Spring brings a beautiful transition to the UK. Daffodils and bluebells pop up everywhere and sunsets start pushing later in the day. The weather is milder and more pleasant than winter, but random cold snaps are still possible and rain is common. One April day I saw it snow for 10 minutes, followed by completely blue clear skies 15 minutes later.
All this unpredictability means packing for spring travel in the UK can be a challenge. Should you pack for every eventuality, or can a few smart items keep you covered? It is absolutely possible to travel light while still packing smart. This guide has all of the most important UK packing tips for spring, so your next trip can focus on having a great time instead of lugging heavy bags!
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Know before you go
💷 Currency: Great British Pound (£) is used throughout the UK.
🕰️ Time zone: The entire UK is in one time zone, Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). From late March to late October, the whole country moves an hour forward to British Summer Time (BST).
🔌 Plugging in electronics: Electric sockets in the UK are unlike those in Europe or the US. If you are visiting from outside the UK, you will likely need this universal travel adaptor.
📱 Using your smartphone: If you want to use your phone data while visiting, the easiest and cheapest solution is to purchase an e-sim for your trip.
🚘 Car rentals: Americans can rent a car in the UK with a valid US driver’s license from any state. I recommend Discover Cars to find the best rental car prices. Driving in the UK is not for the faint of heart, and I recommend checking out my guide to driving in the UK before you set out!
🚊 Train booking: All major UK cities, and many other destinations in between, can be reached by train. Check train routes, ticket prices, and get your tickets directly through Trainline.
UK Seasons
When is Spring in the UK anyway? This is how it breaks down:
Spring: March, April, May
Summer: June, July, August
Autumn: September, October, November
Winter: December, January, February
Looking for tips for another season? Check out the Summer, Fall, and Winter packing lists.
What To Expect From Spring in the UK
Nature is front and center this season. I feel much closer to seasonal living since moving to the UK because you can really see things change from month to month. Some brave flowers appear in February, but by March every roadside path is alive with daffodils, bluebells, and crocuses. You can see even more elaborate blooms by visiting a local garden through spring, or book tickets to the Chelsea Flower Show in London in late May.
Spring is also when many UK attractions that shut for winter start to reopen. One of the best UK castles reachable by train from London starts its season in late March each year. There is more to experience across the UK in spring compared to winter, with mostly lower crowds than you’d find in the summer.
Easter brings bank holidays and celebration. Most people are off work at this time, which can bring higher prices and more crowds over the four-day Easter weekend. If you like chocolate, you shouldn’t miss picking up some delicious Easter candy. Unlike in the US, the Easter bunny hides chocolate eggs here – no hardboiled eggs to be found.
Wherever you travel during spring in the UK, layered clothes will be your friend. This is also a good time to bring your raincoat and stash an umbrella in your bag.
Top 5 Must-Have Items to Pack for a Spring Trip to the UK
Let’s go over the must-bring items for your UK spring wardrobe.
1. A lightweight waterproof coat. A trench coat is a classic choice. At a minimum, you need a good quality coat with a hood to combat unexpected rain showers. You also may want this for city moments when there are too many people around to wield your umbrella.
2. Cute trainers. You can’t go wrong with a pair of white sneakers in the spring. Casual and comfortable, but still with a cool-girl factor.
3. Ankle boots. Keep your feet dry and warm on those rainy days, and still keep the option to dress them up for evenings out. Chelsea boots are popular for a reason, but any water-resistant style that’s comfortable to walk in will work.
4. Lightweight sweaters. Spring isn’t a cold season, but it definitely isn’t warm either. Layering a lightweight sweater over a tee or camisole will keep you cozy without overheating.
5. Travel umbrella. A decent travel umbrella should be small enough to fit in your day bag, but strong enough to stand up to wind gusts without turning you into Mary Poppins.
Spring Packing Hacks
Packing hacks can help you make the most of your spring travel wardrobe. These are a few favorites to help you fit more in and stay organized!
- Leave your heels at home. Lots of walking and rain-slick streets can spell disaster – save the suitcase room for souvenirs!
- A slim padded puffer vest packs small, but delivers a punch of warmth if you hit an unexpected cold day. You can layer it under your raincoat if you get a surprise dose of late winter weather.
- Wear your heaviest items to the airport, like your raincoat and boots, if you’re short on room in your suitcase.
- Scarves are a fantastic way to add variety to your spring travel wardrobe, also without taking up too much space.
- Check for laundry services at your lodging so you can pack less clothing.
- Consider compression packing cubes if you’re tight on space.
- Soft-side luggage is lighter, meaning more usable packing space in checked bags.
- Stash a designated laundry bag to separate dirty and clean clothes while you’re traveling.
Everything To Pack for a Spring Trip in the UK
Let’s get into it. These are all of the things you need to bring along for a smooth spring trip.
Trousers
A well-fitting pair of black trousers are an excellent choice for spring travel in the UK. Wide leg styles are a great way to blend fashion and comfort. I often wear the same pair sightseeing during the day, then swap out trainers for ankle boots and put on a nicer top for evenings out. Flexibility is your friend when you want to avoid dragging heavy luggage!
