Self-catering holidays always seem to involve a lot of planning – especially with regards to what to take. Having just returned from our self-catering family trip to Coombe Mill in Cornwall here are my top ten things to remember when you’re going self-catering.
1. Towels
Even if all the bedding is included where you’re staying it doesn’t necessarily mean that towels will be. It’s certainly worth checking – for both bathroom towels and a tea towel. Don’t forget that you may also want to take a bath mat too.
2. Tea bags
If you’re a complete tea addict like me then you’ll definitely want to make sure that you can make yourself a nice cuppa when you get to your holiday accommodation. Obviously, if you take sugar in your tea remember to pack that too.
3. Soap / handwash
Once you get to your accommodation and put the kettle on it’s likely that the next thing you’ll do is pop to the loo whilst it boils. If you’ve packed a bar of soap or a bottle of hand wash you’ll at least be able to wash your hands afterwards without having to search through your luggage for the shower gel or similar. Voice of experience speaking there!
4. Toilet rolls
Although there may be toilet rolls when you get to your accommodation, it’s possible that if you’re staying for a week or longer you’ll exhaust their supplies and you’ll need your own. Worth taking a couple from home if you’re staying that long.
5. Cleaning wipes / multi-surface cleaner
If you’re cooking in your accommodation then you’ll need to clean up after yourself in some way. Some properties include a simple cloth for you to use, but not any accompanying cleaning product. A bottle of some multi-surface cleaner is incredibly useful. Or even simpler you could buy a pack of wipes instead. That way you’re not caught out if they don’t provide you with a cloth.
6. Food
Whilst food might seem like a rather obvious thing to have on a list like this it is worth mentioning. Think about when you’re going to arrive and when you might first be able to seek out a local supermarket or similar. Milk can always be picked up at a local garage or newsagent, but if you pack enough to get you though a first evening meal and breakfast the next morning it defers when you need to do that major food shop. A packet of pasta, some sauce, breakfast cereal and bread and jam should be enough. Also think about condiments and what you need to cook – salt, pepper, oil and ketchup to name but a few.
7. Kitchen knives
My mum was always convinced that when you go to any self-catering accommodation you’d never find a sharp knife. My experience tells me she’s right. If you’re going to want to do any proper cooking whilst away I strongly recommend you take a sharp kitchen knife or two with you. If you’re feeling organised then a can opener and bottle opener are also wise investments. Ones are likely to be provided, but experience tells me they’re not necessarily going to be any good!
8. Soft drinks
Again a potentially obvious one to add to the list, but experience says that it’s easy to remember to take wine and beer with you on holiday, but less easy to remember something soft for those times you’ve had a bit too much wine or beer!
9. Washing up liquid
Another one for cleaning up after yourself. Some places provide it, some don’t. Also, if a dishwasher is provided in your self-catering accommodation, don’t assume that dishwasher tablets are too. If you have some at home take them with you.
10. Laundry detergent
Same goes for if a washing machine is provided – take your own laundry detergent. Especially if you’ve got children, or anyone else in the family, with sensitive skin. The boxes of powder you can buy in many site shops isn’t always the kindest to sensitive skin.
So that’s my checklist. What else would you pack?
Great list.
I freeze a 2 litre bottle of milk and it has usually defrosted enough for the tea by the time we arrive
A top tip there Joy – and not one I’d thought of. Thank you.
A fab list! I would add, specifically, TREATS! I always think “Nope. I want this to be a thrifty hol!” and then I get overtaken by chocolate urges and end up spending way too much at the tiny cornish newsagents rather than the big cheap London supermarket!
Yes chocolate! But then if we’re going on a long car journey anywhere we always have to have chocolate in the glove box. It’s a law as far as I’m concerned!
Excellent list. It’s tricky knowing what to take. I agree, so many places have blunt knives! I agree, been caught out with not having some oil. Salt and pepper usually there but if you have any favourite spices, take them with you.
