Everything You Need on Your UK Winter Packing List

Winter in the UK brings a rush of holiday cheer, followed by the quietest months for visiting. You’ll find the coldest weather this season, as well as the least sunlight for your sightseeing. Planning out your packing list is especially important for a winter trip to the UK. Get prepared and stay warm with these winter UK packing tips!

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UK Seasons

When is Winter in the UK anyway? This is how it breaks down:

• Winter: December, January, February
• Spring: March, April, May
• Summer: June, July, August
• Autumn: September, October, November

Looking for tips for another season? Check out my Autumn, Spring and Summer packing lists.

What To Expect From Winter in the UK

Christmas season kicks into high gear in the UK right as winter starts in December. Lights are at their peak and holiday events are around every corner. The festive lights usually stay up for the first few weeks of January before slowly making way for the new year’s quietest months.

December is not as busy as the peak summer months, but still brings a lot of crowds to the cities like London, Manchester and Edinburgh. Locals often head into the cities as well to take part in holiday events and celebrate the season.

January and February are ideal for avoiding crowds, though some sights away from the big cities will sometimes shut during this period.

Throughout winter, the sun departs early. Expect sunset by 4pm in southern England and as early as 3pm in Scotland. In December, this makes it easy to take in all the sparkling Christmas light displays, but it can be a little dark and dreary after the holiday decorations come down.

Snow is not common outside the Scottish Highlands region, but it still gets cold enough to justify layering up, even in the south of England. You’ll want to make it easy to add and subtract layers to match your current location. Many museums have coat checks so you can take off your heaviest items and leave them while you enjoy a more climate-controlled visit.

Let’s go over what you need to bring to stay toasty even on chilly winter night walks. 

Top 5 Must-Have Items to Pack for a Winter Trip to the UK

These are the top 5 items that will make the biggest difference during your UK winter trip:

1. A winter coat. A wool coat will do the best job keeping you warm even when a cold wind blows. For a more casual look, a puffer coat with a hood is also a good choice and will provide double service by keeping off the rain. If you have a cute coat you’re dying to bring that might not be warm enough, look at my favorite winter packing hack in the next section below.
2. Warm and water resistant shoes. Lean into boot season for this trip. You don’t need to go full-hiking style (unless you’re going on a hiking holiday), but you want to pick options that are warm and comfortable for walking. Stick to flats or block heels to avoid slipping on wet or icy streets. 
3. Thermal tops. A warming layer goes a long way to staying comfortable on a cold day. I rarely go for thermal leggings here in England, but consider them if you tend to get cold easily or are spending all of your time in Scotland. 
4. Tights. Ok, I just said I don’t bother with thermal leggings, but do bring tights to layer under dresses or skirts. Leggings can also work for this or as a comfortable option for flight days.
5. A warm hat. Bring at least one to keep stashed in your bag even if you don’t think you’ll need it. You’ll probably need it. 

Winter Packing Hacks 

Packing hacks can help you make the most of your winter travel wardrobe. These are a few favorites to help you fit more in and stay organized!

• Have a stylish coat that might not keep you as warm as you want? Pick up a slim padded puffer vest to layer underneath. It will keep your core warm and can serve as an afternoon jacket if you get a less chilly day – Get one from Amazon here or from Uniqlo here
• Wear your heaviest items to the airport, like your coat and boots, if you’re short on room in your suitcase
• Hats and scarves will change up your look easier than packing loads of sweaters – and will take less room in your luggage
• 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

Where To Find Inexpensive and Warm Winter Clothes While Traveling in the UK

There are many opportunities at Christmas markets and boutique shops to find unique and beautiful winter clothes across the UK. However, these are unlikely to be cheap. If you find yourself in need of a quick, inexpensive item, head to Primark. This large shop is comparable to Old Navy in the US, and will likely have whatever you need at a price that won’t cut into your travel budget too much. Primark is a nationwide brand with shops dotted all over.

