From the busting streets of London to Stonehenge, to the Scottish highlands and the sheer beauty of the Northern Islands to the exquisite beauty of north Wales, there are so many places to go in UK. So much so there is estimated to be more than 40 million visitors this year alone.
If you are keen to travel to the UK, or are looking to take a short break to an amazing city like London, we have compiled a list of essential things to bring with you on your UK trip.
What Season Will You Be Visiting?
What season you visit will really have a big effect on what you take. Every season is different in the UK so you will need to check if you will arrive in summer, winter, autumn or spring.
Summer is generally the most popular time of the year to visit London and the UK and due to the warm weather you will need to pack accordingly. As well as light clothing you might also want to pack hay fever tablets (due to the high pollen count), sunglasses, a portable fan or air conditioner (perfect for being on the road, hotels, camping or road trips) and a reusable water bottle especially to avoid having to keep buying plastic bottles.
For other seasons more warm clothing is the most recommended thing to remember and you can read more about clothing in the section below. A small umbrella is recommended for all seasons as the UK is notorious for rain whilst you should also pack a small rucksack to carry all your essential items in.
Best Things to Pack for the UK
Check out our essential list of important things not to forget when visiting the UK.
1. Travel Insurance
Be sure to buy comprehensive travel insurance before departing your country. If you are visiting from the EU you also now need insurance cover since Brexit. Hopefully you won’t encounter any problems when travelling to, or in the UK, but if you do, having travel insurance can give you peace of mind and help you to cover any costs from theft, damage, accidents or delays.
2. Make Copies of Documents
Make sure you keep a copy of your passport, accommodation reservations, travel insurance and proof of onward travel. You can print out copies and also save online just incase you lose the documents.
3. Important Numbers & Addresses
Make a note of all important phone numbers and addresses. For example your accommodation, local hospitals, police and your embassy. You might not need any of these, but its handy to know where they are incase you do.
4. Travel Adapter
Take a travel adapter with you so you can use all of your electronic devices. The UK uses a 220v three pin system, which isn’t a system that is prevalent anywhere else in the world and buying before departing means you can save money rather than buying last minute at the airport.
5. Comfortable Trainers
The chances are wether you are visiting for sightseeing or adventure you will be doing lots of walking so you will need a good comfortable pair of trainers.
6. Clothes
Let’s be honest, the weather in UK is often bad, even in summer. There’s a good chance that no matter which month you visit you will be facing rain on some days. So, don’t think for a second that just because you’re planning on visiting in the summer you won’t need to bring some warm clothes with you.
We suggest always having your coat or jacket even for summer. For more off the beaten track destinations outside of London consider bringing a warm coat for some of those colder days and a windproof jacket if you plan on visiting the north of England or even Scotland. For winter you will need a hat, gloves, warm coat and a jumper. For summer you can pack lighter, but a small umbrella is always recommended.
7. Electronics
From a smartphone and a tablet to a laptop and an e-reader, we probably don’t need to explain to you how important it can be to have the right gadgets with you as you travel abroad. Aside from the obvious entertainment qualities, be sure to download a London tube map or Google Maps. If English isn’t your first language you might also like to download a language learning app.
8. Backpack or Suitcase
This one should probably go without saying but the importance of a comfortable, sizeable backpack or suitcase cannot be underestimated when it comes to visiting other countries and the United Kingdom is obviously no exception to this rule. The best travel backpack or suitcase is one that isn’t heavy, but is sturdy and also includes a few additional inserts and compartments where you could store your travel documents and other important miscellaneous items, the safety and security of which should never be compromised.
The United Kingdom is an amazing destination to visit,
London is a city that everyone needs to visit but don’t miss your chance to also see the vibrant city of Liverpool, the beaches of Bournemouth, or the sheer natural beauty of Scotland. We hope we have given you ideas for things not to forget when planning a trip here.
