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Here for staycations: Travel essentials

Approved by our Clinical team | Jun 17, 2022

From the Isle of Skye to the Isle of Wight, Britain is packed with places to explore. You can climb mountains, relax on sandy beaches, adventure ancient castles, go camping or treat yourself to a top notch city break - the options are endless.

And the best part? You can (almost!) pack as much as you please. Whether you’re after a UK suntrap or a cosy countryside escape, you’re free to fill your case with all the necessary bits and bobs to make your staycation a success.

Here we share our shortlist of the top travel essentials for every staycation.

Beach holiday essentials

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A UK beach holiday is as classic as they come. Mr Whippy, sandy toes, fish and chips… nothing beats a trip to the British seaside. We’re sure you’re well versed in what to bring for a sunny day, but just in case, here’s our packing list for a beach vacation:

Sun protection including sun cream for children, protective clothing and after sun
Hand sanitiser and wet wipes for cleaning sticky, sandy hands
Games and entertainment - don’t forget your bucket and spade!
Swimwear including wetsuits if you fancy surfing
Change of clothes for when you’re dry
Beach towels for laying on the sand or drying off - a picnic blanket is also a good option if you want to keep towels clean
Plenty of water to make sure you stay hydrated
A pop up tent for creating shade to get a break from the sunshine
Plastic bags for wet clothes and rubbish (make sure to take it home!)

Camping essentials

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Aside from your holiday checklist regulars, there’s a fair few extra bits you’ll need to bring for the ultimate camping trip. Depending on the length of your holiday (and size of your boot!) you might need extra food, utensils, clothing or entertainment.

Start by ticking off the below camping essentials (and making sure they’re in working order):

Tent and bedding including pegs, sleeping bags, pillows and blankets
Camping chairs and a table if you need one
Lighting such as head torches, lanterns and candles
Cooking equipment including a gas stove, kettle, pots and cooking utensils
Plates, bowls and cutlery
Food, snacks and drinks
Washing up liquid and a sponge
Matches or a lighter to light your stove or candles
Flask - keep it filled with hot tea or coffee all morning
Duct tape and safety pins in case you need to make a tent repair
Sun protection including sun cream and after sun
Travel size toiletries such as shampoo, conditioner, shower gel and moisturiser
Insect repellent and bite cream
Clothing for warm or cool weather
Allergy medication such as hay fever treatment
Games, books and activities including bikes, playing cards, a ball and puzzles

Road trip essentials

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Whether you’re travelling to the Scottish Highlands or touring Cornwall’s coastline, you’ll need some extra gear to make your road trip comfortable and fun. Thankfully we’ve got you covered.

Before you hit the motorway, add these road trip essentials to your holiday checklist:

Travel sickness tablets
Snacks for the car
Car chargers for charging phones, tablets and e-readers
Sat nav or maps
Car essentials such as breakdown cover, your driver’s licence, insurance and car manual
Nap essentials such as a travel pillow, blanket and ear plugs
Toiletries including hand sanitiser, sun protection and shower products
First aid kit such as plasters, pain relief and allergy pills
Flask for hot or cold drinks
Cooking gear if you’re eating on the road
Tent and bedding if you’re camping
A road trip playlist!

City break essentials

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City breaks are normally jam packed with exploring from walking tours to rooftop restaurants. And whilst you might be busy, you’ll benefit from having a few home comforts to help you enjoy your trip to the fullest.

Here’s your ultimate city break packing list:

Sun protection for hot weather including sunglasses and a sun hat
Rain protection including an umbrella, poncho or waterproof jacket
Hand sanitiser
Comfy shoes for walking around the city
Lightweight clothing with layers you can easily remove or pile on if it gets hold or cold
Powerbank for on the go charging
Camera, SD cards and charger
Mobile phone and charger
Maps or access to Google Maps
Toiletries including toothbrush, toothpaste, shower items and makeup
First aid kit including blister treatment and pain relief

Can I still get my prescription on holiday?

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We know it can be hard to remember to order and collect your repeat prescriptions, especially when trying to organise for a holiday. But, with 1,400 pharmacies all over the UK, LloydsPharmacy is always here for you.

For one off prescriptions, pop into a LloydsPharmacy with your signed and valid paperwork and we will dispense your medication for you.

Can I still access emergency contraception on holiday?

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If your normal contraception has failed, or you have had unprotected sex while on your staycation and feel that you need emergency contraception (the morning after pill), you can access this service in most stores or online.

Find your nearest pharmacy

There’s plenty to remember when it comes to packing for a staycation, but with our handy checklists, you’ll never forget a thing. Travelling with family? Take a look at our travel checklist for adults and children.

You can also discover more travel advice at LloydsPharmacy including sun care tips for babies, the best sea sickness tablets for your holiday and our guide to SPF and sun protection.