How To Build A Capsule Wardrobe for Winter Travel in the UK

Travel in the winter means bulkier clothing and more layers. Putting together a capsule wardrobe for your trip will help ensure you don’t wind up with overstuffed luggage and no room for souvenirs.

The further items are from your body, the more you can rewear them. No one will care that you have on the same chunky knit sweater you wore a few days ago. Throw on a different scarf and even your travel companions won’t notice.

Layering is key to a capsule travel wardrobe. You will likely be popping into cozy pubs and heated museums, so you need to be able to adjust your outfits on the fly. If you visit London, heading to some of the Tube lines can feel like a descent into Hades during the winter months. Select clothing that you can pull on and off easily. Choosing  items that compliment each other will make it easy to mix and match outfits throughout your trip.

How to Layer a Winter Look in the UK

Creating a layered look doesn’t have to be complicated. Follow this simple method for each day on your itinerary and keep in mind you can rewear items further from your body the most.

• Step 1: Base layer – think a thermal shirt, fitted t-shirt, or cami top
• Step 2: Add a sweater (jumper) for warmth – chunky knits are great for winter
• Step 3: Consider a quilted vest for a casual outing or a blazer for a tailored look
• Step 4: Loop on a scarf – blanket style scarves give that extra cozy look and feel (and can be used as a blanket on your flight)
• Step 5: Throw on your coat – a wool coat is the warmest, but you’ll see plenty of puffer coats and even teddy bear fabric out and about 
• Step 6: Grab your hat and gloves – these touches will keep you warm on even the coldest UK days
• Step 7: Slide into some sturdy boots that will keep your feet warm and dry

You don’t have to add every layer to every outfit, but this should help you pick out items that can be repurposed for multiple travel outfits. 

Everything To Pack for a Winter Trip in the UK

Thermals

If you run cold, then a long sleeved thermal top will be your best friend to stay toasty. This one comes in several colors and different necklines so it’s easy to pick what works best with your planned outfits.

 

Thermal leggings will keep you warm, and you can choose them over tights if you prefer.

Tights

Warm up your dress and skirt outfits with these snag-resistant tights.

Sweaters (jumpers)

You can make do on a one week trip with as few as two quality sweaters. Your base layers will change out more often, but those are also slimmer to pack. I like this merino wool option from Amazon that would be easy to mix and match with jeans, a skirt, or layer over a dress.

Uniqlo and Gap also have a good selection for sweaters in neutral colors and patterns that are reasonably priced.

Dress or skirt

If you’re heading to the West End for theatre in London, or if you just fancy a fancier look, then don’t be afraid to wear a dress or skirt layered up with tights.

I love the versatility of a wrap dress for travel. This dress from Amazon has a wintry feel and even has pockets!

Channeling more of a Cher from Clueless look? This mini skirt comes in a variety of prints and styles, and would look darling layered over tights.

Jeans

Denim is your travel friend year-round, and winter in the UK is no exception. Don’t be afraid to rewear them on multiple days. Now, I personally tend toward skinny jeans in the winter because I prefer that look with the various boots I live in this season. If you’re dying for a wide leg jean, I get it, but pair them with fitted boots rather than with flimsy flats. Your feet will thank me for avoiding frostbite.

I love Levi’s, and these are a solid standby with a range of sizes.

Quilted vest

This is my secret weapon for making any outfit warmer in the winter. It can layer over a long-sleeve top and may be enough on its own when the weather isn’t too cold. Choose a slim padded option like this one so that it can layer under your winter coat for those days when the cold wind is really biting.

Scarves

A scarf often takes less luggage space than a sweater, and can change up your looks when you’re rewearing items. You might want to also leave space to bring back a beautiful scarf from your travels. The Royal Mile in Edinburgh is lined with shops selling wool scarves, and you can often find some lovely scarves and gloves at Christmas markets.

A blanket scarf is super cozy and can be worn several ways.

