What to Pack When the Cottage Already Has the Basics

Most self-catering cottages come stocked with the essentials, which makes packing both easier and slightly confusing. You know there will be a kettle and a frying pan, but you don’t always know whether there will be cling film, a sharp knife, or enough tea towels to get through a rainy week. A little planning saves a frustrating drive to an unfamiliar supermarket on your first evening.

Things owners rarely provide

Even well-equipped properties tend to leave out the small consumables. It is worth bringing a few of these from home rather than assuming they will be waiting for you.

• Salt, pepper, cooking oil and your favourite tea or coffee
• Bin bags in the right size for the kitchen caddy
• A decent reading light or head torch for older properties
• Phone chargers with long cables, as sockets are often awkwardly placed

Check before you assume

If the listing mentions a welcome pack, read the detail. Some include milk and a loaf; others mean a single sachet of coffee. A quick message to the owner before you travel clears up questions about cots, high chairs, washing machines and whether the wood burner comes with logs.

For longer stays, treat the first food shop as a small one rather than a full week’s haul. You will discover what the kitchen actually has once you start cooking, and you can top up from there. Pack clothes for weather you are not expecting too, since cottages are often in places where the forecast changes by the hour. A warm layer and waterproofs earn their space in the bag far more reliably than a third pair of shoes.