This year, Fortnum & Mason will be providing picnis for the very first time at Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials. Visitors will be able to enjoy their Fortnum’s picnics this September in the stunning grounds of the UNESCO World Heritage site at Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire, 19 – 22 Sept.
A fixture in Piccadilly since 1707, Fortnum & Mason is renowned for its extraordinary food, famous teas, and iconic wicker hampers. Crafted with the very best seasonal ingredients and wines from Fortnum’s famous Food Halls, and packed with summer-ready tipples, all picnics are perfectly prepared for two and will be available to pre-order for our guests to collect from the Fortnum’s Giant Hamper, in the grounds of Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials.
Guests can enjoy four different picnic options: The Fortnum’s Picnic, The Fortnum’s Garden Picnic, The Fortnum’s Feast and The Fortnum’s Garden Feast. The Fortnum’s Picnic features grilled chicken escalope with lemon caper sauce, rocket & shaved parmesan, celeriac remoulade and pink fir potato salad whilst the Fortnum’s Feast includes rare roast beef with tarragon dressing & peashoots alongside chilli & dill prawns with compressed cucumber & herby dressing. Those opting for the vegetarian options can enjoy Cajun spiced cauliflower tacos & pomegranate with cashew nut dip in The Fortnum’s Garden Picnic, or indulge in the Fortnum’s Garden Feast which boasts balsamic onion, leek & stilton tart with Cornish leaves & Piccadilly dressing, finished off with chocolate mousse with blueberry compote, fresh raspberries & cocoa nibs. These delicious picnics can be washed down with Fortnum’s Pays D’Oc Blanc or Fortnum’s Perricone, though guests can also opt for Fortnum & Mason’s champagne for an extra treat.
Harri Le Seelleur French, Senior Events Partnerships Manager at Fortnum & Mason comments, “Offering our picnic hampers at the horse trials is an exciting opportunity for us. Our penchant for picnics began in the 18th century when the then-fledgling company began to supply hunters and travellers with baskets of provisions for their journeys. Fortnum’s encourages joyful living, and what could be more joyous than soaking up the action at Blenheim, feasting on a picnic prepared by Fortnum & Mason.”
Event Organiser Katrina Midgley adds, “We are delighted that our visitors will get to relish these luxury picnics whilst enjoying everything going on at the horse trials. The wonderful fresh ingredients that make up the picnic menus sound fantastic and offer an indulgent experience to those who purchase the picnics.”
Picnics can be pre-ordered through the box office here.
The Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials have been a highlight of the equestrian calendar for over three decades. Set in the stunning surroundings of Blenheim Palace, the event attracts riders and spectators from around the world to enjoy world-class equestrian competition and a range of family-friendly activities.
About Blenheim Palace
Blenheim Palace has been home to the Dukes of Marlborough since 1705, the Oxfordshire Estate was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.
Set in over 2,000 acres of ‘Capability’ Brown landscaped parkland and designed by Vanbrugh in the Baroque style, Blenheim Palace is also the birthplace of one of Britain’s most famous leaders, Sir Winston Churchill and it was his father who described the vista, on entering the Estate from the village of Woodstock, as the ‘finest view in England’.
About Fortnum & Mason
Fortnum & Mason is essential for anyone in search of extraordinary food, joy-giving things, unforgettable experiences, and exceptional service. First founded in London in 1707, after Queen Anne gave her footman William Fortnum permission to sell on discarded candles from St James’s Palace, Fortnum’s has forged a close relationship with the British Royal household ever since. Fortnum & Mason has held several warrants throughout its history, including one from Her late Majesty, The Queen and HM The King, when Prince of Wales.
A London retail institution and pioneer in the hospitality sector, innovation has always been a central pillar at Fortnum’s. From inventing the Scotch Egg and providing supplies to the 1922 Everest expedition, to beekeeping in Piccadilly’s rooftop hives and launching the Food & Drink Awards to celebrate people and talent, Fortnum’s has been a trusted disruptor and authority in the food & drink space, at home and internationally, from the very beginning. Only last year, Fortnum’s opened a creative hub on its third floor in Piccadilly, dedicated to the search for extraordinary food and drink experiences. The new floor, which features as AV enabled hybrid kitchen and studio alongside an open-view distillery, is a wholly interactive space where customers can engage with a series of bookable events hosted by Fortnum’s chefs as well as emerged and established food pioneers from around the globe.
Every year, millions of people from around the world visit the Piccadilly flagship to enjoy Fortnum’s famous Afternoon Tea and shop its extraordinary offer of food, gifts, homeware, beauty and accessories. The iconic brand is celebrated for its teas, Scotch eggs, hand-made chocolates, and wicker hampers – each of which plays a large part in its centuries of history – and today remains committed to imagination and discovery.
Proud of its storied past and innovating still, Fortnum’s mission remains to make joy for every customer, whether they’re shopping in-store or from around the world via www.fortnumandmason.com. Follow Fortnum’s on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and TikTok (@fortnums).
