically creating magnificent borders. When she began her gardening campaign in 1950, the Edwardian summerhouse and rosebeds in front of the portico were the only evidence that the garden was more than just an extension to the park.
Her work has been continued and now includes a new herb garden, the newly refurbished walled garden's Victorian conservatory, the planting of an arboretum and the introduction of contemporary sculpture. A lake was created in the park to celebrate the millennium, and the next few years will see improvements to the arboretum and the lake's landscape setting.
Visit
Raveningham Gardens' website
Blickling Hall, Aylsham NR11
This magnificent Jacobean house is a National Trust owned property set in stunning gardens and extensive parkland.
• Restaurant
• Courtyard café
• Toilets
• Shop
• Cycle hire
• Picnic area
• Family activity packs
• Cycle/bridle paths