The Essential Self-Catering Holiday Packing List
Are you off on a self-catering holiday soon? Well, you’ve come to the right place to help you plan your break. This post includes our self-catering holiday packing list whether you are staying in the UK or abroad, as well as some tips and tricks for making the most of your accommodation.
We love a self-catering holiday and the freedom it gives you to plan your own day and meal times. With young kids in tow the second part is extremely important.
Catered resorts often plan meal times later than our girls deem acceptable. However, the challenge with self-catering holidays is to find a balance between having to use the onsite store for essentials you could have brought from home and packing so much that you have to dig the kids out of the car.
If you’re planning a self-catering holiday, whether it’s in a touring caravan, luxury lodge, cottage, or glamping tent, you’ll probably be in the same position. So I’ve given it a bit of thought and below is my self catering packing list.
For more travel advice and reviews take a look at my tips for smashing travel with kids and sign up to my newsletter.
Looking for tried and tested self-catering holidays? Here’s some of our favourite self-catering holidays in Cornwall.
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Self-catering checklist: what to take on a family holiday
Below is what you need for self-catering holidays including food, cleaning items, stuff for the kids and dog, and those items that may or may not be included. It’s always best to check!
I’ve also thrown in some self-catering holiday tips and tricks. Enjoy!
Self-catering shopping list
Here’s a list of groceries to add to your self-catering shopping list or bring from home:
- Kitchen roll – handy for spills, noses, bottoms…the list goes on
- Toilet roll – no need for explanation but very pricy if you’re just buying a few
- Tea bags and coffee – I’m big on brews
- Condiments* – what Tommy sauce or strawberry jam lover would be without it?
- Cooking oil spray – much less likely to leak during the journey and its healthier
- Squash/fruit cordial
- Cling film – you’ll definitely need it for sandwiches and resealing any open containers on your return trip
- Margarine – you’ll be dipping into it every day, so why not bring your own supply
- Milk
- Bread
- Snacks
Check before you travel, do they: allow supermarket deliveries? And where is the closest shop, take away, cafe and restaurant?
Packing crates* make shifting essential groceries from your car to your accommodation easy peasy.
Cleaning essentials for your self catering packing list
I always bring some household and cleaning basics with us when we are staying in mobile homes and cottages. Self-catering accommodation doesn’t always have the following:
- Washing liquid and sponge – these may be supplied but better safe than sorry
- Antibacterial wipes – I always like to whip round with one of these when we arrive
- Bin bags
- Hand wash – the last thing you want on holiday is to pick up a bug
- Washing detergent – if you have any sample sized detergent sachets these are ideal to take with you.
Check before you travel, do they have: washing up bowls, tea towels, a dishwasher, a washing machine, a tumble dryer.
Things to pack for the kids
Here’s some must-have items to pack if you are on a self-catering holiday with babies or children:
- Nappies, nappy bags, rash cream, baby wipes – if you’re in this stage you wouldn’t go anywhere without them anyway
- Buckets and spades – it’s so much cheaper to take them with you than buy again at the beach
- Milton bucket* and tablets for baby bottles
- Compact travel stroller* – we love the Baby Jogger City Tour as it’s light-weight and compact. Read our review here.
- Baby carrier* – we used a few different types as our girls grew. Backpack and front carriers with structure suited us better for outdoor activities. If you’re wondering what your options are for baby and child carriers, then we can recommend BabyBjorn for young babies and the Freeloader child carrier for toddlers.
- Travel cot – we used the pram top off TBB’s Quinny Buzz*, which fitted into small spaces easily. If you have more space to play with there are lots of other travel cots available on Amazon.
- Travel games – magnetic board games*, activity books* and Top Trumps* are handy for the car and for when you arrive at your destination.
Here’s a longer list of games that are ideal for holidays.
Check before you travel, do they have: children’s cutlery and plates, high chairs, a potty, stair gates, blackout blinds.
Packing for a dog-friendly self-catering holiday
One of the very best things about self-catering holidays is we can often bring Tin Box Dog with us. Here’s what’s on our packing list for pet-friendly accommodation:
- Dog food – we would be in big trouble with Tin Box Dog if we didn’t take this
- Dentastix – see above
- A lead
- Poo bags
- A dog towel
- Dog bowl* – yep, she’s fussy about eating dinner off the floor
- Dog bed.
