My UK Packing List Review: What I Packed vs. What I Actually Used

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Creating a UK packing list for a two-week trip wasn’t as straightforward as I expected. With multiple destinations, unpredictable weather, and a variety of activities on the itinerary, I spent hours planning and deciding what to pack for Scotland and England.

After returning home, I realized some items would have a permanent place on my travel packing list, while others never left my suitcase.

If you’re putting together your own UK packing list, here’s an honest look at what worked, what didn’t, and what I’d do differently next time.

Before You Dive In…

Before this trip, I put together a detailed packing guide based on my research and what I expected to need for two weeks in the UK. If you’re still in the planning stages, you can start with my UK Packing List for Scotland & England for a complete list of my packing recommendations.

This article is the follow-up. Now that I’ve returned home, I’m sharing what actually happened: the items I reached for every day, the things that stayed buried in my suitcase, and what I’ll definitely pack (or leave behind) on my next UK adventure.

My Trip at a Glance

To give this packing review some context, here’s what my itinerary looked like.

• Trip Length: 16 days (including travel days)
• Time of Year: July
• Destinations:
  • Shetland Islands
  • Liverpool
  • The Open Championship
  • London
• Weather:
  • Shetland – Cool, partly cloudy, light rain one day. Daytime temps between 57-60 degrees Fahrenheit (14-15 degrees Celsius).
  • Liverpool, The Open, London – Sunny, warm and dry. Daytime temps between 77-82 degrees Fahrenheit (25-27 degrees Celsius)
• Luggage: Medium-sized checked bag and a backpack (We had strict luggage weight limits due to the aircraft flying us to and from the Shetland Islands)
• Laundry: Handwashed a few items in the sink/tub.

Although every destination was different, I quickly discovered that a few pieces of clothing became my everyday favorites.

The Biggest Packing Lesson I Learned

The biggest challenge with packing for this trip was that I had to make most of my decisions before I knew the actual forecast for Liverpool, The Open, and London. I packed based on historical weather, expecting cooler temperatures and a fair amount of rain.

Instead, I ended up being overprepared for rain and underprepared for warm weather. Several layers never left my suitcase, while I wished I’d packed a few more lightweight tops.

That experience taught me that a UK packing list doesn’t have to prepare you for every possible scenario. Pack the essentials, leave a little extra room in your suitcase, and remember that cities like Liverpool and London have plenty of stores if the weather surprises you.

My UK Packing List Winners

These were the items that justified every inch of suitcase space.

Waterproof Rain Jacket

This rain jacket has been my go-to for a couple of years now. I take it with me on every summer trip to Europe.  It’s lightweight and takes up very little room in my suitcase. Even though I only used it once on this trip, I’ll never not bring it with me.

View my favorite rain jacket on Amazon 

Comfortable Walking Shoes

I wore these shoes Every. Single. Day. My feet were extremely happy. I know these aren’t technically advertised as water-resistant, but finding comfortable wide-width shoes isn’t easy, so I’d rather travel with something I know I can wear all day. While they won’t replace waterproof hiking shoes, they kept my feet noticeably drier than my mesh sneakers would have. 

See my shoes on Amazon

Denim Jacket

I bring a white or denim jacket with me on almost every trip. It’s a great layer, and it instantly makes my casual outfits look more intentional. I threw this jacket on over my casual clothes for dinner every night in Shetland as well as over a casual dress for our anniversary dinner. It also works on the plane as an extra layer.

View my jacket at Old Navy 

Crossbody Bag

I’ve been using this bag for a few years. I’ve even replaced it after accidentally letting a chocolate bar melt inside one of the pockets. It holds everything I need for a day of sightseeing, including my portable charger and camera.

View my favorite crossbody bag on Amazon

Joggers

I used to be a jeans die-hard, but lately, I’ve switched over to joggers for spring/summer trips in Europe. Joggers are so much more comfortable than any jeans I own and much more flexible. The right joggers can be worn for hiking, golfing, sightseeing, and even to casual restaurants. They are full length so your legs are covered if the weather is rainy and cool, but they are light enough that you could wear them on warmer days.

Check out my joggers on Amazon

Portable Fan

I will never travel without this one!. I’m from Texas, I’m over 40, and I’m used to air moving all the time. Even in locations with cool evenings like Shetland, I need the air to move. This little fan fits in my purse; it was perfect at The Open, in Liverpool, and I put it on my bedside table in my hotel room and Airbnb to keep the air moving. My husband forgot his and spent the entire trip regretting it.

Get my fan on Amazon

Travel Adapter

These are a no-brainer. They are essential for charging all of your devices after a long day of sightseeing. I loved having more than one so I could charge my phone on one and use the other one in a different room.

See my UK adapters on Amazon

Other Items I Was Glad I Packed

• Portable Charger 
• Water Bottle 
• Foldable Backpack – perfect for long days at The Open
• Portable Sound Machine

What I Packed but Barely Used

No UK packing list is perfect, and this trip was no exception. Here are the items that took up valuable suitcase space but barely got used.

Rain Pants

Why I packed it:
I packed rain pants because I was worried about rain on our days at The Open. Since attending The Open was our primary purpose for traveling this summer, I didn’t want to have to leave, and I didn’t want to be cold and wet either.

Why I didn’t use it:
It didn’t rain at all while we were in England. In fact, near Liverpool and Southport where The Open took place, it hadn’t rained for a while.  I know every year is different, but unless I knew for sure rain was in the forecast, I would probably take my chances or consider buying something if the weather forecast changed

Sweater/Long-Sleeved Shirts

Why I packed it:
I thought I’d need more warm layers in Shetland because I was traveling from a Texas summer where 100-degree days were the norm. I assumed the temperature difference would make Shetland feel much colder than it actually did.  

