Shoes in Uk?

[Neodymium]

we are coming to the Uk in December (from Australia) and just wondering what are the best shoes to bring? I know it’s quite cold and rainy. We have got boots which are waterproof but we need to bring some joggers or something too. Dh said he’s just going to bring Dunlop volleys (which are made from canvas) but I think they aren’t suitable for there in winter. The kids and I have got converse (leather ones).

Even if it's not icy in December it can be foggy, driving in fog is slow.
Also. London is warmer as it's a city, but Cornwall is slightly warmer than the rest of the UK. We are still talking 0 to 10C in December though. Forget a brolly, hoods and woolly hats are more use.
Could you not pre book on a free cancellation basis? Something like booking.com? Then at least you have somewhere pencilled in.

A lot mentioned about rain OP. That's partly because we have had the wettest two months I can remember, relentless rain day after day, week afterr week. The whole UK feels soggy atm.

Do come back to the thread once you are here!

I think some people are being very dramatic on this thread, exaggerations all over the place.

@Neodymium As I said I hope all goes well.

However, where are you going to 'just stop'? It's not a problem on the motorway, there are 24 hour service stations.

Don't worry OP! I live in a v hot country (it never goes below about 25c). When we visit the U.K. in winter I usually just take some leather ankle boots for around town. If going to the countryside I'd take hiking boots or wellies (gumboots) if really trudging over muddy fields.

Husband takes trainers (and likewise for really muddy countryside stuff, perhaps some wellies).

Clothing wise, I usually just layer up my dresses with fleecy tights and/or polo necks underneath: www.marksandspencer.com/200-denier-thermal-fleece-lined-tights/p/clp60477991

You might want some anoraks if you'll be outside a lot (I don't usually bother but then again I try not to be outdoors in the rain!)

English roads are good compared to a lot of countries (certainly much better than here) and I think our driving style is similar to Aussies.

Villages and towns presumably. There isn't just "london" and "cornwall" and a vast expanse of nothing in between

Yes we don’t plan to drive in the afternoon/evening. We will stop at the nearest town at about lunchtime. We would probably rather stop at some little villages and places like that anyway!

Honestly op you’ll be fine driving from London to Cornwall, people do it all the time. And of course you can stop in towns or villages along the way. Some very OTT posts here. But I guess at least you’ll be prepared for the worst!

@Bluemoon93 thank you. We are really looking forward to it. I am a careful driver, plus I also regularly tow a big caravan. Not the same but do need to be extra careful towing.

on another note, is Vegemite available anywhere in the Uk 😂 not promite or marmite or anything like that. My last overseas trip was only 2 weeks all I wanted was Vegemite toast by the end. Cause we are taking carryon luggage only so limited space, plus can’t get a small enough jar for the liquid rules.

Vegemite is sold at Asda and Tesco and probably a few more supermarkets. You’ll need to go to a full size supermarket but it’s not hard to get.

Haha I know the feeling, I was always craving marmite when travelling in Oz 😂. As pp says you can def get it in the bigger supermarkets!

You haven't said how old your DCs are, but if they are younger, you might find it useful to buy them some cheap wellington boots for the Cornwall leg of your trip. They are so much better for beach visits and walking in longer grass etc as you can tuck their trousers in and keep them from getting wet in the sea etc. You can often get cheap ones in larger supermarkets or places like Primark, Decathlon etc.

Carry-on luggage from Australia and with all the thermals and boots and coats? B

@Neodymium you are my hero. I mean I live a jangle-luggage-only trip but that is hardcore <bows down>

Love hand-luggage-only that was lol

Where are all your big thick coats and socks going if hand luggage only?

If you’re taking hand luggage only then be prepared to leave things like wellington boots in UK unless you’re prepared to take back home and have room in luggage.

I was in a larger Sainsburys the other week looking for wellington boots for DNephew, not a huge amount available re sizes but maybe they’ll have more? If it’s popular it sells out fast.

@clary everyone thinks we are mad 😂

@SecondUsername4me coats are folded up and then I have pillow cases to put them in so they can be used as a pillow on the plane.

packing per person
5 undies
3 thick socks
3 thin socks
3 singlets
2 thermal tops
2 thermal leggings
1 long sleeve nice shirt
2 trousers (one wind/water proof)
2 jumpers
1 sweatpants
1 beanie
1 gloves
1 shorts
1 tshirt

i have a wash bag to wash undies and socks each night and one bathroom bag for the family.

and we will post souvenirs home each week.

The postage will cost you a fortune!

I live in London and have never need any kind of thermal clothes. Waterproofs in Cornwall yes.

I wore my down north face ski coat when it was actually snowing one year and it was still way too warm.

The postage will cost you a fortune

And the laundrette trips

Yeah agreed. Posting home souvenirs is a total non-starter once you discover how much international postage is.

The OP said earlier that she needs a jumper if the temperature falls below 22 C so they might need thermals!

Is there a reason you are doing hand luggage only? I'd have thought long haul flights included hold luggage ad a standard

Wow, the hand luggage only is blowing my mind 😂
Other than that, it sounds like you’re set pretty much. In my experience, living down south it rarely ever gets THAT cold, i don’t own anything thermal and I hate the cold.
I tend to live in timberlands/ankle boots or trainers when it gets cold, I’ve got some neoprene lined wellies and they’re way too hot. It’s never been cold enough for me to appreciate having them which is a shame as they were pricey wellies!
We drive to the tip of Cornwall once every year at least from just outside and to the west of London, it’s absolutely fine. We leave at 5am as one dc gets carsick and are down having breakfast by the sea at 10am. Earlier on a good run.

@SecondUsername4me we have included luggage - we just decided we wanted to travel light. I don’t want to be messing about with 5 suitcases. We would need massive cars to fit 5 and suitcases. Plus I’ve travelled before in winter to China, and I lugged about a massive case and wore the same thing just about everyday cause it was so cold. We aren’t into getting dressed up so I just thought we would make it easier. One backpack kids carry their own. We are doing some trains in Italy and Finland so it’s just easier without loads of luggage.

@Porridgeislife i don’t really mind paying for the postage. We prob won’t buy much anyway.

5 weeks away we will need to wash anyway even if we took bigger cases. Some places we are staying are apartments with machines. There will be same amount of washing just more frequent. I plan to wash singlets and undies each night. I have a special hand wash bag and flakes of laundry soap. As well as quick drying undies for everyone.

Bring some thermals and layers it's gone really cold!

@Neodymium but it doesn't have to be all or nothing and if you had one hold case you'd not be limited to travel size toiletries and be messing around with plastic bags going through security.