First time self catering - what do I need to take?

SoozyJ22

Hi everyone. Next week I'm going on my first self catering holiday since I was a child and I've realised I have no idea what's provided and what I have to take myself. Obviously I need to take my own food, but what about things like loo roll, cleaning supplies, washing up liquid, tea towels etc? It's not a problem to take my own, but I don't want to take things and then find they are provided. Or is it the kind of thing that varies from place to place so I should contact the owners to find this out? It's in the UK if that makes any difference.

If anyone has any tips on things to take that I might not think of, that would be appreciated too!

Thanks

OneYorkshireLass

If you've booked through an agent they usually have an inventory on their site/in the brochure - they should certainly tell you about towels/linen (as should any independent owner).

But we always take loo rolls, cleaner etc because you're generally expected to replace these if they run out anyway. Some cottages will have a small supply of condiments but this isn't guaranteed and I always find there's next to nothing in the bottles/jars anyway, so best to take ketchup/mayo etc with you (you can buy small bottles of these from most supermarkets which saves on space).

My biggest tip is to pack tea bags where you can easily reach them (we're always dying for a cuppa when we've had a long journey) and a packet of biscuits (cos we're always starving!). Every time we've stayed in a cottage there has been a pint of milk provided.

vikingaero

Google the locations of the major supermarkets near where you are staying - Sainsburys/Tesco/Morrisons/Asda/Lidl/Aldi. If they are close buy then you could buy the bulky heavy/stuff when you get there.

p00hsticks

I always take my decent small kitchen knife, cling film and kitchen foil. Also some dishwashing tablets, and washing machine soap powder tablets (assuming there is a dishwasher and washing machine) as you'll only need a few, so don't want to be buying a full pack when you get there.

barbarawright

OneYorkshireLass wrote: »

If you've booked through an agent they usually have an inventory on their site/in the brochure - they should certainly tell you about towels/linen (as should any independent owner).

But we always take loo rolls, cleaner etc because you're generally expected to replace these if they run out anyway. Some cottages will have a small supply of condiments but this isn't guaranteed and I always find there's next to nothing in the bottles/jars anyway, so best to take ketchup/mayo etc with you (you can buy small bottles of these from most supermarkets which saves on space).

My biggest tip is to pack tea bags where you can easily reach them (we're always dying for a cuppa when we've had a long journey) and a packet of biscuits (cos we're always starving!). Every time we've stayed in a cottage there has been a pint of milk provided.

You've been lucky with milk - I've never had it provided. But then it's never occurred to me to replace loo paper or cleaning stuff. I usually pick up a few sachets of salt and pepper from a pub to take with me in case it's not provided.

p00hsticks

barbarawright wrote: »

You've been lucky with milk - I've never had it provided.

Me neither. I'd expect (but haven't always found) basic cleaning items (washing up liquid, cloths, bath cleaner etc) but no expendable food stuffs - just perhaps condiments like salt & pepper if lucky.

My pet hate is finding a bottle of wine and flowers, which I don't appreciate - I'd rather have paid £10 less for the rental.

DigForVictory

My chaps are picky, so I have a tiny lock & lock with a couple of oxo cubes, a couple of veg stock cubes, a siplock with a couple of spoons of chilli powerder in, likewise bisto & italian seasoning. (The car already has vinegar, brown & red sauce, chilli sauce & Hendersons, as chip shops vary...)

That said, if you don't ask & get an answer then small pan, big pan, wooden spoon, small kitchen knife, tin opener, corkscrew, decanted washing up liquid & pan scrub, one good to heat & eat meal, all the doings for your preferred brew including sugar & milk, & the addresses of both (a) nearest pub & (b) nearest supermarket.

Twisted_Cherry

My mum also took her own frying pan, her tin opener and a decent knife or two! I would also recommend the basics like coffee, tea, cereal etc..

Like someone else said check out where the nearest supermarkets are if you don't want to be lugging loads with you. Avoid on site shops as they are overpriced!

Mojisola

SoozyJ22 wrote: »

Next week I'm going on my first self catering holiday since I was a child and I've realised I have no idea what's provided and what I have to take myself. Obviously I need to take my own food, but what about things like loo roll, cleaning supplies, washing up liquid, tea towels etc? It's not a problem to take my own, but I don't want to take things and then find they are provided. Or is it the kind of thing that varies from place to place so I should contact the owners to find this out? It's in the UK if that makes any difference.

It varies a lot in my experience.

One place didn't supply toilet rolls - although she did provide kitchen rolls and a range of condiments, etc.

Where TS and cleaning stuff has been supplied, I've never replaced the ones we've used and I've never seen any suggestion that we should have done so.

If there is a dishwasher, you may not find any hand washing-up liquid which is a nuisance if you just want to wash one or two items.

We always take our own frying pan, a sharp knife and peeler.

SoozyJ22

Thanks for the tips everyone. I'm not planning to do too much cooking so will leave the frying pan at home, but will definitely take a knife and peeler as I'm picky about those. I wouldn't have thought about taking those so thanks. I haven't checked all the supermarket websites yet, but the nearest I've found so far is about half an hour away and the only shop in the village looks very small so I'll make sure I have all my breakfast food and a couple of ready meals and then hopefully pick up other food when I'm out and about.

joerugby

The main variable in our experience is towels - some do and some don't, it's worth checking.

As far as the rest is concerned, wait and see. It adds to the surprise!