Countryside break packing essentials

There’s nothing like getting some respite from city life with a relaxing countryside break to soothe the soul. But what to pack for your countryside break you might ask?

The temptation is to leave it to the last minute and panic pack half your wardrobe whilst clutching a chardonnay, throwing clothes and shoes into a giant holdall to have all weathers and occasions covered.

Plan ahead with my Countryside break packing essentials list to ensure you have countryside break packing essentials as well as a few travel luxuries.

This bumper list is designed to help ladies pack smarter for their countryside break and weekend escapes.

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Packing hacks

I have a few quick tips and tricks to help you pack like a pro straight off the bat.

Some of my favourite countrside packing hacks include:

• If you are flying, wear your heaviest clothes to the airport
• Use compression packing cubes to save space
• Pack laundry bags to separate dirty clothes
• Bring travel-sized toiletries rather than full-size
• Use an electronic organiser for all your chargers
• Use a travel-size luggage scale to weigh your luggage before check-in

Countryside break luggage

A small and lightweight bag is the smart choice for a countryside break

Reduce the amount you pack by only taking a small suitcase or back for your trip. If you are flying, you’ll save both time packing and money on baggage fees.

Cabin Luggage suitcase

The Cabin Max Travel Hack Cabin Luggage Suitcase is great for short countryside breaks and weekend getaways.

Its 28-litre main compartment comes with built-in packing straps and handy zipped internal pockets to help you to separate your luggage.

Packing Cubes

Organise your packing system with a set of travel packing cubes that allow you to sort your laundry from fresh clothes and separate your shoes from your smalls.

Layout all your travel items before you put them in your case and then group into clothes, underwear, gadgets and toiletries etc.

If you then put them into separate packing cubes, you will be super organised when you arrive at your countryside destination.

Dresses

You want a range of pretty, floaty dresses for a posh countryside break. You can wear a wrap to a gastropub or look radiant in a wrap dress in the hotel bar.

I am a big fan of this gorgeous floral wrap dress from JD Williams. This floaty dress has ‘2 in 1 shorts’ and an overlay skirt.

This means which can be easily dressed up for a trip to a boutique tea house or worn for a quick stroll around a country park.

Maxi dress

I would also pack a stylish maxi dress for those trips out into countryside villages.

I particularly love the JD Williams dress below, it’s extremely flattering to wear with a cinched waist and floaty skirt.

You can pair this dress with knee-high boots or with sandals, for a more casual daytime look.

Stylish Hat

No matter what the weather, you can’t go wrong with a statement hat on your countryside break.

You can pair a cute cotton baker boy cap with a leather jacket for a super sultry look, rock a Straw Trilby, or choose a large sun hat for the ultimate ‘summer tea party’ look.

Kimono

If the weather turns on you, make sure you have a cosy wrap to hand. Make sure it’s roomy enough to fit comfortably on top of whatever you’re already wearing.

I adore the Zita Jacquard Knit Kimono from Weird Fish, it’s really warm and luxurious on those chilly country nights.

Sandals

Pack some pretty wedge sandals for countryside elegance. I am a big fan of the sandals range from JD Williams.

They are so comfortable to wear and they match a range of outfits from maxi dresses to jeans.

I would also pack a pair of plain black sandals  They are ideal for pottering around a cottage or to accompany a dressy outfit for a day trip out.

Casual clothing

Try packing a few casual pieces for a bracing country stroll or for relaxing by the fire you ideally want comfort without compromising on quality.

I recommend checking out ladies knitwear from Celtic & Co and wrap up warm in stylish super-soft jumpers knitwear and cardigans all made in Great Britain.

These gorgeous items are perfect for those cosy moments reading a book or listening to some music on a luxurious manor house stay.

Swimwear

If you discover your hotel has a spa, or your lodge has a hot tub then you could waste valuable vacation time trying to hunt down a reasonably priced pair.

Throw some in your case and be safe in the knowledge that you can be ‘pool ready’ in a jiffy.

I particularly love the range of swimwear from JD Williams. They have a great selection of bikinis, bathing suits and kaftans that are perfect for your next hot tub break in a luxury lodge.

Reusable water bottle

Save money and reduce your plastic waste by travelling with a reusable water bottle on your next city break. 

I love the Bambaw Steel Water Bottle, it has a minimalist design with stainless steel and a sleek bamboo lid. 

You can fill your water bottle up at airports, cafes and train stations in many European cities.

Wellies

Be sure to pack wellies or sturdy boots for a walk around the countryside. The weather can be pretty unpredictable in the UK, so it is always a smart move to be prepared.

Personally, I think nothing beats a good pair of Hunter wellies for long walks or running through fields of wheat.

Set your inner child free and splash in puddles and dirty up those wellies, you will completely own that ‘country girl’ look upon arrival at the pub for lunch. The locals will love you for it.

Countryside break toiletries

My advice would be to pack small and smart when it comes to countryside break toiletries.

Instead of buying full-size shampoo, conditioner and body wash, I use shampoo bars and refillable travel bottles.

They are much smaller than normal-sized bottles and can be used over and over again.

If your boutique country hotel has a bath, then may I suggest packing a bath bomb for pure indulgence.

For a countryside break I would aim to pack these travel sized-toiletry essentials:  

• toothpaste
• Deodorant
• Moisturiser
• Body wash
• Shampoo and conditioner
• Brush
• Makeup and make-up remover
• Travel-sized perfume

Kindle

Should you wish to have a cup of earl grey in a quiet countryside teahouse whilst you get lost in a book then I would recommend packing a Kindle.

Gone are the days of lugging around 5-6 beach reads with this ingenious device.

I would personally invest in a Kindle Paperwhite, it is lightweight, with long battery life and is easily carried around in a small bag.

Headphones

If you embark on a solitary walk through the fields it might be nice to have a soothing playlist to listen to as you stroll.

I love the uber-cool MA650 Wireless headphones from RHA Audio. They are Sweatproof and water-resistant in a downpour, making them an ideal choice for countryside walking.

Picnic hampers and Gift baskets

There’s nothing more romantic than an impromptu picnic in the countryside.

Be sure to pack a fully stocked hamper and you can whip it out when the sun breaks through the clouds.

If you don’t fancy packing a hamper yourself, you can always order a  gift basket full of goodies, to take on your countryside break.

Stretch the budget that extra mile and treat yourself to a luxurious hamper, chocolate basket or gourmet baskets all filled with high-quality food and drink.

Why not order some Welsh produce from Discover Delicious? They all manner of foodie delights that are reared, grown or crafted in Wales.

Countryside break

Looking for ways to save up for a countryside break? Make sure to check out my 21 easy ways to save money for travel article.

This article is full of practical tips to help you save money towards your next city break adventure.

Prefer audio content? Listen to this episode Travel Goals Podcast – how to save for travel.

What do you think of this holiday packing list? Do you think I have covered all the Countryside break essentials, should anything be added to the list? Let me know in the comments below!

Planning your countryside break

Ready to book your countryside break? Use these awesome travel resources to get you started:

• Search for the best flight deals with Skyscanner
• Search for the best hotel deals on Booking.com
• Get the best travel tips with a travel guidebook
• Book an Airbnb and have £25 towards your first booking
• Get the best destination recommendations from TripAdvisor

Check out all the best travel resources on my bumper travel resources page!

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