I'm an UK holiday virgin - what do I need to take?

[Thomcat]

Tomato ketchup
olive oil
black pepper
loo roll

and ...........

???????????????

[tiredemma]

wet wipes.

are you camping? If so wellies and lots of socks. And valium.

[Trafficcone]

I have no idea what you're on about.

[WideWebWitch]

Where are you going, roughly? and what type accom?

[robinpud]

clothes for every type of weather bar snow
footwear for above
pre book internet shopping to arrive an hour after you do with large amounts of wine
toys, books, games
if very cheap cottage then take basic kitchen kit- cloth, scourer etc to save you buying
list of ideas for places to go

[tiredemma]

washing up liquid.

[WendyWeber]

Any utensil whose absence from the kitchen would drive you nuts, like corkscrew, decent knives, garlic press, spud masher, pizza wheel, (oh no, that's just DS2 )

Lots of towels - even if they are provided there prob won't be enough. Ditto teatowels.

[WendyWeber]

ipod & speakers (though with your family I'm sure that's a given!)

[babs10000]

Waterproofs and alot of board games - terrible weather predicted for the forseeable future.

[pointydog]

Is this self catering?

[robinpud]

I'm assuming it's self catering.. don't know why.. but I always take small amounts of dried herbs in foil to tart up ccoking rather than have to buy whole jars.. Oil and vinegar in a jar
a couple of dvds, otherwise you end up with whatever came free with the Daily Mail..

[Thomcat]

Thanks.
Staying in nice cottage in Cornwall.

Never had to pack for 3 children staying in self catering in UK. Always gone abroad till now and can't believe how much there is to take on a simple holiday to Cornwall!

[pooka]

There are shops in cornwall!

Could you not arrange for tesco to do a food delivery just after you arrive? We're doing this, so when we get there within a few hours milk and so on (including o oil, ketchup. loo roll and pepper) will be delivered.

Also, on the way down, on the motorway in particular, there are service stations with M&S simply food.

Whereabouts in Cornwall are you going?

There's a tesco in padstow and wadebridge. Other supermarkets in bodmon and Newquay, and generally good mini markets in smaller towns and villages.

I will be taking the bare minimum. Will make sure have headache pills for me, medicines for the children (i.e. calpol and nurofen), nappy cream, wipes and nappies. A few books and toys. Clothes (including more autumnal wear in case the weather is crap - joggers and wellies).

All the rest can be bought when we get there.

[Thomcat]

Thanks so much. I wasn't actually aware there are shops in Cornwall, so that's good to know. Isn't it mad that at 37, (my birthday is today), I didn't know that!!!!! What am I like???!!!
I was thinking of taking some bare essentials you see, like olive oil and black pepper so I didn't have to buy everything there and go shopping the second I arrive on holiday, you know?????? But thanks so much for pointing out there is a Tesco in Padstow and Wadebridge. Oh and other supermarkets in Bodmon and Newquay. I've made a note of this in my holiday file and I'll buy everything I need when I get there. No point in taking a handful of dishwasher tablets when I can buy a whole box when I get there is there?! We're in Bude. Will they have things like running water do you think. And what about electricity?

[OrmIrian]

Bottle opener.

That's about it for essentials. There might be one but I've been in places where they don't have one...

Take food for breakfast the next morning, then blitz the nearest supermarket for basics the next morning. Do not try to take everything with you...I used to do that and it's impossible and you will have enough to think of with clothes for the family,etc.

IMO it's better to take fewer clothes and prepare to do a few washes. Most things you take will end up in the machine at home anyway whether they are dirty or not so take as little as possible. It's easier to do a little once or twice during the week than have to do a massive washing session at home.

[Thomcat]

Aha - see great thinking BatWoman - have taken those annoying at the time but now very handy trail bottles of washing powder things I've stashed at the back of the laundry cupboard. Perfection.

[motherinferior]

A packet of pasta and jar of pesto for the night you arrive. COFFEE, real coffee - and I personally would take a small espresso maker - for the morning after.

[Oliveoil]

a sharp knife

the one provided won't puncture a balloon

I have a I Am An Organised Saddo list for when we go to Wales, hang on will find and post

[Oliveoil]

CLOTHES
wellies
shoes/trainers
crocs
swimming costumes and arm bands
hats
sunglasses
clothes/knickers/socks
macs
pyjamas
slippers
towels
sleeping bags

STUFF
shampoo/conditioner/shower gel
bath stuff
comb
toothpaste/brushes
sun cream
razor/shaving gel
make up
contacts/glasses
nightlights
books cigs etc
flannels
cleanser/moisturiser
hair bobbles
Calpol
plasters/germolene
wipeplasters
nappies

STUFF
teddies
buckets/spad es
beach towels
charger
picnic rug/chairs
tissues
camera
mobiles
ipod

KITCHEN STUFF
tea towels
kitchen roll
salt and pepper
tubs
w up liquid
cool box
foil
bottle opener
matches/lighter
toilet roll
tea/sugar
bin liners
cloths
grater
peeler
sharp knives

FOOD
salad stuff
yoghurts
apple juice
pasta
eggs
pasta sauce
brown/red sauce
water
parmesan cheese
crackers
cartons
salad dressing
grapes
rice cakes
cheese
apples
bread sticks
ham
bananas
cereal
bread
biscuits
butter
choc
milk
crisps
sausage rolls
houmous
french stick
pitta
wine
carrots
beer

this is what we take as then when we get there we can have a picnic tea, breakfast and straight on the beach without worrying about getting food

[motherinferior]

Drugs

Family holidays are very stressful

[Oliveoil]

that is included in my cigs etc section

not for moi, I hasten to add

[Lemontart]

Other than the things you would only use small quantities of (salt, pepper) and enough to make the immediate eve meal/breakfast, I think it is always good to shop locally when away. Better to support the local economy while away than take everything with you - easier too.

[Oliveoil]

I agree, we take stuff for immediate use then go to the local tesco bijou shop for other food

[WendyWeber]

I wouldn't take buckets & spades - buy them there (supporting the local economy again ) if there aren't any at the house already, there often are.

Then leave them behind for the next lot - they're always full of claggy sand when you're packing up to go home & it gets everywhere.

[WendyWeber]

Ooooh, Olive's list includes water, maybe they don't have running water in Bude

[Oliveoil]

well we bought ours last time locally supporting the local economy

and so now we reuse them supporting my economy

anyhoo we have a sandpit at home which gets used all the time (much to my delight )