An instance of freak weather is never enough to dampen the British spirit. Although a recent storm at Watergate Bay in Cornwall caused Fortnum & Mason’s Eau de Nil coloured Beach Huts to close due to cosmetic damage, the good news is they are now back open, ready for guests to enjoy.
With a hamper in tow and a liberal dose of British resolve, local tradespeople have been working to repair the three Eau de Nil Beach Huts, which are now open. To cater for customer demand, a further three weeks of bookings will now be available. The huts will be open until the 30th of September, allowing guests to make full use of what remains of the British summer.
Whatever the weather, visitors can once again settle into the seaside comfort of their Fortnum’s beach hut and enjoy a chef-curated picnic menu from Emily Scott Food – featuring the best fresh dishes from independent Cornish suppliers and Fortnum’s picnic products.
As before, two picnic menus will be available, designed for either two or four people, with guests having the choice of either the Seaside Picnic – which includes crab sandwiches with summer tomatoes paired with shallots & basil – or the indulgent Seaside Feast with lobster and black truffle and Scotch eggs paired with salad cream and pickled mustard seeds.
The themed beach huts have been designed exclusively by Fortnum’s and are kitted out with handpicked homeware, including beautiful rugs and blankets for guests to keep warm on chillier summer days. Every beach hut will enjoy the very best hospitality, including a pre-set picnic table, complete with stylish tableware and table service.
Available for bookings from Tuesday, the 22nd of August, visitors can choose between two picnic options:
Seaside Picnic, priced at £195/two people or £295/four people.
To start, indulge in Smoked Cornish trout with crème fraiche and ale-infused treacle bread, followed by a Coronation crab sandwich with rocket, summer tomatoes and shallots and basil, served alongside new potatoes with chives and wholegrain mustard.
Enjoy Earl Grey tea soft serve ice cream with pink grapefruit curd and Cornish Cheddar Truckle served with Fortnum’s Honey & Sauternes Savour and Walnut & Seed Crackers. In the hamper will be a bottle of Fortnum & Mason Sparkling Tea with the store’s famous Pistachio & Clotted Cream Biscuits, Fortnum’s 181 Sauce, and a box of Original Cheese Sablés.
The Seaside Feast, priced at £295/two people or £395/four people.
To start, indulge in Smoked Cornish trout, Exmoor caviar, crème fraiche, and ale-infused treacle bread. This will be followed by Coronation crab sandwiches with rocket, served alongside half a local lobster, black truffle mayo, scotch eggs with salad cream, pickled mustard seeds, and Fortnum’s 181 Sauce.
Mains will also include sides of summer tomatoes, shallots, basil, and new potatoes served with chives and wholegrain mustard. For pudding, enjoy Earl Grey tea soft serve ice cream with pink grapefruit curd and a cheese course of Fortnum & Mason Cheddar Truckle and Fortnum’s Honey & Sauternes Savour, served alongside Walnut & Seed Crackers.
To accompany your meal, a bottle of Fortnum & Mason Sparkling Tea will also be included in the hamper, as well as the store’s famous Pistachio & Clotted Cream Biscuits, Fortnum’s 181 Sauce, Strawberry & Champagne Jam, Pates de Fruits, and a box of Original Cheese Sablés.
10% of all profits will be donated to Chefs in Schools, a charity chosen personally by Emily as one of their recently appointed ambassadors, that works to help schools completely transform the standards of school food and food education.
Running until the 30th of September, the Fortnum & Mason beach huts will be open for bookings between Tuesday and Saturday with four-time slots per day: 12-2.30 pm, 2.45-5.15 pm, 5.30-8.15 pm, or 8.30 pm – sunset.
Each beach hut will be available to book for two and a half hours upon purchasing a hamper experience. Please note that the physical hamper is not included in the picnic package and must be returned after use.
For those who are unable to secure one, Fortnum & Mason deck chairs can also be hired on the beach, created exclusively for Fortnum by Business & Pleasure Co.
For more information and pricing and to make a booking, visit www.emilyscottfood.com/fortnum-mason.
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