Sunscreen and mosquito repellant is packed. Anything else that I didn't think about that is a necessary travel item?

You won't need either of these things in the UK. They don't have bugs, well very, very few and the sun is not generally hot enough to burn. I have very fair skin but didn't wear sunscreen in the UK in summer, it just doesn't get that hot.

You WILL need an umbrella, a tube map and good walking shoes.

Kay

"<i>Sunscreen</i>" A Real Optimist

"<i>and mosquito repellant is packed.</i>"

Save the luggage space and take something useful

My Scottish friends have just sent me an order for heavy duty insect repellent!

The bugs apparently like anything they can get there.

That is for the midges -- not a problem in London . . .

This reminds me of the things we noticed in supermarkets at home and overseas. In Australia there is a whole aisle of insect sprays. In Britain we couldn't find any but they have aisles of ready meals. In France they have full aisles of cheese. We love browsing supermarkets on our travels.

Kay

shoes, layers, sunhat, foldup umbrella. That's England
Mossie guards, boots, sun hat, waterproof gear. That's Scottish highlands

>>Anything else that I didn't think about that is a necessary travel item? <<

How psychic does one have to be to know what you've <i>not</i> thinking about?

Tickets, passport, credit card(s). Camera if you're that way inclined. What more do you need?

PS. We also have these quaint institutions called "shops" if there is anything you've forgotten.

I SOOOO disagree about the sun not being hot enough to burn in the UK - I live in the North of England and even here the sun can certainly burn!! I've been out walking in the Dales today and wouldn't consider doing so without protection.
However, you can buy sun lotion here at any chemist or supermarket, and my local Sainsburys sells insect repellent too.

if you find yourself in need of emergency supplies of anything from anadin to sushi, Boots should be your first port of call.

You can get a sunburn on a cloudy day. Take the sunscreen just in case.

Lee Ann

Yep, people are being facetious about the sunscreen. It's important (I can burn in 10 minutes flat here) but you can buy it here. Mozzie repellant? Depends where you are going. If cities/towns/seaside, you won't need it. If the countryside, you might. If the Highlands, you must have it.

Converters for any electrical stuff you are bringing?

In places where most people are being eaten alive by mosquitoes, I always remain largely unbitten. I know I should be grateful, yet I always feel slightly offended.

The London Underground (Tube) has (allegedly) a unique species of mosquito that has evovled separately from its overground cousin. A daily underground traveller, I have never come across this little fellow. Despite this learned Wikipedia entry, I remain to be convinced that this is not an urban myth.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/London_...round_mosquito

In many parts of Scotland it is good to have something to repel the midges that take to the air in the early evening. I've sometimes stayed at Samye Ling Tibetan Buddhist monastery in the Borders neat Lockerbie. It's considered bad form there to squish an insect that you catch in the act.

I will also add that, during some wonderful weather recently here in London, I spent many hours walking and definitely suffered some sunburn.

Yes, it's definitely very easy to burn IF the sun comes out. It hasn't made much of an appearance this summer though (April/May seems to be the new summer).

Uk2011 - if you are from the US leave your sun cream at home and buy it here (if needed) from Boots or one of the supermarkets, as the brands here are so much nicer IMO.

The sun has been shining up here in North Yorkshire - and also you can easily burn on a cloudy day in high summer! Don't wait for the sun to come out to protect yourself. Unfortunately English children and teenagers have the fastest growing rate of skin cancer in the whole of Europe, which is frightening.
Simon, I too remain unbitten but put that down to my high yeast intake (marmite and beer!).