In search of a delicious picnic hamper, we take a culinary journey through the Peak’s larder of local produce

Great British Life: Perfect for picnics - cooked ham from JW Mettrick, GlossopPerfect for picnics - cooked ham from JW Mettrick, Glossop (Image: Archant)

Mouth-watering Meat

For award-winning local meat to fill your sandwiches, or a homemade pie, a visit to JW Mettrick and Son butchers in Glossop is a must. All meat is sourced from farms in the Peak District and the focus is on quality and traceability. Products include High Peak beef and lamb, chicken, turkey, free-range pork, game and cooked ham. If you’re taking a portable barbecue (make sure you have permission to use it at your chosen picnic site first), they also stock tasty barbecue packs and kebab skewers. 20-22 High Street West, Glossop SK13 8BH, 01457 852239 mettricksbutchers.co.uk

Derbyshire Oatcakes

Oats were a crop that suited the harsh Pennine landscape so Derbyshire Oatcakes have been a local delicacy since the 17th century. They are a cross between a crumpet and a pancake – round, soft, pliable and thicker than those from neighbouring Staffordshire – and can be grilled, fried or used as a wrap with sweet or savoury fillings. Available from the Derby Pyclet Company in Derby Market Hall and Derbyshire Oatcakes in Combs. www.derbyshireoatcakes.co.uk; www.derbypycletcompany.co.uk

Great British Life: Cottage Delight dipping crackers and salsaCottage Delight dipping crackers and salsa (Image: Archant)

Chutneys and Preserves

Condiments can be the magical accessory that transform a good plate of food into a great one. Cottage Delight offers an abundance of award-winning jams, chutneys, preserves, dressings, marinades, pickles and sauces – which can be found at their newly-opened Cottage Kitchen café and farm shop at Winkhill, near Leek. www.cottagedelight.co.uk

Bakewell Pudding

Great British Life: Bakewell PuddingBakewell Pudding (Image: Archant)

No Peak District hamper would be complete without one of the area’s most well known products – Bakewell Pudding. The story goes that the pudding originated by accident almost 150 years ago when the cook at the Rutland Arms made a mistake, inadvertently creating a dessert that was well received by diners. Still made to the original secret recipe, it is on sale at various outlets in the town.

Hartington Cheese

Hartington Creamery is one of just six dairies in the world licensed to make Blue Stilton cheese. The village has long been associated with cheese-making and after the closure of its Long Clawson dairy in 2009, a group of five local entrepreneurs set up Hartington Creamery. Though it may be the smallest Stilton producer in the world, it has won praise and awards for its Peakland White and Peakland Blue cheeses. The Old Cheese Shop in Hartington sells cheese from Hartington Creamery plus award-winning Derbyshire and Staffordshire varieties. The Old Hartington Cheese Shop, Market Place, Hartington, SK17 0AL, 01298 84935, www.hartingtoncheeseshop.co.uk

Great British Life: Fine Cookie Company, Artisan BiscuitsFine Cookie Company, Artisan Biscuits (Image: Archant)

Artisan Biscuits

For that perfect biscuit to accompany your flask of coffee or for crackers to nibble with cheese and a glass of wine, Artisan Biscuits has it covered. Based in Ashbourne but with an international following, Artisan produces a premium of range of sweet and savoury biscuits – all handcrafted and beautifully packaged. 9 Blenheim Road, Ashbourne DE6 1HA, 01335 342373, www.artisanbiscuits.co.uk

Buxton Pudding

Great British Life: Buxton Pudding Company's tea loavesBuxton Pudding Company's tea loaves (Image: Archant)

The ‘grab and go’ tea bread, fruit cakes, custard crumbles and possets made by Furness Vale’s Buxton Pudding Company are great for a picnic. The multi Great Taste Award-winning business was set up by Dom McCall and Alan Hibbert, who are passionate about reviving old recipes and all products are handmade using traditional methods. Many items can be found at Chatsworth Farm Shop, Bon Appetit in Buxton and Harvey Nichols, Manchester. www.buxtonpuddingcompany.co.uk

A Lovely Loaf

For stand-out sandwiches, freshly-baked bread is essential. Live Love Loaf in Leek is an artisan bakery that uses the best organic stone-ground flour to create a unique range of bread including fig and black pepper varieties, beetroot bread, ale and walnut bread and focaccia topped with olives and rosemary. 3 Bath Street, Leek, Staffs ST13 6JQ, 01538 529613, www.liveloveloaf.net

Brock and Morten Oil

Ideal for drizzling on salads, Brock and Morten’s Rapeseed Oil is grown and produced by the Brocklehurst family on their farm in Ashford-in-the-Water. Low in saturated fat and with 10 times more omega 3 than olive oil, the oils can be used for roasting, baking and stir-frying and varieties include basil, lemon and chilli. www.brockandmorten.com

Dairy Delights

For local dairy products to fill your hamper, visit Tideswell-based Peak District Dairy. They stock a range of English and Continental cheeses, free-range eggs, fresh bread and, if you’re taking a cooler on your picnic, there’s cream, yoghurts and over 30 flavours of ice cream. All are available at the farm shop and café in the village. Sherwood Road, Tideswell SK17 8HR, 01298 871786, peakdistrictdairy.co.uk

Holdsworth Chocolates

No picnic hamper would be complete without something for dessert and these luxury handmade chocolates from Bakewell come in assorted, mixed flavour boxes. They are Britain’s best-selling entirely handmade chocolates and the range includes over 70 truffles, pralines and creams, with varieties such as English Rose Cream and Chocolate Dipped Ginger. For local stockists visit www.holdsworthchocolates.co.uk

Ashbourne Gingerbread

According to local lore the original recipe for Ashbourne Gingerbread was acquired from French prisoners of war who were kept in the town during the Napoleonic wars (1799-1815). Today Ashbourne Gingerbread is made at Spencer’s Bakery and though their Market Place shop closed in 2012, Ashbourne Gingerbread can be purchased locally.

Buxton Water

Buxton’s spring water is one of the most widely consumed bottled waters in the country – ideal for adding some natural refreshment to your picnic. Famed since Roman times for the quality of its waters, the town regained prominence as a source of mineral water in the late 1980s. Buxton Water is now owned by Nestlé Waters and is still bottled from the source in the town. www.buxtonwater.co.uk