UK Autumn Staycation: 7-Day Packing Guide
Tom and I were bereft at becoming empty nesters, so the day after we dropped off our second young adult to uni, we drove to Dorset, Devon and Cornwall for a seven-day staycation.
I cannot stress enough the importance of packing lots of light layers for autumn staycations—I’ve lost count of the number of times we added and peeled off layers during the day. The temperature varies from morning to noon to night, but when walking, hiking, or cycling, it’s easier to regulate your temperature with light layers that you can pop in a rucksack. Packing chunky knits doesn’t cut the mustard, as you’ll overheat, and they are too bulky to carry.
Packing waterproof gear, which you can wear or carry in a rucksack, is also essential, as the weather is very temperamental. There can be sunshine, showers, wind, and fog on the same day! We were lucky it didn’t rain, but we had all the gear just in case it did. You can’t trust the weather forecast, so be safe rather than sorry.
We stayed with my lovely university friend in Perranporth. She has a self-contained granny flat on the ground floor of her house. We ate brekky in the flat, took a packed lunch for the day, and mostly cooked our evening meals, which we ate with our friends. We only went out for dinner a couple of times and visited friends in other parts of Cornwall and Devon, and that’s when I changed into something smarter, like a dress. Depending on your staycation, some of the ‘What to Pack’ items may or may not apply to you depending on milder or extreme weather conditions or the type of holiday you’re going on; ours tend to be quite active. I did swim in the sea, but be careful as there are strong currents, and I would only recommend (at this time of the year) swimming with flags and the RNLI on hand.
HERE’S THE VIDEO AND MY OUTFITS ARE LINKED IN MY INSTAGRAM BIO UNDER ‘LTK’
WHAT TO PACK
I roll everything, so you don’t need to iron anything while away. I also keep organised with packing cubes—an absolute game changer. Click here to see the ones I have and use them on repeat. Take plenty of plastic bags for wet clothes, dirty clothes, dirty shoes, etc.
All the fabrics in my clothes were natural fibres such as cotton, wool, and silk. However, some of my base layers have wicking properties and quick-dry fabrics, so they were made with synthetic fibres.
WHAT TO PACK
One cross-body bag
One rucksack, functional for hikes, walks and days out
Sunglasses – not just for the sunshine but to protect your eyes from sandblasting on the beach.
One pair of waterproof walking shoes or boots
One pair of trainers
One pair of shoes for an evening out or visiting friends (optional). I took some black ballet pumps.
Compact umbrella
Two short or long waterproof coats, preferably with a hood
One pair of waterproof over trousers (optional) even if it’s torrential rain, we love to walk!
One pair of quick-drying walking trousers (optional)
Three jumpers, cardigans, fleece, hoodies, or sweatshirts depend on whether you want to be casual or smart casual.
One gilet or knitted vest for extra layers
Seven sweat catchers in short or long sleeves with different necklines can be changed daily and worn as undergarments and extra light layers.
Two pairs of jeans or other comfortable trousers/leggings
One to three smarter outfits for visiting friends, family or evenings out (optional). This could be a denim dress, denim skirt, etc.
Three pairs of walking socks and other socks or tights
Three tops/blouses/T-shirts
One scarf
One hat
One pair of gloves
One belt (optional)
One swimming costume and a lightweight beach towel (I swam in the sea!) or a dry robe
Warm cosy PJ’s
Slippers
Other underwear and socks
Toiletries: Suncream and hand sanitiser are a must for days out.
PACKING MISTAKES?
PACKING MISTAKES? Hmmm, this is a tricky one. I packed well, and all my clothes were extremely comfortable and warm all day. I could easily regulate my body temperature with layers. However, I think I overpacked: too many jumpers, and I probably could have done with an extra pair of jeans or chinos (in addition to my jeans and walking trousers) instead of a skirt or one of the dresses.
Day one: Kimmeridge, Dorset
Day one: Kimmeridge, Dorset. We had dinner at Clavells, a stone’s throw away from our B&B, with delicious, hearty portions. Be warned, it shuts at 4.30 pm in the autumn and winter, so check opening times. We skipped lunch for a super supper.
We stayed at the fabulous Kimmeridge Farm House for £130, which included a beautiful room and breakfast. Annette, the host, is so lovely and cooked us a hearty breakfast. I highly recommend this B&B.
Day two: Castle Drogo, National Trust, Dartmoor. 
Day two: Castle Drogo, National Trust, Dartmoor. This 20th-century castle overlooks the Teign Gorge, where dramatic architecture meets innovative family homes. I highly recommend visiting this incredible castle designed by Lutyens in the 1910s. We both loved it.
Day three: Long walk from Perranporth beach to Holywell Bay 
Day three: Long walk from Perranporth beach to Holywell Bay along 2.5 miles of sandy beach and a bit of a hike up and down hills on the South West Coast Path. I loved staying in my uni friend’s granny flat and catching up with her and her family in the evenings. We didn’t go out for dinner but cooked in our flat and popped upstairs to have dinner with my friend’s family. Lots of watersports are available on Perranporth Beach, and only swim in designated areas shown by RNLI as there are lots of currents. Perranporth itself is underwhelming. However, it has excellent links to the rest of Cornwall.
Day four: Walk from Holywell Beach to Newquay
Day four: Walk from Holywell Beach to Newquay along the South West Coast Path and then an absolute treat with the ‘Dip and Dinner’ package at the Aqua Spa at the Headland Hotel. For £50, you get two hours in the spa and a two-course meal with a drink of your choice. It was absolutely a treat, and we loved it so much, I highly recommend it. I dressed up for this in a neutral dress with a sweat catcher and knitted vest and tights, so I was toasty.
Dip and Dine at the Headland Hotel, Newquay
Day five: Trelissick House, National Trust
Day five: Trelissick House, National Trust has beautiful gardens and a pretty greenhouse, but the house could be more impressive as there are only a few rooms to visit. However, the coffee shop has stunning maritime views and lovely woodland walks. I took my swimmers but was put off by the amount of seaweed and murky water.
Day six: Electric bikes!
Day six: On electric bikes, a 30-mile round trip from Porthreath (North Cornwall) to Devoran (South Cornwall). Bike hire was £40 each from Elm Farm Cycles and includes helmets and maps. I highly recommend this: the staff were most helpful. The route was uneven and bumpy in places, so there was a bit of a sore bottom the next day – LOL. There are lots of lovely coffee and pub stops on the way.
Day seven: Cotehele, National Trust in West Cornwall. 
Day seven: Cotehele, National Trust in West Cornwall. An atmospheric Tudor house with Medieval roots, a mill on a historic Taymar quay, a glorious garden with valley views and an expansive estate to explore. See the fantastic Medieval house, gardens and quay on the Taymar. And then the long drive home back to London on the A303. I changed in the evening to go out with Tom for dinner.
I hope you’ve enjoyed reading about my packing and our seven-day staycation in beautiful Cornwall. Feel free to give me feedback. So, my top tip for empty nesters is to have a little holiday as soon as possible once the young adults have left. Thank goodness we did, as I’m missing both my children terribly, and it gave Tom and I a chance to reflect and celebrate the last 20 years of parenting – the highs and the lows and to reconnect again as a couple and enjoy time together. Finally, if you haven’t already, please follow me on Instagram.
Best wishes,
