What to take to a holiday home

[TheEndlessNight]

We are away to Whitby for a weeks holiday soon and have booked to stay in a holiday home. Whenever we go away we always pack far too much stuff. How can I pack for a week without taking everything except the kitchen sink?

Don't give slushies to little kids it can kill them! Google it

@CoastalCalm oh toilet roll is a good one. Did you use your instant pot? My friend takes her slow cooker on holiday. What's a maldon ?

@notevencharging I hadn't even thought about going out clothes 😳 we will need a mix of day clothes and evenings clothes for going out for dinner. Will look up the fish and chip place, can't wait for fish and chips 😋

@mamagogo1 a motor cycle sounds a exciting way to travel. You must be the Queen of travelling light!

Always take a decent knife. Always take kitchen roll.
If you want to cook family meals id also chuck a few proper size pots and a baking dish. Absolute pet peeve of mine when id book something for 6 of us, got there and no actual pots to cook for 6!

@P00hsticks 26 !!!! That's a crazy amount. The Abbey is on our list to visit and we will take your recommendation to visit St Mary's Church. Will need the steps after the fish and chips 🤣

Maldon salt - just sea salt but often find if there is salt left behind it’s not great and I have a lot of added salt in my diet as finishing salt

No the instant pot was unused - we tend to eat out either at lunch or early evening on way back from a day trip and food in the evening is more snacky food , things we pick up during the day

I've started doing baked potatoes on the beach this year, so I'd take some foil containers and an insulated bag. I'm also planning on ordering some party platters from Morrisons when we go away with the family next month. The small cheese ones in particular are excellent value and very handy.

I don’t think you need separate going out clothes tbh, unless your beach clothes are literally a wetsuit.

It's Whitby. T shirt and shorts in the chippy or the pub is fine. I took walking boots and flip flops only on holiday in Pembrokeshire Andover had an issue.

@NewsdeskJC salt is on the list I had totally forgotten about the last time we went away and there wasn't any salt. Dh wasn't amused. Will make up a bag for life with kitchen bits and put a knife in. We don't use kitchen roll just microfiber cloths so could pack some of them. Not planning on cooking just breakfasts and nibbles, buffets.

I've got a toolbox that we now take which has all your standard kitchen bits that are sometimes missing - good knives, can opener, extra cutlery etc. 9/10 there a few things missing so it's easier to just have a go box. Also take another crate with cleaning bits, foil, cling film, kitchen roll.

It just makes life so much easier!

I run a holiday let and you shouldn’t need to bring anything but clothes and toiletries. There should be a list of what they provide; I also have basic spices, bin bags, cling film and tin foil, tea and coffee, sugar, washing up liquid and washing machine/dishwasher tablets, though I know many don’t provide any of these things!
I do ask that guests bring their own beach towels.

Oh and always, always bin bags!

Four outfits fine for adults; I’d take five or so for kids.

One hoodie, one waterproof, couple pairs of leggings/jeans.

Don’t take any white or pale clothes! That way shorts and T shirts can have a double-wear (unless you’re very active or it’s very hot).

For beach days, my kids just stay in swim shorts and swim t shirt; those get rinsed and dried overnight (usually take 2nd pair of swim shorts as backup).

@CoastalCalm I think I know the salt you mean. Is it in a white box?

@Zanzara that's a genius idea re party platters. Do the baked potatoes not take hours to cook?

@clary thank you.

And never had an issue lol

I have a folder of lists.
Self catering UK, week, weekend, abroad, two weeks pool holiday etc.
I'm going to Whitby in a couple of weeks with adult DC and their partners.
I check what toiletries are provided. Towels are always included but if you're going to the beach then you need beach paraphernalia.

Otherwise it'll be
Breakfast cereals
Tea, coffee, milk, bread, biscuits, beer and wine.
Restaurants booked for every evening
Lunches wherever people are, usually a takeaway sandwich or chips.

It's a holiday, no chance I'm cooking anything.

@mondaytosunday beach towels are a good idea. We didn't get a list of things provided just what's in the holiday home like washing machine, tv etc when we booked.

@Tooneyy you sound really organised. Your post reminded me to pack a bottle opener and a wine cork opener. Bin bags great idea to see us through.

@Aliksa thank you for the clothes advice. Kids will have their wetsuits that I can rinse out after the beach.

Baked potatoes take about an hour, maybe a bit less in an air fryer, you can cut them in half to reduce the cooking time. There's hardly any prep and you can do a big batch and reheat in the microwave later. Favourites include melted mature cheddar with onion and chopped baby plum tomatoes. A great way to feed numbers quickly and cheaply I find (and they're gluten free).

Baked potatoes on the beach when we visit other areas sounds great. I wonder if instant bbqs are allowed or a no go.

Sortin · Today 16:39 I have a folder of lists.

Respect!

@Sortin have a lovely time in Whitby with your family. I enjoy cooking and find it relaxing, planning on quick things like steak baguettes with fries and cheese, meats things like that. Still need to do a food list. I would miss not cooking for a whole week. Plus eating out is so expensive would rather spend the money on other things.

@TheEndlessNight I hope you enjoy it too!
Sorry you didn't mention being on a budget. I cook every other day of the year and don't dislike it but holidays are the only time we eat out. Same when DC were tiny.

@Sortin @TheEndlessNight

A couple of other things that might (or may not) appeal while you are in Whitby....

There is currently (rather controversially as no-one knew it was coming) a big wheel on the cliff top near the Whalebone Arch. I think it's there for the next couple of weeks,

If you like gin ,then a tour of the local Whitby Distillery is well worth it - you get to try a few samples (or take home a miniature if you are driving).

Check the listing carefully and read reviews to see what is provided. Often things like washing up liquid and dw tablets are included.

Things I consider taking for a self catering break

Few dishwasher tablets (if not provided)
A couple of laundry pods (depending on length of stay)
Teabags
Ziplock bags and bag clips
Toiletries as these are not generally included unless it’s a luxury place
Beach towels if beaching
Card games
Chargers, many!
Might take oil, salt, spices depending on how much cooking I’m expecting to do
Sometimes a frozen lasagne or something for the first night if arriving late - it defrosts on the journey
Again only if arriving late - frozen milk and cereal to cover first am breakfast, so there isn’t such a hurry to get to the shops
Medical kit
Few non bulky toys for kids. Stuff for drawing is useful, ball if there is a garden etc

If you are going to be cooking take tiny tupperwares (the little sistema salad dressing ones are good) of herb/spice mixes eg I take one with a beef stock cube, oregano, basil, bay leaf etc and then you just need to buy an onion, packet mince, can tomatos and pasta and you’ve got spag bol. Same for chilli, etc.

one good knife
Bluetooth speaker

if it's in the UK I normally don't bother taking lots of condiments, kitchen stuff, etc with me. If I need it I buy it and just take it home.
We take open food like jam, butter, open pack of toast with us to use for the next couple of days.

We have mini toileteries like soap in our wash kit if there is really nothing in the property and then buy if I need it.

We often do a shop when we arrive for things like milk, some basics for sandwhiches and dinner on the first day plus snacks and drinks. Then we plan day by day.

Clothes - one top per day plus one spare, 1-2 spare trousers if I have messy people. Swim stuff and shorts. One spare pair of trainers plus sandals/water shoes/slippers.

We now take beach towels after one s/c accomodation had just one towel per person.