Or try an infinity scarf for a slouchy cowl neck look.

Boots

I love boot season – short boots, tall boots, they all look good and work well in the winter. I recommend staying away from heels unless you are really comfortable in them. Many people underestimate how much walking you will do on a UK trip. Shoes take up a lot of valuable luggage space, so your best option is to choose a few pairs that you can wear consistently.

A Chelsea boot is a comfortable and stylish option that is easy to mix and match with your outfits.

Riding boots are also great in the winter, and these even have a faux fur lining to keep you cozy.

If you buy new boots for your trip, make sure you leave time to break them in before you travel!

Hiking boots (for country walks)

You don’t need to go full REI catalog to visit UK cities in the winter. However, if you plan on taking any walks in the countryside, then you need to plan for mud. City shoes are likely to slip, let in water, or just look trashed after a muddy hike.

These are the boots I wear for hiking, and I have subjected them to a lot of muddy, cold walks. They are waterproof and won’t fall apart after a winter walk.

Gloves

Good to have, though I tend to go more for fingerless mittens because I never can find gloves that don’t render my phone useless without taking them off. Gloves are commonly sold at Christmas markets, so this is another item you can easily buy once here if you want to have them as a souvenir.

I love these arm warmers to warm up your palms and layer under your sweater.

Winter hats

It really does make a difference to keep you warm while out and about. I have a stack of winter beanie hats that always come along on winter outings.

This one is so cute and the fleece lining will keep the wind from cutting through it.

Coats and rain gear

Annoying to pack, but absolutely necessary. If you’re keeping it minimal, bring one weather-resistant puffer coat and carry it on the plane to save space. I prefer to also have a wool coat to stay warm and stylish. A collapsible travel umbrella can stow in your bag in case of unexpected showers.

This Cole Haan quilted coat with a hood is an excellent all-in-one choice to brave the elements.

This Calvin Klein wool blend coat is a classic look to dress up your outfit. This one has enough wool content to keep you warm without breaking the bank as well.

Stashing this compact windproof umbrella in your day bag will have you prepared if a storm suddenly kicks up.

Day bag

Speaking of day bags, it’s best to opt for something roomy in winter. Layered clothing works best when you have somewhere to put layers you aren’t currently wearing. I usually go for a crossbody bag, but more often grab a stylish backpack for winter travels. Keep your things safe by choosing something that isn’t easy to slide open and that you can sling around under your arm or to your front in a crowd.

I really like this backpack from PacSafe. It’s super roomy and looks nice while also boasting some smart anti-theft design features.

UK travel luggage

I’ve had my Delsey carry-on luggage for years, and it’s still going strong. If you’re planning to travel with only carry-on luggage, then this is the way to go. It fits a lot in and the front opening section is a great spot for those items you know you’ll need to pull out at security.

If you plan to check a larger bag, I recommend a soft-sided bag like this 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, especially when you need to squish in bulky items like sweaters.

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.

Jewelry case

I love the flat profile of this jewelry organizer that will fit easily into your purse or carry-on luggage. Remember to not put your valuable jewelry in checked luggage.

Toiletries

Keep the liquids in your carry-on in these easy to fill travel sized containers. I love this kit for how easy it makes it to bring many different types of product in one bag. It also includes useful tools for filling and cleaning the containers.

Electronics

Will your US hair dryer work in the UK? I get it – in the winter, you don’t want to head out with wet hair. If you’re devoted to your hair dryer, make sure you check it for dual voltage before travel. You should see something like “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. Voltage converters can step down the voltage to make it work, but I’ve heard some horror stories when they don’t work correctly.

Most electronics like your phone or e-reader are going to be fine as long as you bring an adapter. For those, I recommend this multi-country adapter that is small and will work across Europe as well as the UK.

Enjoy your trip!

Whether you’re visiting the UK to experience Christmas festivities, or planning a quiet and cozy trip to avoid the crowds, I hope you have a wonderful time.