Jeans
Denim is a common sight year-round in the UK. In the spring, you can really opt for any style if you keep your shoe options to trainers or ankle boots. If you want to pair jeans with your tall boots, then opt for skinny jeans.
It’s best to bring the jeans you are most comfortable in – I love and recommend Levi’s.
Layering tops
Since the weather can vary so much in the UK spring, plan to bring a few camisoles and basic tees. This will keep your options open to easily add or remove a sweater during the day. It will also make it easier to mix and match outfits when you stick to color options that work well together.
Lightweight sweaters (jumpers)
Sweaters and cardigans add a boost of versatility to your UK travel wardrobe. Layer on a long cardigan like this with jeans for a casual day look. A cropped cardigan pairs great with dresses for day or night.
For sweaters, you can never go wrong with a striped sweater. In the evening, pair a v-neck sweater with trousers to dress up while staying comfy.
Dresses
Throwing on a dress is a very spring-friendly way to keep your wardrobe simple or ready for a night out at the theatre. Spring especially leans itself toward floral prints – just bring along a neutral cardigan for cooler evenings.
Lightweight jacket
There are likely to be moments when a sweater alone isn’t warm enough. Bringing a classy trench coat is your best bet for an all-in-one solution. A denim jacket is a cute layer over dresses or paired with trousers on sunny days. For another casual look that still packs away tiny, I love this anorak from French Connection.
Scarves
Give yourself options on your travels with layers that are easy to add or remove during the day. A travel scarf takes next to zero space in your luggage, but is hugely versatile and can add a pop of color to your wardrobe.
Trainers
A cute pair of white fashion sneakers fit right in with Londoners, and in cities across the UK. They are the perfect way to save your feet and look good while sightseeing. If white sneakers aren’t your style, some classic Converse are also always on trend.
Ankle Boots
You can’t go wrong with a classic Chelsea boot. These are water-resistant and easy to wear day or night. For a UK trip focused on city exploring, I’d probably bring one pair of ankle boots plus one or two pairs of trainers. If you must have a heel, stick to a block style that won’t slide on wet pavement.
Countryside Boots
Wellies are not something you see commonly in UK cities. However, if you are planning time in the countryside or just fall for the aesthetic, I love these from Joules. Multiple patterns available.
If you’re planning a hiking tour in the UK, these are the same boots I wear for all of my UK walking. Fully waterproof in case spring showers lead to muddy paths on your route.
Travel umbrella
A travel umbrella will fit easily in your bag when you don’t need it, but stand up to wind gusts and rain when you do.
UK Travel Luggage
I bring a Delsey Carry-On along for all of my travels any time of year. It meets airline requirements for carry-on luggage, includes a TSA lock, and is expandable to fit your souvenirs on the return trip. The internal dividers are also really smart and the front opening section makes it easy to remove items for airport security.
The hard case can handle a lot. I’ve had mine for years and it’s still going strong. Spinner wheels make it easy to bring along on London streets or across airports.
If you plan to check a larger bag, I recommend a soft-sided bag like the SwissGear Sion Roller Luggage. Most airlines have weight limits for checked bags and hard-sided bags start off heavier. Choosing a soft-sided bag like this will ensure you can actually use the space without paying surprise overweight luggage fees or doing the last minute shuffle between bags at check-in.
Packing Cubes
Compression packing cubes are great for finding extra space in your luggage. Packing cubes are also really helpful for separating your clothing items so they’re easier to find. When my daughter was younger I relied on packing cubes to separate her clothing from mine in the same suitcase. When she needed her pajamas, I didn’t have to dig through my stuff to find them.
Day Bag
With weather that can be all over the place in a single day, I like to have plenty of room in my bag to stash extra layers and my travel umbrella. I tend to carry a larger bag this time of year, and love this backpack style from PacSafe. While you don’t have to carry an anti-theft bag if you keep some basic street smarts with you, I do love how easy this bag makes it to keep your possessions safe while still looking cute.
Jewelry Case
Leave your prized and nostalgic jewelry at home so you don’t have to deal with heartbreak if something is accidentally lost. You don’t have to go completely sparkle-free though, and the flat profile of this jewelry organizer lets you pack your favorites and still fit easily into your purse or carry-on luggage.
Toiletries
Any liquids in your carry-on need to be travel sized. This kit makes it easy to bring many different types of product in one bag and includes useful tools for filling and cleaning the containers.
Electronics – adapters and organizer cases
The UK runs on different voltage and uses a different outlet style from the US or Europe. Check your hair dryer or similar appliance for signs it is dual voltage. The tag should say something link “INPUT AC 120V – 240V” on the label. If it only says 120V or 125V, then it is not going to be compatible with the higher voltage used in the UK and you could wind up frying it.
Your e-reader and phone are fine with the UK voltage, but will need an adapter for the plug. This multi-country adapter has you covered for UK and EU trips (and more).
Ready to get packing?
I hope this list helps you sort through what to bring along on your spring visit to the UK! It may be a transitional season in the weather, but you’re in for a beautiful landscape during this time of year.
