With space at a premium in our car, what with a toddler and all the associated gear, this was good news.
We unveiled the table from its box to be greeted with a striking faux Scandinavian pine design. The designers might be a few years off perfecting faux wood on plastic but it was somehow preferable to the usual flat blues and greens you usually find on plastic camping equipment.
Unfolding the Dawson is a breeze (as it should be) and locking the legs in position is simply a matter of sliding the plastic clips down into position.
The table and seats feel safe and secure enough to comfortably bear the weight of four people plus food without fear of it all collapsing beneath you.
The size of the table top is a good compromise between usability and portability but bear in mind that you will need to bring an additional table for your stove if you're planning on seating more than two people.
The quality of the plastic seemed good enough and the aluminium casing around the table top and seats add a more premium feel and should help with durability.
Once folded the table is secured with simple but effective metal clips with the quality carry handles making it easy to lug back to the car.
Overall the Outwell Dawson picnic table is a great family weekend picnic table if space is at a premium.