Spices is a good one to have on the list – thanks!
Yes, at our holiday house in IOW there’s Jamie’s 30 Minute Meals. Perfect for holiday but wish I’d bought paprika, garam masala & a few others with me! Worth a thought as I’m not going to go out & buy a new spice rack. Luckily lots of herbs in the garden to use 🙂
Ooh a useful list there, I would add carrier bags, bin bags and reusable bags to that list. I have a selection in the car all the time anyway but always useful when you are away
Glad I’m not the only one who keeps random stuff like this in my car, just in case!
Great list! I never think to take my own knives, but your Mum is totally right! I also always make sure I take foil and cling film.
Mums are always right on things like this aren’t they?
I’m with Lucy on the treats!
I also often take my slow cooker with me. You don’t want to be slaving for hours cooking a meal so that way it can be cooking while you’re enjoying your day and it saves you being tempted to eat out and spend a fortune.
Slow cooker? Wow – have to admit that I wouldn’t have thought about taking mine, but now you say it it makes perfect sense. May have to plan better for our next holiday.
Very handy list. We’ve usually checked out the place and bought things that were needed at the local supermarket, so that we didn’t have to drag half our household along with us x
It’s a bit of a juggling act between what you need and how much space you have in the car isn’t it?
I usually travel with the kitchen sink, and packing light is something I never manage, but these are my top take-away tips:
Tea bags
A tea towel, dish cloth and small bottle of washing-up liquid
Mini salt & pepper dispenser (and olive oil if in the UK)
Tiny jam jar of chilli flakes and some stock cubes
A couple of washing powder tabs (wrapped ones)
A small first-aid kit
A reusable shopping bag
I take this little lot, packed into a couple of ice-cream tubs, when we travel to self catering places, even overseas, as I’d rather spend my precious holiday money on local food and produce (and wine!) when I get there. Some places we’ve stayed have been brilliantly stocked and we’ve needed none of this stuff, but you never know till you get there!
Fantastic tips there Ellie – thank you. I may be updating my lists. Or just taking you on holiday with us!
bottle opener and matches! you never can be sure 🙂
Matches are a good one Vanessa – we were obviously there in summer, but if you want a winter fire then you’d need matches. Or a BBQ, but we never got round to doing that.
Fab tips! I have often been caught out by washing up liquid and the like, and they can charge far more for them in on-site shops!
Definitely – on site shops are never the thrifty way to go!
I could have done with this a few weeks ago – i forgot to take towels away with us when we went 😉
I’d been so petrified of forgetting them that I’d set a diary reminder. How sad am I?
Kitchen knives is a great one Penny – for me it’s the boring things like clingfilm and bin bags!
Ah yes – good ones there. And we did actually buy bin bags mid-holiday too. Normally I just make do with the collection of carrier bags which I seem to always have with me.
Fab list! Last few times we’ve done self catering in the UK I’ve surprised myself with my efficiency and had a supermarket delivery arrive an hour after we do! One of the things I can’t bear on holiday is supermarket shopping so I get it done in advance! x
You see I just wasn’t organised enough to do that – and also too fearful of the traffic on the M5 meaning that the shopping would get there fore us!
Great list. It’s hard to remember all these things. I forgot the cleaning wipes on our last holiday – definitely handy to have.
Could also be entitled : “10 things I always forget to take on a home exchange”
A great list Penny and really helpful. We try to provide or sell the things you sensibly mention but the knives are always an issue. They get an annual sharpen / replace but can often go blunt in between. The main thing I would add is to ask the owners for anything you have forgotten or isn’t working well. They should be only to happy to help and replace.
Knives.. what a brilliant suggestion!
Great list. Would add bin bags. This year I also arranged a for a Sainsbury’s delivery to arrive the morning after we got there. Saved a whole-family trip to the supermarket (always a disaster!) and ensured we got all the family favourites.