The great outdoors

The Bull and Last picnic hamper
Location: Parliament Hill
Rating: Four stars

We've been very lucky with the weather recently, haven't we? The sun has continued to pelt its rays upon us over the Easter and Royal wedding weekends, in the hottest April since records began - leaving us with absolutely nothing to moan about....hmmm I knew there was something missing from my life.

My tendency for whining aside, making the most of this rare weather and stocking up on vitamin D feels almost mandatory. And with so much of our lives spent eating, there's nothing better than tucking into some great food, while feeling the warm beam of the sun on your face. Eating Al Fresco on a restaurant patio is fine, but in London this can result in respiratory diseases from the gluttony of cars spewing fumes in your direction. So instead, why not pack yourself a picnic and head to your nearest Royal Park?

Ahh, you're probably thinking, this sounds fine in theory, but the problem with making your own picnic is that unless your happy with a packet of Mr Porky's, it can all be a bit too much like hard work. And after all, we are meant to be enjoying the sun and not slaving away in the kitchen, aren't we?

But fret not, there is an alternative, thanks to the clever people at The Bull and Last.

This delightful pub, which serves some of the most scrumptious pub food in north London, is now offering pre-prepared picnics.

They're reasonably priced too, at £28 a picnic, which contains more than enough grub for two people. And if you do want to stretch the picnic for more, or you're just very greedy, you can add one or several delicious side dishes, from potted shrimp and croutes to strawberries and chantilly cream, which all come in at around a fiver.

The main picnic itself comprises of a scotch egg (the best I've had) and sausage roll, ham hock terrine and cornichons, purple sprouting broccoli, goats cheese and hazelnut quiche, a beautiful salad with balsamic onions, bleu d'Auvergne cheese with oatcakes, home made bread, extra moist carrot cake fingers, and to wash it all down, a bottle of mineral water and real lemonade.

All of this is packed in a traditional wicker hamper with crockery and cutlery, accompanied by a map of Hampstead Heath and a picnic blanket.

As this is the first weekend The Bull and Last has begun to offer picnics there were a couple of teething problems, such as the hamper's handle breaking half-way up the Heath and cups were no where to be found. However, I'm sure these problems will be quickly ironed out and their mouth-watering food more than made up for these small inconveniences.

It does feel slightly self-indulgent to have a picnic pre-prepared for you - but what's wrong with that? So the next time the sun is out and you feel like spoiling yourself, stuff the spa and order yourself a hamper from The Bull and Last. You won't be disappointed. www.thebullandlast.co.uk/news