A pilgrim who travels light is a happy pilgrim! As you begin thinking about packing for your journey to England, think carefully about what you will need. This page provides tips for packing for the trip, and sample packing lists can be found by clicking here.

Carry-on or checked bag? Bringing only a carry-on bag (a rollaboard or large backpack) takes up less space in your relatively small bedroom at Sarum College and makes navigating public transport and the coach easier, especially if you have any personal travel before or after the pilgrimage. Regardless of whether you will bring a carry-on or checked bag, be sure to check with your airline to confirm any size or weight restrictions.

If bringing a checked bag, it is highly recommended that you bring one to two nights of clothes as well as any essentials, such as prescription medication, chargers, and travel documents, such as your passport, in a carry-on bag in the event that your checked bag is lost in transit.

In addition to your suitcase (whether carry-on or checked), please bring a backpack or similar personal item large enough to hold two nights of clothes when we travel to Epworth and Oxford. During our two nights off-site, you can leave your larger suitcase and any belongings you don’t need in your locked room at Sarum College.

Weather in Britain

Typical July weather in Britain can range from lows in the 50s (Fahrenheit) to highs in the low- to mid-90s. Rain is always possible, particularly during the summer months.

Keep in mind that most pilgrimage sites, as well as our overnight accommodations, do not have air conditioning. See below for details about appropriate dress for pilgrimage sites, but we encourage you to bring cool, comfortable clothing as well as a water bottle.

Appropriate Dress for Pilgrimage Sites

For the most part, casual but modest dress is appropriate for our pilgrimage sites, balancing the need to stay cool in the hot weather with appropriate respect for the religious and historical significance of the sites we are visiting. Specifics are in the sample packing lists, but in general, casual, comfortable walking clothes are appropriate. This includes sneakers, khaki or similar shorts (or capris and casual skirts), and plain t-shirts, polos, or casual blouses.

We do encourage you to bring one or two nicer outfits such as slacks and a polo or button-down shirt, a dress, or similar attire for Sunday worship with a local congregation.

Laundry

A local laundromat in Salisbury is a ten to fifteen-minute walk from Sarum College, and you will have several free afternoons to do laundry if you wish. Many pilgrims choose to bring a portable clothesline and laundry detergent to wash clothes.

Additionally, Sarum College may offer laundry, but it is not guaranteed during the pilgrimage.

Liquids

Keep in mind that both the US and UK restrict liquids in carry-on bags to 3.4oz/100ml or less (more details are available from the Transportation Security Administration and the UK Government). In most cases, travel-sized toiletries are adequate for the length of the pilgrimage.

If you need larger quantities of liquid toiletries, you can buy them in Salisbury. In most cases, this is more cost-effective than checking a bag solely to transport larger toiletries.