Researchers took an in-depth look at the picnic blankets of the nation and discovered that cured hams, such as Serrano or Parma, (27 percent) and hummus (24 percent) top a list of modern-day picnic essentials.

Home baked loaves of bread also featured in the list of likely picnic items (21 percent), along with kalamata olives (20 percent) and slices of rare roast beef (14 percent), all washed down with an artisan lemonade, ginger beer - or a crisp Italian wine such as a Gavi di Gavi.

In fact, almost three quarters (72 percent) think the modern British picnic is better than ever.

But when it comes to some of the quintessentially British picnic items that are on the way out, traditional jam sandwiches are considered passè by 32 percent, followed by hard-boiled eggs (26 percent), shop bought scotch eggs (25 percent), and cartons of cocktail sausages (24 percent).

In fact, huge 60 percent of the 2,000 respondents surveyed, said they have made a concerted effort to upgrade their picnics in recent summers, a figure that increases to 74 percent of 16 - 29 year olds.

More than a third (37 percent) admitted to getting competitive when it comes to picnic spreads, with 59 percent confessing that their parents think their picnics are overly extravagant.

And it does seem the lengths that people go to are impressive to say the least. More than a quarter (26 percent) make sandwiches from homemade bread, while the same amount said they bake all their own cakes.

A quarter will always bring selection of local artisan cheeses, the same number insist on using a proper traditional wicker hamper, and a quarter will go to the effort of making homemade sausage rolls, pastry and all.

24 percent said they make their own quiche, 21 percent will bake a honey coated a ham, and 15 percent bring their own homemade lemonade.

While a fifth (21 percent) of Brits splash out on expensive deli meats, more than one in 10 (12 percent) make sure there were vegan options available - and eight percent go entirely plant based.

A spokesperson for Flora, which commissioned the study to celebrate the announcement that all of its spreads are now 100% plant-based, said: “Picnics are an absolute staple of the Great British summertime, and it’s fascinating to see how they are evolving into a more lavish occasion.

“As the public indulge in homemade sandwiches, they can rest assured a dash of Flora’s 100% plant-based spread is the perfect partner. What’s more, it can be used in cooking to create delicious homemade treats and help picnickers embrace a plant-based menu from quiche to cakes, to make a statement with their fellow diners”.

The study found that, when it comes to drinks, one in ten picnic snobs think that Prosecco is now not cool enough for their al-fresco dining.

Modern Brits who enjoy a drink will instead go the extra mile by bringing their own homebrew to picnics (eight percent), and even packing a bottle or two of their homemade wine (seven percent).

The survey also found that traditional games are still the number one activity for British picnics, with almost 43 percent saying they would take a football for entertainment and 36 percent always bringing their frisbee.

A quarter (25 percent) take a rounders or cricket bat, but a tech-minded 14 percent said they’d pack their iPad, 11 percent would bring their laptop, 10 percent a games console and 9 percent a drone.

Almost a third (32 percent) added that bluetooth speakers are a picnic essential.

Some 47 percent of Brits prefer to have the event in the countryside, 46 percent chose a park and 42 percent would like to tuck in on a beach.

On average Brits have 5.9 picnics each summer, with Plymouth making picnic-capital of the country as residents enjoy a massive 8.1.

Buttermere, in the Lake District (nine percent) topped the list for best picnic spot, closely followed by Richmond Park, London (seven percent) and Devon’s Dartmoor (six percent.

The study also found that a sun-worshipping 46 percent of us believe food is better as we bask in the sunshine, while 37 percent added that it simply tastes better outdoors.

The average Brit will spend £30 on food for a picnic and spend 53 minutes preparing the food for an event.

Items of picnic past
1. Jam sandwiches - 32 percent
2. Hard boiled eggs – 26 percent
3. Shop bought scotch eggs – 25 percent
4. Cartons of cocktail sausages – 23 percent
5. Pork pies - 21 percent
5. Cans of lager – 21 percent
6. Chicken drumsticks – 19 percent
7. Quiche – 17 percent
7. Sausage rolls – 17 percent
8. Shop bought coleslaw - 16 percent
9. Iceberg lettuce - 15 percent
10. White rolls – 14 percent

Picnic items of today
1. Artisan Lemonade - 32
2. Cured hams (Parma, serrano) – 27 percent
3. Sandwiches made with sourdough bread – 25 percent
4. Hummus – 21 percent
5. Flatbreads – 21 percent
6. Homemade bread – 21 percent
7. Kalamata olives – 20 percent
8. Champagne – 15 percent
9. Italian wines – 14 percent
9. Rare roast beef - 14 percent
10. Ginger beer – 13 percent

(source: Flora, image: pexels)