Why I didn’t use it:
The sweater and long-sleeved shirts stayed folded in my suitcase for the entire trip. A denim jacket over a short-sleeved shirt was more than enough for me, even in Shetland. If I were packing again, I’d trade those bulky layers for a couple of extra short-sleeved tops that I could have worn during the warmer weather in Liverpool and London. 

Golf Pants

Why I packed it:
We had planned to play a round of golf at a local course in Southport. Since I didn’t know which course we’d be playing before we left, I wasn’t sure if there would be a dress code. Golf pants seemed like the safest option. 

Why I didn’t use it:
As our trip got closer, I realized the forecast for Liverpool was calling for unusually warm weather. Fortunately, our son was meeting us there for The Open and our golf round, so I asked him to stop by my house and bring one of my golf skirts instead. The warmer weather made the skirt a much more comfortable choice, and the golf pants stayed in my suitcase. 

What I Wished Was On My UK Packing List

Even after carefully planning my UK packing list, there were still a few things I wish I’d brought.

Athletic Skirts 

I was lucky that my son was meeting us in Liverpool and able to bring my golf skirt, but next time I’ll need to be better prepared. I love these golf skirts; they have tons of pockets for my phone, balls, tees, glove, etc. They are also cute enough to wear for a day of sightseeing, and the built in shorts are perfect for avoiding inner thigh chafing

Disclosure: I packed and wore this golf skirt on my trip, and it’s one I regularly wear for golf at home. The product is featured as part of an Amazon Creator Connections campaign. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases and may receive additional compensation through this campaign. 

Check out my favorite athletic skirt on Amazon

Shorts

Why it would have helped:
I brought one pair of these shorts, and I ended up wearing them a lot. They are easy to pair with a variety of tops and take up almost no space in a suitcase. Next time on a summer trip,  I’ll bring at least 2-3 of these shorts 

See  my shorts at J. Crew Factory

Casual Dress

How I’d use it next time:
I love these cute casual dresses from Walmart. They are cotton so you stay nice and cool, and they can be dressed up or down for sightseeing. I brought one on this trip, but next time I’ll bring two, especially if I don’t have access to a washer/dryer.

See my favorite dress at Walmart

All-Terrain Shoes

Why I would consider packing these:
Depending on your plans, you might want to consider bringing a sturdier pair of hiking tennis shoes. Several of our “walks” in Shetland were actually more like hikes, and it would have been helpful to have shoes designed for varied terrain. My favorite walking shoes did the job, but these might be a better option if suitcase space is available.

View my favorite shoes on Amazon

5 Things Surprised Me About Packing for the UK

Even after careful planning before my trip, a few things still caught me off guard. These were my biggest takeaways after spending more than two weeks traveling through the UK.

The Weather Wasn’t Nearly as Predictable as I Expected

I knew the UK had a reputation for changing weather, but what surprised me most was how difficult it was to pack before knowing the actual forecast. By the time the detailed weather reports became available, my suitcase was already packed. I prepared for cool temperatures and plenty of rain, but Liverpool, The Open, and London ended up being warm, sunny, and dry for most of our visit.

Shetland Didn’t Feel as Cold as I Thought It Would

Coming from a Texas summer, I assumed temperatures in the upper 50s would feel freezing. Instead, I found them surprisingly comfortable. A short-sleeved shirt paired with my denim jacket was enough for nearly everything we did, and my sweaters never left the suitcase.

Versatile Clothes Beat “Just in Case” Clothes

The items I wore most were pieces that worked in multiple situations. Joggers, short-sleeved tops, my denim jacket, and comfortable walking shoes could easily transition from sightseeing during the day to dinner in the evening. The specialty items I packed “just in case” ended up taking valuable suitcase space.

You Don’t Have to Pack for Every Possibility

This was probably my biggest lesson. I used to think I needed to prepare for every possible weather scenario before leaving home. Now I’d rather leave a little extra room in my suitcase and adapt if needed. Since London and Liverpool have plenty of clothing stores at every price point, buying one extra layer would have been easier than carrying several I never used.

Comfort Wins Every Time

If I had to choose between packing something fashionable or something I knew I’d be comfortable wearing all day, I’d choose comfort every time. My favorite walking shoes, joggers, and crossbody bag were the true winners of this trip because they made long sightseeing days much more enjoyable.

Travel always teaches you something, and this trip reminded me that packing smarter isn’t about bringing more; it’s about bringing the right things.

What I’d Pack Differently on My Next UK Trip

If I were creating my UK packing list today, here’s exactly what I’d pack for a similar summer itinerary.

Instead of…	I’d Pack…	Why
Sweater	Extra t-shirt	Better for the warm weather I experienced
Long-sleeved shirts	Extra shorts	Better for warm weather in Liverpool & London
Rain pants	Leave the space empty	Buy them only if the forecast changes
Golf pants	Golf skirt	More comfortable in warm weather
Extra layers	Another casual dress	Easier to wear multiple times

What I Learned From This Trip

If there’s one thing I learned, it’s that no UK packing list can perfectly predict the weather. I’d pack a little lighter next time, focus on versatile pieces I know I’ll wear, and leave a little extra room in my suitcase rather than trying to prepare for every possible scenario.

No matter what the forecast says, the best packing list is the one that lets you spend less time worrying about your suitcase and more time enjoying your trip.

If you’re planning a trip to Scotland, England, or a similar itinerary, I’d love to hear what ended up being your most-used travel item, or the one thing you wish you’d packed.