In our humble opinion, if you are taking the family out for a picnic, you might as well do it the right way. To ensure that it's a fun-filled adventure rather than an annoying experience, preparation is key.

And what better way to start the preparation than by picking the perfect centrepiece for your picnic: the blanket.

With this in mind, we have dissected the mighty rug and looked at all the important features to look for in your outdoor blanket.

It's large.

Few things can ruin a picnic more than trying to cram many accessories and people onto a smallish blanket.

You need space and lots of it. Space for the picnic basket and all of its yummy contents. For the Champagne bucket or drink cooler. For your books, iPads, sunglasses, phones, cameras and all the other items only you can think of. And did we mention people?

As you see, a large picnic blanket is a must for a proper outdoor adventure. That's why all of our rugs measure a healthy 145 x 183cm, providing ample space for a comfortable day on the sun.

It's waterproof.

The unpredictable British weather has been the subject of many fables and for a good reason. A light shower can come down on just about any sunny day and you can't let that ruin an otherwise perfect trip.

Once the rain is over, a picnic blanket with waterproof backing will allow you to enjoy the fresh air straight away.

Not to mention early morning trips when the ground might still be dump from the night before. A waterproof rug will keep you and the kids happy and dry by keeping the moisture and the cold away in any conditions.

It's created for the outdoors.

You want your picnic rug to be created for outdoor use. There is a vast difference between a blanket intended for indoor use and a rug suited for the outdoors.

Picnic rugs have to withstand exposure to sun, dampness from the ground, sand, rocks and all the elements. This requires a rugged structure combined with a surface that is soft to the touch and comfortable to sit on.

Our stylish and comfy outdoor picnic blankets are designed to do just that. Strong and soft at the same time, they will not let you down on any terrain whether it's the beach, a meadow or your backyard.

It's made of wool.

Wool have stood the test of time and it's been used as a material for traditional blankets for centuries. Its unique properties make wool especially suitable for outdoor rugs where exposure to moisture and various surfaces calls for a durable yet soft material.

Wool is UV, fire, odour, stain and wrinkle resistant, 100% biodegradable and recyclable. It's also naturally elastic, breathable, soft on your skin and has insulating properties. That's a long list of benefits to prove why you should invest in a wool picnic blanket.

Just like the ones in our store, created to be your stylish companion on your next outing. Pure new wool rugs in 22 different color variations.

It's machine washable.

Let's be honest, good picnics can often be a little messy. Whether it's the wind knocking over your glass of bubbly, the kids throwing around crackers or grandma's chicken salad, or your ice cream melting too fast under the relentless rays of the sun.

And that was just the upper surface. Sand, dirt, and other things that shall not be named can easily soil the bottom of the rug too. And at the end of a fun-filled trip, cleaning your throw might not be the most desirable thing to do.

This is where a machine washable picnic blanket comes to the rescue. Just shake or brush off the bigger pieces of dirt and stick the blanket into the washing machine on wool cycle. Hang it up to dry when it's done.

See out guide on how to wash your wool blanket here.

It's the best there is.

As you can see, the best picnic blankets have to tick a lot of boxes. It's not just one or two things from the above list you want, it's really all of them.

Satisfying all these requirements is not easy but it's necessary if you want to set the standard for the perfect picnic rug.

This is why we have spent countless hours designing our picnic rugs, testing and evaluating materials and manufacturers, determined not to cut any corners until we have come up with our signature pure new wool picnic blankets.