Check before you travel, do they have: dog beds, dog towels. If you need inspiration for dog-friendly places to stay in the UK here’s some tried and tested ideas.
If you’re looking for pet-friendly breaks here’s some dog-friendly UK holidays.
Everything else for your self-catering holiday packing list
Of course, all self-catering holiday accommodation is different so check what basic kit will be available when you book. Here’s what you need for a self-catering holiday that may or may not be provided:
- Bedding and towels – some holiday home owners may ask you to pay a supplement for bedding so check ahead
- Beach towels* – most self-catering accommodation won’t supply these
- Toiletries – if you ask Mr Tin Box he’ll say this is what fills up most of the car
- Pencil case – because there’s never a pen around when you need it
- First aid kit* – you don’t like to think of accidents happening while you’re on holiday but it never hurts to be prepared.
What to take for a self-catering holiday abroad
Packing to stay in a mobile home abroad can be a little tricky, especially if you are flying in and hiring a car rather than catching a ferry.
We have done several self-catering holidays in European holiday parks so I’ve written a separate post including what you need to consider and pack for mobile home holidays abroad.
What have I forgotten? What’s at the top of your self-catering holiday packing list?
Self-catering holiday tips and tricks
As well as acing packing for your self-catering holiday, here’s some more tips and tricks that will help you make the most of your break:
Tip 1: supermarket deliveries
Check with the holiday provider whether you can have a supermarket delivery to your accommodation. This will save precious space in your care and ensure you don’t have to dash out to the shops straight away
Tip 2: food for your first night
At the very least have your first night’s meal and breakfast for the first day planned. Pizza and cereals are super say to transport.
Tip 3: check your appliances
Always check what appliances and kitchen tools will be available. No one wants to miss out on their morning coffee if there’s no cafetiere
Tip 4: parking and unpacking
Find out whether there’s parking directly outside your accommodation. If not, consider how you are going to shift all your gear. Crates and maybe even a trolley might a a handy addition to your holiday packing list.
More tips for travelling with kids
If you’re looking for more tips for travelling with kids then check out my travel tips posts and holiday checklists.
Or if you need some inspiration for you next family holiday take a look at my tried, tested and recommended trip ideas.
You’re going to love these posts too:
- Must-have items for travelling with young kids
- Essentials for caravanning with a baby
- Best ideas for entertaining kids during a long car journey
- What equipment you really need when you start caravanning
- A packing list for glamping with kids
- Camper van equipment you need for van life
- Great travel games for camping holidays
- What to pack for a holiday in Europe
For more travel advice and reviews take a look at my tips for smashing travel with kids and sign up to my newsletter.
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Having done a caravan holiday this year I would also add tea towels, pegs and a toilet brush 🙂
Have fun!
#PoCoLo
We stay in lots of self catering accommodation and never quite seem to get it right. We've stayed in expensive places that don't provide any basics (loo roll) but in May we stayed in a lovely cheap cottage that provided everything we'd possibly need! The only thing I'd add to your list are a lighter (useful for a BBQ) and a torch, just in case. #pocolo
I always carry my own condiments but I bring those packets from fast food store so that they dont take much space if the trip is short. And those ziplock bags are so handy for everything and anything too!
Such lovely list!
#pocolo
Great list! I would second the torch and of course wellies and sandals, you never know what the weather will be like! 🙂 x
Hehehe. My family always went on self catering holidays but were very much of the Pack! All! The! Things! mentality. We filled the car, the mirror dinghy we were twoing *and* a roofrack for two weeks in the Lake District.
So while I admire your minilamlism, what I have to ask is, where are the two weeks supply of fray bentos pies, the catering pack of smash and the five 1000 piece jigsaw puzzles?
I love caravan holidays and pack pretty much the same as you, my essential has got to be pillows, I hate the thought of lying n other people's dribble Ali from Mum in a Nutshell guest hosting at #PocoLo
Great list Claire – you know I always take washing up stuff and dettol wipes now, because you're right, more often than not, they never provide them!
Great list for packing. Maybe we could add some toys too?
