There are many reasons why more and more people are choosing to take a staycation. The financial crisis, difficulties in actually getting away, good weather all play a major part, but also the fact that, frankly, the UK has some excellent places to visit.
Holidaying in the UK has many benefits, but to really make the most of your time away, it is essential that you pack properly. Ensuring that you take the right items for your holiday is important, and, whilst not necessarily being the be-all and end-all of your holiday, it will certainly save you money if you don’t need to buy items that you have forgotten!
Packing for a Staycation: Our Top Tips
If you are thinking about taking a holiday with us here at National Holidays, you will have a good amount of luggage space that you can take with you. Regardless of how much space you have been given, it is important that you think about what you are going to take with you, and this guide gives you some of our top tips for staycation packing.
1. Pack Clothes for the Changing Weather
If there’s one thing that we can rely on about British weather, it’s that it is unreliable! Regardless of the weather forecast, we have all come to expect the unexpected, and not having the best clothes for the weather can affect your enjoyment of your holiday.
They say that “there’s no such thing as bad weather, just the wrong clothes”, be prepared in advance by bringing clothes that are appropriate for changing weather.
2. With Shoes, Comfort is Key
Whether you are going hiking in The Highlands of Scotland, thrill-seeking at Alton Towers, or having fun in Blackpool, you will be glad to have been reminded to take comfortable shoes with you. Staycations will often mean a fair amount of walking, exploring, or adventuring, so the last thing that you will want is sore feet – think of everything that you would miss out on! Make sure that you take some trainers, and maybe some flip flops to ensure that you’re comfortable.
3. A Backpack Is Invaluable
The likelihood is that you will want to carry some food, maybe a drink, a phone charger, an umbrella, or a sun hat when you are on your travels. Instead of struggling with all your bits and bobs, we recommend that you take a backpack to enable you to carry everything on your back, with the least amount of hassle.
4. An Umbrella Should Always Be in Your Suitcase
As discussed in No.1, in the UK, we are never far from a rain shower! The weather is often even more changeable in places such as The Lake District, so popping an umbrella into your bag is definitely recommended.
5. Factor in Downtime: Books & Music
Travelling can be tiring for all of the family. There will be times when you just want some downtime and so we recommend taking a book or music to occupy you during your quiet time. You could also consider taking your streaming device, a deck of cards, or a travel-sized board game to keep you occupied.
6. Don’t Forget Toiletries
Make sure that you pack adequate amounts of your toiletries for the time that you are away – your fellow companions will certainly thank you! If space is an issue, you can buy miniature versions of toiletries that fit into a wash bag, but we say that it is always good to take a bit extra so that you can share with a friend if they forget theirs!
7. Local Guidebooks
Local guidebooks are an excellent source of information about where you are visiting. Even if you are on one of our coach trips with a set itinerary, a local guidebook is a great way to read up about where you are going and give you a more in-depth idea about the places that you are visiting so you have some extra ideas of what to do and see during your time at leisure.
8. Don’t Forget Your Chargers
We use our smartphones for so much more these days than just making telephone calls. Perhaps you need to keep in touch with people, would like to listen to some music stored on your phone, or are using it to take photos and videos. It would be extremely annoying if you could not charge it! Don’t forget your chargers!
9. Reusable Water Bottles
Staying well-hydrated is important, especially during the summer. Instead of worrying about where you are going to get a drink, take a reusable water bottle that you can fill up before you leave the hotel or at one of the many water stations that we now have in the UK.
10. Miscellaneous Items
In addition to the tips above, you should also consider taking some other miscellaneous items. These include:
- A bag for dirty laundry
- Your medication
- Headphones
- Sun cream
- Power bank
- Sunglasses
Pack for a Staycation with National Holidays
Britain has a wide range of staycation destinations to visit, and here at National Holidays, we can facilitate the whole trip for you. Whether you are looking for a fun family time away, or a trip to one of the Royal Family’s favourite castles, we can organise the trip, entrance, and a great place to stay for you.