Decent picnicware - pref melamine and enamel

[hillbilly]

I'm looking for nice plates and bowls and most of the stuff I'm coming across is either super expensive or cheap and naff. All our old stuff is breaking and I want something that will last. DH wants enamel which I said I would get a few of but no good for hot meals for the kids as will burn their laps!

My DH hates our enamel stuff with a passion as it's so hard to get properly dry...washing up duties are his when we camp!! We have the Outwell melamine stuff which is fine but the mugs discolour really quickly.

I've also been on the lookout for stuff, what about anorak.co.uk?

Thanks CC - I'm not a fan of anorak - a bit to twee for me. I'm leaning towards these bright yellow ones from John Lewis at the moment but hoped there might be something more interesting out there

Emma Bridgewater? www.emmabridgewater.co.uk/en/uk/melamine-tableware/icat/meloffer

Emma Bridgewater far too expensive for me but thanks for the suggestion!

I love metal plates. You can get all sorts of gorgeous tin plates from the british Museum, in all sorts of designs, eg this one: www.britishmuseumshoponline.org/invt/cmcd29390/?ref=searchzone

My very favourite enamel plates, bowls and mugs are from the Polar museum in Cambridge - scroll down and you will see the Terra Nova tableware, as used by Scott of the Antarctic: www.spri.cam.ac.uk/shop/mugs/

BHS?

janinlondon - I was looking at the BHS ones until I realised that the plates I liked were only side plates. Anyway I now gone ahead and ordered them along with bowls and cups. We still have some bigger plates that will do for now. Not sure how butterflies will go down with DH and DS though

I've found a range that's reconstituted bamboo!! Will report back when I've tested it. £24.99 for a set of four mugs, plates,bowls and side plates.

ColourWorks do some melamine plates, dishes etc, no ditsy patterns, just bright strong colours and a good price.

CampingClaire - are the bamboo ones not intended to be more or less disposable?

Looks like you are sorted, hillbilly - but for anyone else looking I have a selection of shiny stainless steel plates and beakers etc from the v cheap Indian shops in Tooting.

But overall I have a right rag baggy old mismatched selection - enamel, shiny steel, coloured enamel, and a set of trendy plastic tumblers from Waitrose.

I looked at the bamboo range in various places but was put off when it said wipe clean

Eek...just read your replies...I'm off to investigate. Sure that the blurb said suitable for 40 degree wash. Would hope it wasn't meant to be binned at £24.99!!

Nope...says dishwasher proof to 40 degrees and since I don't have the dishwasher when I'm camping I guess they're even safer!! Unfortunately I seem to only find them in a trade catalogue...which is fine for me...if they're any good I'll get them for my site and then others will be able to buy them too!! Off to order, will use them lots and report back!

Hills - I was in BHS recently and they had a much wider range than they have on the website......if that's any use to you!

Well it's very strange but I went back on the site to show someone today and lo and behold there were the dinner plates. So I have ordered them as well. Also got the metal drinks dispenser which will replace my collapsible water carrier which I hate.