Thinking About What to Pack…
What to pack as we get closer is probably forefront in your mind right now. And, it is a very hard question. What I can do in this post is let you know what the weather has been like so far this summer and to give advice when you just don’t know what it’ll be like in August.
England does not have reliable weather. In 2018 when I was here for the summer, the weather broke heat records - there was drought and dried fields. This summer has been seasonally chilly with more rain than we’ve had in past year.
My advice is to bring the following:
one light jacket for chilly evenings - if it is waterproof, then you’ll have it for any rain we may have
at least one warm-weather outfit - if the weather forecast is for 80 degrees, it’s a much hotter 80 than it is in the mid-Atlantic.
an umbrella or raincoat - it will probably rain, unless it doesn’t (oh England, can’t you be more predictable?)
sunblock/sun hat - the sun can be harsh when it’s out and we’ll be doing enough walking to warrant the hat
comfy walking shoes - I wear my walking sandels (Keen) all summer, no matter the weather
a water bottle that is easy to carry - hydration is key to making it in the summer
a tote bag or small bag to carry on our day trips for souvenirs, etc.
The only “dressy” place that we are going to is the Pump House in Bath. That is the end of a long day of exploring in Laycock Village and in Bath, so I recommend a light, comfortable “nice-ish” outfit. There won’t be a need for anything fancy at any point. Comfort is key, so choose neat and comfortable whenever possible.
We have had days this summer where the morning was a chilly 60, then rain in the late morning, then hot as blazes in the afternoon. The key is layering. I have a light sweater that I keep with me all the time; it fits in my bag or around my waist. I have a small umbrella that also fits in my bag. And, I also bring sunglasses. Nearly every day I’ve been out I’ve had to use 2 out of 3 of these things.
What to (and not to) Pack Besides Clothes
Invest in converters for your electronic devices. Make sure they are the big three-pronged British plugs. European converters do not work here.
Do not bring a hairdryer or an iron because they will not convert and can cause fire. Your room will have a hairdryer in the bathroom and you can borrow an iron from the front desk.
Do not worry about getting British currency before or after you get here, unless you’d like to have some. COVID has changed how Brits use money. Many places no longer accept cash. A debit or credit card can be used everywhere. Advice: if the server or cashier asks if you want to pay in dollars, say no. Your bank will get a better conversion rate than you will.
A camera is up to you. I’ll have a camera and will be taking photos everywhere we go. Normally, I use my smartphone because the photo quality is much higher than it used to be.
Ask me questions in the comments below (or by email) or give any advice that you might have. I can say that the heat wave that has affected southern Europe has not been an issue here this summer. I hope this is helpful. I know that it is speculative, but layering is my best advice.
