9 things to pack for a family holiday in Wales

We’ve been to quite a few holiday parks in Wales – can you tell from the picture? – and so we are old hands at knowing what to pack. Here are nine essentials:

1. Clean pants

If you ever go anywhere without packing clean pants then there is something wrong with you.

2. Credit cards

For when you run out of pants. In all seriousness, I do tend to think that as long as I have remembered a credit card I can always buy the things I forget. For some reason I always forget a hairbrush, wherever we go. I think it’s because I normally keep them in the kitchen rather than in a sensible place with all of the other toiletries.

3. Phone

I’m not generally a fan of gadgets on holidays but in the evenings you’ll want to be able to check out the Visit Wales website for activity ideas for the next day.

4. A back pack

To keep your phone, credit card and clean pants in. A good back pack is essential if you want to stick to a holiday budget as it makes it much easier to take out drinks and snacks; no one likes having to spend £3 on a bottle of water from a gift shop. I like Berghaus for back packs.

5. A coat

No offence Wales, but it quite often seems to rain when we’re there. I’m not saying it isn’t beautiful – we once had a wonderfully damp trip to Devil’s Bridge Falls – but a waterproof coat would be wise.

6. A book of poetry

If you are anywhere near Swansea, do book in for a tour of the house where Dylan Thomas was born and grew up. Don’t be fooled by the slightly uninspiring website, the people who run it are incredibly passionate and knowledgeable and even Belle enjoyed herself. (This is saying a lot.)

7. National Trust membership card

The National Trust has undergone a massive revamp over the past few years in a bid to appeal to families and young children and we get amazing value for money from our membership. We holiday a lot in the UK and it’s great to know that wherever we are, there’s a good chance that there is a National Trust property nearby. As well as making a fun day out, we like to stop at National Trust places to break up journeys, knowing there will always be a decent cup of tea and somewhere pretty to stretch your legs. Much nicer than a service station surely?

8. A bucket and spade

One of the things I love most about Wales is the diversity of the landscape – spectacular mountains, rugged coastlines and of course, beautiful beaches. I’m not sure everyone always thinks about Wales for beaches, but the Gower is just stunning.

9. A hairbursh.

Seriously. Every damn time. We must have about a million hairbrushes now from all the holidays I’ve been on where I have to buy one in a Spar.

Do you have any favourite places or things to do in Wales?

In association with Visit Wales and Berghaus.