Morninglory

I will be going to London and the countryside May 22 until June 3, 2011. Any suggestions about what clothes to pack. Light clothing or heavy sweaters? I get chilled easily and am miserable when cold. Will be driving in the countryside and will be walking some as well.

Viajero2

Windbreaker and a good raincoat is a must. Wool socks that would be comfortable even in upper 70's weather. Take a silk thermal undershirt (JCPenney, etc...). Thermals are so easy to pack, and stay close to the skin, so they retain the body heat and are not bulky at all. Scarves should also double as a warmth layer and accesory. Take one black buttoned sweater, bring it with you in the plane to free up storage space; this piece should be versatile enough to wear/take out when not needed.

alihutch

I can't image you'll need thermals in May/June.....

jamikins

Well for may/june I usually am wearing my spring light jacket and t-shirts/long sleeved shirts during the evening. Sometimes during the day t-shirts are fine. Definitely bring a couple warmer sweaters/a jacket and an umbrella.

I reallly dont think you need thermals and scarves in May/June!

Viajero2

I don't wear thermals in May nor June BUT IF I WAS THE TYPE as the POSTER specified she is, that gets chilled easy then I would TAKE SILK thermals with me for those ocassions.

To the above posters: Please go take a closer view of what SILK THERMALS are and what they look like (nowhere near the look of regular thermals) and THEN judge whether you would take them with you or not.

jamikins

Viajero2 - no need to get upset. We are all giving advice to be helpful.

Thermals maybe, but a scarf? If you mean a light cotton type scarf fine, but my image was of a big fluffy winter scarf - you definitely dont need that.

PS: I live in the UK and dont even wear thermals (SILK or otherwise) in the winter.

PatrickLondon

Lighter <i>layers</i> rather than heavy or thick. Temperatures will most likely be in the 60sF, but could occasionally and temporarily drop below 60 or go up towards 75+.

pavot

I can see Viajero's point. I'm overly sensitive to cold myself, and I can imagine times when having one of those silk undershirts would be very welocme.

I was in Provence last May, just as a mistral began to blow. I would have loved to have had another light layer like that.

Viajero2

jamikins-- not upset, just a bit annoyed at some of you that feel free to contradict an opinion when it is clear that you really did not have a clear understanding of what was stated to begin with.

Same goes for scarves. Every summer there are countless ocassions when I see ladies wearing beautiful summer scarves that look wonderful as accesories AND, if the weather chills, could provide a clothing layer. You are clearly wrong when advising this particular poster that she will not need either. Maybe she could use them,that's the point.

janisj

"<i>you that feel free to contradict an opinion when it is clear that you really did not have a clear understanding of what was stated to begin with. </i>"

That is silly - I'm sure everyone understood what the OP said.

Morningglory: Perspective - I'm from Calif. and don't enjoy really cold weather, but lived in the UK for several years. I wouldn't bother taking a warm scarf. If it turns cool - you can buy really beautiful scarves in London and it would make a great memento of your trip. I also personally would not take a raincoat. I do ALWAYS take a small folding umbrella. Weighs nothing and takes up no space. An umbrella + a light jacket or windbreaker takes up lots less space than a coat.

The main thing is -- no need for any 'heavy' clothing. Plan layers. A shell/tank under a blouse under a light cardigan or jacket would be as warm as a wool sweater and much more flexible to mix/match. I'd take 'real shoes' and not sandals. If you really want to take one pair of comfortable sandals though - go ahead since they don't take much space.

You probably will have all sorts of weather - and mix/match/layers is the way to go.

Sue878

I am always cold too. When we were there in late May I usually wore a long sleeve silk (type) washable t-shirt and wore a long sleeve shirt over it. In London I didn't need my coat, but I was glad I had it in York and surrounding areas. I also took a hat & gloves , but sometimes left them in the car, just be prepared, because it was nice & sunny in London and sometimes cold and rainy up north. I also took thicker socks for the countryside.

alihutch

Whether they are silk or other thermals you don't need them in London in late May into June, but you will probably need a brollie.

I have worn thermals here, but only last month when the daytime max in Glasgow was -8C!! Which never normally happens....

nytraveler

Inlate May or Juhe in London it should not be cold but can be wet. (Unless you're one of those people who needs a coats whnever the temp goes below 70.)

I fyuo plan on heading north - esp to Scotland - you can run into much chiller weather. (We had it high 40s and raining in July one visit.)

jent103

No heavy sweaters (or wooly scarves or winter coats). They take up too much space and unless you're nearly hypothermic, you won't need them. I've traveled to the UK a few times in that time frame, and I take a mix of short-sleeved shirts, long-sleeved tees for layering as needed, a fine gauge cardigan or two, and definitely a rain jacket - mine is just a waterproof windbreaker with a hood, so doesn't take up much space.

(Pashmina-type scarves are helpful for a little color in your outfit, or for warmth indoors or out - I had one on just as an accessory when we saw 39 Steps, and the theatre was so cold that I wrapped it around myself to keep from freezing!)

You could see any sort of weather, really (well, likely not snow). So layers are key. If you're very concerned about being cold, the silk thermals might be a good idea, and some of those cheap thin gloves. When my hands are warm, the rest of me feels warm. I'd be really surprised if you needed either in late May, but they don't take up much room in your suitcase.

jamikins

viajero2 - hahahaha - sorry, I can offer an opinion - which may or may not contradict yours - is your opinion not contradicting mine? Who are you to judge whether I understood the OP's needs. Get real. I am only trying to help just as much as you are.

spaarne

The weather will probably be generally pleasant but you have to be prepared for a cold rain now and then. I wore a leather bomber jacket on my trip in May two years ago. Under that I wore a cotton turtle neck and a t-shirt. Bring a scarf and gloves. My fedora came in very handy in light rains but I also had an umbrella. If you get a chill stop in a pub and have a shot of whiskey. It will warm you up in minutes.

annhig

layers, layers, layers.

i live here and that's how I dress the whole time, as it's virtually impossible to predict what the weather's going to be like from hour to hour, let alone day to day.

Normally, the weather that time of year should be fine and warm, but the "I really don't think you need thermals and scarves in May/June!" remark made me laugh - i have seen people at cricket matches in June wearing sheep-skin jackets!

hope for the best, plan for the worst!

khunwilko

I'd go with annhig on this. Except that I wouldn't bring a lot of stuff - I'd buy what I needed there - clothes are cheap enough now in UK.

THe weather is FAR too unpredictable to make any hard and fast rules - you need to be flexible. I've worn thick quilted ski gear in August and t-shirt and shorts in March/April.


boy! did I look odd!

historytraveler

Umbrellas are fine if you're only visiting towns/cities, but a light,waterproof jacket with hood is a better bet for mucking around castles, ruins, gardens etc. I find umbrellas too cumbersome for such activities. Just be sure to have a small pocket-sized brelly. Less is more.

nona1

Right now, your guess is as good as ours. Have a look at our weather a few days before you come over. Might be lovely, might not be.