UK Packing List (10 - 14 days)

   The idea is to travel light and handwash often. You can make 2-3 bottoms and 4-5 tops look like a lot of outfits, especially when you’re moving around.  Choose a basic neutral & 1–2 accents. Layer. The UK is wet $ often cool, even in summer. For cold weather, add gloves & silk longjohns.  Have 2 pr shoes.  Casual is good, but the British notice how you look, especially at dinner.  Neat, not scruffy.  Much of this stuff can be bought wherever you travel, but who wants to use valuable sightseeing time looking for Sudafed? 

Part 1 is suitcase.  Part 2 is medical supplies.  Part 3 is important papers.  Part 4 is packing tips.  Part 5 is carryon.

KEY:   
• Wear   #Her bag (max 25 lbs, chk)   @His bag (chk)       *Buy   **Pack wherever

Part 1

She:
Carry-on size bag/backpack, with wheels and combination lock (cable ties for plane)

• Raincoat with hood - lightweight (Goretex?) one that folds up small. Doubles as robe, cold weather gear

•hat/cap

#vest, cardigan, jacket, flannel shirt or microfleece layer.  Can wear under raincoat as a liner. 

# skirt (dark):  optional; nice if you like skirts.  Cooler than pants   

•cotton pants, twill, knit or jeans (blk):  harder to wash, but comfy

#Nice long pants or convertible pants (legs zip off to make shorts), dark microfiber or supplex. Dockers?

• blk longsleeve/3/4 sleeve shirt/tee:  versatile, doesn’t show dirt or wrinkles; can look dressy

#shortsleeve shirt/tee:  no-iron or silk

#patterned shirt/tee (1-2, SS/LS):  doesn’t show dirt, stains; good for train rides involving eating

#1-2 SS tees: Coolmax? For cool tops  or layering. Replace with souvenir tees?

•blk belt ?

•blk sneakers or walking shoes, broken in

#blk lightweight flats or sandals (broken in).  Waterproof sandals OK for shower

#shower shoes:  if no sandals; else, there’s a fungus among us.  Magellans’ Ultrasoles weigh ounces

#silk or cotton scarves:  for dress-up or bad hair day

•bandanna:  neckwarmer, headscarf, ear protector, napkin, tablecloth, compress, dust mask, sun/sleep mask, seating mat, towel, washcloth, scrub rag, bandage, tourniquet, hot pad, cold/wet compress, carry sack

#watch with alarm; 2 pr earrings

#swimsuit: Maybe in hot weather. Doubles as a tank top

•#3-4 undies:  wash out at night.  Pantiliners help.

•#2-3 bras:  wash out at night

•#4 socks:  acrylic or Smartwool;  wash at night (may take a while to dry).  Liner socks are also nice.

#2 stockings/tights:  optional; black tights are versatile

#gown/PJs:  at least knee-length, print you can’t see through;  doubles as down-the-hall robe

#extra glasses:  or at least your prescription.  This is important.

#passport Xeroxes.  One with friend at home, one in suitcase, separate from actual passport.

#hairdryer ?:  3-star hotels furnish them. Buy a British/European one at an apothecary. 1 per couple

#Brit./European plug, if needed. 1 per couple.  #Brit/Eur. extension cord:  buy there; optional; 1 per couple

#Leatherman Micra/Swiss Army knife (in checked luggage).  Or could mail it to yourself.

#towel, marked:  an acrylic Packtowel/Aquis is useful to wring out handwashed items

#2 washcloths, NOT white, marked,  cheap & thin.  Europeans don’t provide them. I always lose one.

#clothesline:  length of nylon cord or elastic, or fancy one made from braided surgical cord. 1 per couple

#tube/liq. soap/Woolite powder:  in a ziplock, for handwashables. I use shampoo for short trips

#rubber jar opener disc or film canister top:  for sink stopper.  Often not provided.

#2 inflatable hangers, atomizer of water/Wrinklefree to remove wrinkles

#tiny sewing kit:  black, white thread, wound around a straw/film lid that holds needles.  Mine is fancier.

#toiletries kit:  toothbrush, toothpaste/powder, deodorant, makeup, shampoo, etc.

#ziplock bags and a garbage bag (protect inside & outside of bag).  Light, takes no room

#flashlight (Mini-maglite or LED?) and extra batteries. Wrap 2-3 feet of duct tape around it. 1 per couple

#picnic kit ?: coffee can lid, plastic knife (check), fork, & spoon, salt/pepper, wash-ups, corkscrew (chk?)

He:       Carry-on size bag/backpack, with wheels and combination lock (cable ties for plane)

•Navy raincoat (Goretex, doubles as robe)

•tweed driving cap

@sweater, jacket, flannel shirt or microfleece layer.  Can wear under raincoat as a liner.  Can weigh ounces.

@dark dockers or Supplex pants:  easy to wash, dry quickly; lighter and cooler than jeans

•jeans: hard to wash, but comfy

@empty duffle:  Someone has to carry it

@collared shrt (1-2):  long sleeve, drip dry

 •@denim shrt:  why not look like an American?

@SS check or plaid shrt (1-2):  doesn’t show wrinkles or ketchup

@2-3 wht/grey shortsleeve tees:  synthetic is best, for cool tops or layering. Replace with souvenir tees?

•belt

•sneakers or walking shoes: broken in

@loafers & inserts: broken in.  Or sandals and dark socks.

@shower shoes: Ultrsoles? Take a look at fellow travelers and decide how you feel about fungus

@tie?:  Or the restaurant might lend you one

@swimsuit:  Maybe in hot weather, or use shorts

•@3-4 briefs/boxers:  synthetic (CoolMax Alta) or silk is best for washing out at night

•@4-5 socks: acrylic or Smartwool;  wash at night (may take 2 days to dry)

@PJs?

@handkerchief or bandanna

@shaving kit:  razor, toothbrush, toothpaste/powder, deodorant, towelettes, shampoo, etc.

@extra glasses:  or at least your prescription. This is important.

@towel, marked:  Packtowel or thin, old, ratty beachtowel (big, but dries fast)

@washcloth, not white, marked,  cheap & thin.  Europeans don’t provide them

@corkscrew, darts, Swiss Army knife (check)

@umbrella:  When a raincoat is just too hot. Can buy one there.

@passport Xeroxes

@For cold weather, add gloves, scarf, & silk longjohns

Part 2: Medical Supplies

Compact Med kit (sample sizes) for entire group: aspirin, Advil, Alka-selzer,Alka-selzer plus, Tylenol Sinus, Imodium AD, Pepto, antibiotics, Prep H, liquid bandaid, bandaids, safety pins, adhesive tape, flat duct tape, moleskin,  Tinactin, Neosporin, towelettes, cotton, Q-tips, Benadryl,  Off sunblock/ insect repellent, scissors & tweezers (chk’d luggage)

Part 3: Important Papers

Carry in a Tyvek envelope (or scan into PDA) all reservations, car rental numbers and papers, addresses and phone numbers, etc.

Part 4: Packing Tips

I fold clothes in an Eagle Creek Pack-It 15 or 18.  I roll nightgown and Coolmax tees.  I put socks in sandwich bags and then in shoes, which go in Sunday newspaper wrappers.  Put clothes care stuff or possible leakers in ziplocks.

All toiletries are sample size or put in small leakproof plastic bottles. (I use the bottles my haircolor conditioner comes in.)
 

  Part 5: Carryon

Toiletries kit contents

Return to England in the Footsteps of Virginia Woolf