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Baking ingredients and equipment

What to Pack for a Self-Catered Holiday

Whether you prefer making a home-from-home or want the space and flexibility to have a more independent trip away, a self-catered holiday is the perfect opportunity to unwind in peace and privacy. No matter where you go, it’s always best to keep in mind: 

  • How long you’re going for 
  • What the accommodation provides 
  • Any activities you have planned
  • What food you want to eat
  • What the local area provides (e.g restaurants, supermarkets and pharmacies) 

In order to make your self-catered stay all the more relaxing, we’ve put together a handy little guide of what to pack to make sure you’ve got all your bases covered in preparation for your trip.

Don’t forget the essentials!

Nobody wants to finish a long journey with a trek to find the nearest open supermarket, particularly after a long flight or drive. On the other hand, you also want to avoid using vital suitcase space for huge packs of tea and washing up liquid! Packing what you need for the first 12 hours of your stay is a great idea. 

If you’re anything like us, the first vital step once you’re in your accommodation is to put the kettle on. Tea (of your preference) and coffee are essentials, and a small carton of milk (pre-frozen) will see you through until the shops are in sight. 

Most reputable accommodations will supply a welcome pack or starter kit with all essential hot drink supplies, but if you’re travelling in a large group or you’re unsure of what is being provided, taking your own is always worth doing.

Sunglasses and a cup of tea

What does the kitchen usually include?

It’s important to always check with your future accommodation what utensils you will have to use – you can expect most places to have basic items like a kettle, toaster, pots, pans and crockery – but always check beforehand so you can plan your meals accordingly. You don’t want to find yourself trying to find a large casserole dish in the middle of nowhere!

The kitchen supplies you’ll want to remember are the pantry heroes we often take for granted: things like cling film, foil, plastic containers for any leftovers, salt, pepper and oil will get you off to a flying culinary start.

Getting together a collection of dry cupboard items is also an excellent idea: breakfast essentials like bread, jams, marmite or cereal are worth taking, and even cooking basics such as onions and potatoes if you have the room to spare. 

Depending on what time you’re arriving, how much room you have and where the nearest supermarket is, you might also want to take your cold food items in a cooler box / bag. Bits such as butter, milk, eggs, bacon, vegetables, cheese, any meat required for meals (particularly in BBQ weather!), drinks or nibbles could save you a lot of time and money. 

In popular tourist areas this is a particularly good idea, as prices for even the essentials can be steep. If you’re driving (and you can spare the room) you could save yourself a lot of spending money.

Colourful cooking utensils

Do I need to pack bed sheets for self-catering accommodation?

Almost all self-catering accommodation will come with sets (and usually spares) of bed linen and bath towels. The usual culprits for you to pack are flannels, face cloths or beach towels (if needed). Checking what your accommodation provides is essential, as you’ll need to add bed sheets, towels and linen onto that list if they’re not provided with the property. 

Those all-important bathroom supplies

It goes without saying that toiletries are essential for any stay. From shampoos and toothbrushes to shaving cream and toner, make sure you’ve got your wash bag stocked full with everything you need. Again, checking if your accommodation provides essentials such as toilet paper and hand soap is never a bad idea.  

Information about the local area

Whether you’re staying in a bustling city or a secluded rural area, finding out what the local area provides is a wonderful way of getting excited about your upcoming stay. It also gives you a valuable opportunity to get a feel for the culture and cuisine of the area.

Finding out where people go to get their local produce, any markets that take place, and learning about the best local pubs or restaurants provides you with a huge list of things to do, see and experience. 

A couple walking a dog on the beach

A few extras

Another little tip to make any self-catered stay a wonderful trip is to schedule a food shop delivery – giving you more travelling time and saving the supermarket hassle. The last very valuable piece of advice we love to give, is to remember that your stay should be a relaxing one.

Once you’ve got your basics covered, make sure you’ve packed a few little luxuries to make the most of your stay away! 

What do we at The Old Granary provide?

We supply a welcome pack that includes fresh bread, butter, milk, tea, coffee, hot chocolate, biscuits, sugar, a selection of cereal and some locally produced Pipers Crisps! All linen and basic cleaning products are provided. To see the full list of what we provide, see our FAQs and our apartments