One of the very best things about the summer is, surely, being able to eat al fresco. Not only is it sublime to feel the rays and soak up some vitamin D while we break bread and shoot the breeze together, but it also gives us a nudge to take extra care over and pride in our table. After all, if you’re going to do, it may as well be done properly. Cut flowers from the garden, our prettiest carafes and an array of mismatched cutlery set the scene – but first things first: the all-important tablecloth. There is something dreamily romantic about setting a garden table with a proper cloth, whether in fresh stripes, soft muted linens or florals to riff on the blooms in the garden. This is our top pick of tablecloths for summer, starting at £19.

By Nancy Alsop
July 2023