**This is a sponsored post**
Summer holidays don’t always have to involve airports, passports and long-haul flights. Some of our favourite trips are much closer to home, like a weekend exploring a new city, a countryside escape or a few nights on the North Norfolk coast.
With several UK breaks planned over the coming weeks (including my first-ever visit to the Lake District!), I’ve been thinking about what I actually need to pack, and how to keep it practical without taking half the house with me.
Packing smarter makes travelling SO much easier. Whether we’re travelling by car or hopping on a train, I’m a fan of keeping everything in one easy-to-carry bag that’s big enough for the essentials without encouraging me to overpack.
Choosing the right cabin bag
A good cabin bag isn’t just for flying. I use mine for UK weekend breaks too because it’s the perfect size for a couple of days away, easy to lift into a train luggage rack and much more manageable than dragging a large suitcase through car parks or train stations and up hotel staircases.
For a typical two or three-night stay, I can comfortably fit:
- Two daytime outfits (including one that can also be dressed up for the evening)
- Nightwear
- Underwear and socks
- Swimwear
- Toiletries, hairbrush and make-up
- A lightweight waterproof (because even though we’ve had lovely weather recently, you just never know!)
- Sandals
- Chargers and a power bank
- A reusable water bottle
There’s still enough room left for any little treats or souvenirs that I’ll inevitably buy while we’re away…
Packing clothes that work hard
The biggest space-saver in my suitcase is choosing clothing that can be worn more than one way. Rather than packing separate outfits for every occasion, I look for pieces that can easily be dressed up or down.
This summer I’ve been searching for the perfect matching co ord set to take all the guesswork out of getting dressed – and I’ve found it at Very.co.uk! During the day, this gorgeous set is perfect for exploring attractions, wandering around markets or a day at the beach or wild swimming – it’s lightweight, too, so perfect for beating the heat. Add a different bag and change my make-up and hair, and the same outfit works perfectly for an evening meal without needing a complete outfit change.
Not only does that save space in my bag, but it also means less time deciding what to wear while we’re away.
My other staycation packing essentials
As well as clothes, there are a few items that always make their way into my bag.
A reusable water bottle is a must, especially if we’re spending the day doing a lot of walking (which we always do!) I also never travel without a portable phone charger as it’s amazing how quickly my phone battery drains when I’m using maps, taking photos and looking up places to eat.
Weather in the UK can be unpredictable even in the middle of summer, so I always pack a compact waterproof jacket and a small umbrella. Hopefully they’ll stay in the bag this summer, but it’s always better to be prepared…
For evenings back at our accommodation, I usually bring a book or my Kindle, or maybe a card game. After a full day exploring, it’s nice to properly switch off without always resorting to the TV or doom scrolling on my phone.
Keeping packing simple
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learnt is that you rarely need as much as you think you do. Packing versatile clothing, choosing the right-sized bag and sticking to genuine essentials means travelling feels far less stressful.
Our upcoming UK breaks are all about making the most of what Britain has to offer, discovering new places to eat, visiting attractions we’ve never been to before and enjoying a change of scenery without travelling too far from home.
With practical luggage, comfortable outfits that work from morning through to evening and a few carefully chosen essentials, everything fits neatly into one cabin holdall, leaving us free to enjoy the trip rather than worrying about what we’ve packed.
Now all we need is for the weather to cooperate!