Kubb, or as the German’s call it ‘Viking chess’, is one of the most civil and satisfying pursuits one can partake in on a warm summer’s day.

For much of the British population, rounders is the picnic game of choice.

Pop down a blanket, have a cold meat lunch and then whack a few tennis balls into the thicket, or so the theory goes.

The problem with rounders however, and where Kubb comes into its own, is the levels of exertion required. Field too lackadaisically and the momentum shifts irreversibly to the batsmen, rendering the game a dull whitewash. Field with the appropriate amount of vigour, and the gentle summertime picnic reverie is broken. There is no winning. Unless you play Kubb.

Kubb is a Swedish lawn game in which the objective is to knock over wooden blocks (kubbs) by throwing wooden batons (kastpinnar).

Play takes place on a small rectangular field with five kubbs placed at both ends of the pitch and the king - a large kubb-like block - sat proudly in the middle. The player must launch their kastpinnar at the opposing player’s kubbs. If they successfully knock enough down, a chance to topple the king arises, followed by victory.

The pleasure here is several fold. As anyone who has stacked a chain of dominoes or played giant Jenga will know, arranging things and then knocking them over is very satisfying. Kubb allows for this. It also provides one of nature’s finest sounds, the deep chime of wood thwacking wood.

Its strongest quality however, is its civil nature. Kubb players, who increasingly can be spotted tossing kastpinnar in the parks of London thanks to Scandi-shops such as Clas Ohlson, will often play bare footed while holding a gin and tonic.