#TwinklyTuesday
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nhengswonderland.blogspot.com
Fab list Claire, I'd also say check with where you are staying first as we provide many of these things either in the property or in our borrow room. #TwinklyTuesday
You are so much more organised than me and have things I wouldn't think of. We are going to Camp Bestival and Eurocamp soon and I think I will steal this list to help me 🙂 Thanks for linking up to #TheList x
Wow! A toilet brush. I'd have hoped they might supply one of them. I'll report back!!
Excellent suggestions. We always have a lighter and torch in our caravan. I'll definitely be adding them to my list!
Great idea to being sachets of condiments. And I'm also a fan of ziplock bags.
We'll definitely be packing clothes for all weather – we're going to be a bit exposed where we are so it would be rubbish to have to stay in if it gets wet x
Eeek! We need to get s roof box 😉
Euew! I hadn't thought of that. Pillows may get added to the list!! X
I don't think that people who provide holiday lets without these essentials have ever gone self-catering themselves. Either that or they are trying to save money!
Most definitely. A small selection of toys will be coming with us, including a few new ones for the Tot to open in the car for road trip entertainment.
Great idea about the sachets. I do that with my toiletries too 🙂
Thanks!
Yes, definitely check with where you are staying. It sounds like you've got things covered. It really does help when someone with kids is in charge! 🙂
Thanks and good luck with your packing! Let me know how you get on x
Please do. Have a great time and let me know how you get on with the packing x
I agree, it's little things like oil/pepper/herbs to cook with – I do love it when somewhere thinks if those, along with the odd laundry sachet. Handwash/Vanish used to make an appearance on the list too when my daughter was younger – and then books/puzzles/games/crayons/tablet 🙂
We have a standard ‘self-catering box’ which comes out every year with most of the items you’ve listed above. We replenish stocks after the holiday, pop it in the garage attic and it’s ready again. We include just a few extras: mugs (because S/C cottages/caravans etc. often only offer small teacups – no good for that morning cuppa!), citronella candles for those balmy evenings sat outside, a bungy (you know a stretchy thing with hooks on – which we always end up using for something), pegs and ant deterrent (hot summers mean ants).
Great additions, especially the bungy – they always come in from something, don’t they?! And the extra big mugs. Mine at home are huge. Nothing less than half a pint of tea in the morning will do 🙂
This is a great list for camping and caravaning but I agree with Fiona about checking ahead with a self-catering cottage because any decent place should provide much of this. In my place we provide everything you have mentioned (and most of the extras other people have suggested) except clothes (!), pram and nappy stuff. We pride ourselves on making travel easy for families so they DON’T have to lug all this – we even lend bucket, spades, UV tent etc for the beach, and of course we have big mugs (in fact 3 different sizes!)
Phoebe | Lou Messugo recently posted…One of the best places on earth!
That’s great Phoebe. I think a lot more accommodation providers like yourself are becoming much more switched on to the needs of families. I love it when a list of items is provided on the website so I can check things off against my own list. There’s nothing worse than preparing yourself by packing everything and then finding it’s already there! Woo hoo for the big mugs 🙂
Clothes are quite important. If you are going somewhere warm, don’t forget a jumper for colder evenings and likewise, if you don’t take them because you are going in the spring/autumn, shorts or lighter clothing are worth having as it may be warmer than you think.
Not sad at all and I’m sure you’re not the only one. You sound very organised!
Squash? As in, the gourd? Seems like such a random item on the list, especially among staples like bread, milk and margarine. Maybe I’m missing something…
Hi Cassandra, sorry for the confusion. I don’t mean the vegetable. I mean fruit squash, like a cordial. Its commonly known as ‘squash’ in the UK.
Hi, great list.
Tomorrow myself, my husband and my cousin and partner are all going to stay in a lodge with hot tub and sauna, just for the weekend. You should see my list!!!!.
As alcohol is going to be involved I ALWAYS pack PLASTIC wine/prosecco glasses!!, Absolute must!!! Also on the list is scented votive candles and lighter, our own blankets and throws, I pod and I pod speaker dock and EXTENSION LEAD . Sweetex and earl grey teabags, Cards Of Humanity, domino’s and playing cards, and of course agood book. Second the loo roll and torch, elastoplasts, paracetamol, tweezers, nail file. Your own towels and pillows standard. Lol quite exhaustive list including all of the obvious items like phone charger, clothes, shoes, underwear coat and money!!
Sounds like you are going to make it feel just like home. Don’t forget to reuse those plastic glasses 🙂 Have a great time!