Picnic baskets

In the 20th century, new modes of transport (trains, bicycles, and motor cars) made the countryside accessible to a greater number of the population.

Not long after, their popularity had grown so much that specialist picnic baskets were produced, and the contents became more standardized. Today, olives, focaccia, and white wine are more likely to be found in a picnic basket rather than cold tongue, cress sandwiches, and ginger beer.