The Top Nine Items For Your UK Packing List

During our UK honeymoon in 2012, my husband and I had many a moment where we said “I wish I had not… ” or “I wish I had brought with me…”. Knowing what to pack when travelling to the UK can mean a smooth, stress-free trip or one where you are scrambling to find that one thing that you really need.

So taking care to prepare a UK packing list is all part of your trip planning process.

Before you think I’m being too nit-picky about this one point of planning a trip to London or the UK in general, I’ll tell you about our experience.

Prior to our wedding and honeymoon, we quickly packed what we thought would be needed. Being rushed and stressed, we were missing key items. They would have made our trip much easier. And some things that we packed, we should have just left behind. For example, the big heavy tripod that my husband had to lug around. Not the best way to start off a marriage – with a sore back!

I’ve always been the type to pack everything and anything that may possibly be needed on a trip. However, for our honeymoon trip, even I made a few omissions that could have been useful. Very unusual for the woman who plans trips to the final detail!

So in retrospect, here is a list of five things for your London packing list or larger UK packing list, based on our experiences. We don’t want you to make the same mistakes.

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1 // Footwear Is Important

When you’re making a London packing checklist, add a pair of stylish but comfortable walking shoes to the list. The key reason for this is the perception you create with your footwear.

If you’re planning to stay at a five-star hotel, sneakers or hiking shoes will not cut it. Instead, invest in more stylish walking shoes. You can get away with the sneakers or hiking shoes or boots if you plan to stay in hostels or 2-, 3-or 4-star hotels. However, some fancier, stuffier luxury hotels may have security and staff that may think you don’t own a dime unless you are wearing what may seem to be a luxury brand.

So if you want respect, remember that style is important and pack appropriately. Or just book yourself into hotels known to be accepting of tourists that dress for the role.

2 // Pack Your Camera & Accessories

You are bound to take photos.  Many photos! One of the key things to add to your UK packing list is all the items you will need to make sure you capture every moment.

If you’re using a real camera and not your smartphone camera, you’ll need a few items. Extra memory cards are a must if you plan to shoot everything you see. I like to bring at least three to four, depending on how long I will be exploring.

Bring along a maximum of two lenses if you have a DSLR. They do get heavy. I like to bring a telephoto zoom lens (for getting up close to details when you’re dealing with crowds), and one prime lens (usually a 35 mm). And of course, don’t forget to bring an extra battery for a quick switch out and the adapter.

Unless you are a professional photographer, leave the large tripod at home. Instead, bring a small one that’s easily packable and doesn’t weigh a tonne. A tripod adds extra weight to your suitcase, and could easily be replaced during your trip with a bottle or two of good Scotch whiskey.

3 // UK Adapter

Speaking of gadgets, this one will be very useful in case you find yourself in a hotel where there isn’t one on hand. So this is a must for your checklist when travelling to London or anywhere else in the UK.

A UK adapter (three-pronged plug) is a must. You can easily purchase this adapter in any travel store or online.

If you forget to purchase and bring a UK adapter with you, you can find them at the airport but they will usually be marked up significantly. Save yourself some money and buy it in advance.

4 // Remember Your Passport & Travel Passes

If you’ve planned out your trip and have pre-purchased BritRail passes and other special tickets, don’t forget to bring them with you! Adding this to your UK Holiday packing list is so important and can save you a whole lot of money.

Paying full price for train tickets can get super expensive, particularly if you travel first class to accommodate your luggage. We learned this the hard way when my husband forgot to pack the passes before our wedding. We ended up paying full price, all over again (almost CAD $1000).

Also, don’t forget to bring any tourist city passes that you’re pre-paid. They can help shave off a few pounds that can total enough for a nice meal and beverage.

And of course, don’t arrive at the airport without your passport!

Use a cute, fancy pouch to keep all your tickets in one place in your main carry-on bag.

A trick I like to use to remember anything I need is a running checklist that I keep adding to as I plan my trip. This way, I can check off everything as I pack.

5 // A Mini Umbrella Is A Must

A no brainer for your UK packing list. Bring a mini-umbrella or a waterproof jacket with you. This is the UK. It’s inevitable that you will get rain or drizzle a couple of days a week if not more.

During our 2012 honeymoon trip, we had the luck of the area receiving more rain than usual. Some parts of the UK were flooded.

7 // Plan To Layer

Bring sweaters and long-sleeved tops for layering. A large wool shawl is also useful to keep away the chill or to use as a pillow when scrunched up. It’s approximately 330 miles (530 km) between London and Edinburgh. The more north you go, the chillier it can get.

Heading into the Scottish Highlands you also have to deal with cooler temperatures due to elevation. So bringing along sweaters and long-sleeve tops is a MUST. And if you plan on heading up Aonach Mor (by Ben Nevis, and 4,006 ft above sea level) or do some hiking on a munro, be prepared for a chilly wind.

It can be cool even in London in the summer time. You may be leaving behind 25 C weather in Canada, heading into 15 C weather in London. BRRRR!

See how bundled up I am? It was a slightly breezy, very chilly morning on Loch Ness in Scotland at 10 C in early May. It felt like 2 C with the wind chill. In this photo I have a long sleeve top, snug Roots zip-up hoodie and a windbreaker on and I was still cold!  Layering is a must in the UK.

8 // A Travel Journal & Pen

I love to record my adventures, so a journal and pen are tops on my UK Holiday packing list. There is always something interesting you’ll see while walking down a street in the UK. Or somebody interesting you’ll meet. Write down your stories! Memories fade over time. If you’re travelling with somebody, like your spouse or friend, they may remember some things you don’t. But they may not either.

So write down what you’ve done and seen. Tape tickets and other mementos into your pages. They add to the story and become a quasi-scrapbook. If you have an instant camera, take an extra photo for your travel journal.

Tape a copy of your itinerary in your journal as well, in case you lose the original along the way.

Related: 101 Things To Do While Waiting For A Flight

9 // A Great Attitude

The most important thing to add to your UK packing list is something super lightweight.

A good attitude! You are on vacation and exploring a different country.

Yes, the language spoken is English but the traditions and ways of doing things (like driving on the opposite side of the road) are different.

Ordering food in a pub is different than in Canada or the US. Remember to go up to the bar to put in your order. Don’t grumble about bad service.

And get past the rainy and often gloomy days. They are perfect for taking moody photos.

Your UK Packing List

So enjoy your trip to London, Bath, York, Edinburgh or wherever you’re heading in the UK. Enjoy and bring back memories!

Now get planning and prepare your UK Holiday packing list!

QUESTION: In your opinion what should you pack for a trip to the UK? I’d love input from people living in the UK – what do you think visitors to your country should be prepared for when touring the country?

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