Cottage or staycation packing list for families
A cottage holiday is a home for a week that isn’t yours. The kit you need is different from a hotel stay: you may be providing the towels, the washing-up liquid and the rainy-day entertainment. This list helps you cover the gaps without bringing the house.
Check these first
The things people forget most. Everything else can be bought, borrowed or worked around.
- Passports and tickets
- Medication, with the doses
- Phone chargers and a multi-plug
- Comfort toy (and a spare if you have one)
- Glasses or contact lenses
- Toothbrushes
- Headphones
- Sun cream, if it’s sunny
Check with the owner first
Kitchen and food
Bedtime and bathroom
Rainy-day kit
Clothes (per person)
You can usually buy these there: Milk, bread, fruit and basics, Firewood or logs, Snacks, Toiletries. Leave room in the case.
Tips
- Ask the owner for the inventory list: it tells you exactly what not to pack.
- Order or buy the first night’s food in advance, so you’re not hunting for a shop on arrival.
- Pack a box of ‘house’ things (washing-up liquid, bin bags, tea towels, loo roll) that live in the boot and stay packed between trips.
- Download films and music before you go, in case signal is poor.
Common questions
What should I take on a cottage holiday with kids?
Bedtime comforts, wet-weather gear, rainy-day games, basic food for the first night and the small house things (washing-up liquid, bin bags). Check what the owner provides first.
Do I need to take bedding and towels?
Not always. Check the booking: some cottages provide them, many charge extra, and some expect you to bring your own.
How do I keep children busy if it rains?
A small box of board games, cards and craft bits, a few downloaded films, and waterproofs so you can still get outside for a splash.