2026 Trending Travel Essentials
2026 Travel Essentials for your next city break
There are many essentials we know we couldn’t live without when taking a city break in the UK. A selection of city-chic outfits, headphones, comfortable footwear for walking to see the sights and a thought-through itinerary of things to see and do during your weekend away.
However, there have been a few other items making the short list for your suitcase this year that otherwise may have been forgotten. Whether it is gym kit to keep up your gym routine or a bag hitting the hotlist at Conde Nast Traveller – we have gathered a few new travel essentials for 2026 to spruce up your suitcase for your next city break.
1. Activewear
Keeping it healthy
We can all get into a good healthy fitness routine when we’re at home, but we also accept that it is often compromised when we go on holiday. But! It doesn’t have to be. With class passes, Parkruns and unique yoga retreats hosted regularly across the UK’s most sought-after cities, you will be able to keep up your exercise, where ever you are.
Tell me more: Take a look at our Things to do in Poole guide to find just a few examples.
2026 Trending Trainers: The Allbirds Trainers come recommended as a versatile city trainer – perfect for a weekend away.
2. The ‘It’ Bag Everyone Needs in their Life
The ‘LL Bean Boat and Tote’ from the 1940s has made a comeback and has been highlighted by Conde Nast Traveller as a ‘must-have’ for 2026 travel, due to its super cool style and practical design.
This cotton tote makes a perfect weekend bag for the light traveller – a trend they’re also saying is going to hit in 2026, encouraging those taking a weekend away to feel liberated by travelling light. We believe this could make the perfect excuse to buy the LL Bean Tote for your next UK short break.
Tell me more: Available to purchase at FreePeople (£37).
3. New-Era Packing Cubes
Recommended for 2026
We all know the packing cube is not new to 2026, but as we become more reliant on them for our new era of orderly packing, the designs are moving on too, with new and improved products entering the market. One of our favourites is Away’s Packing Cubes. Stylish, practical and perfect for weekend away-sized bags. It was also picked as the Guardian’s favourite for small weekend bags.
Tell me more: Away Insider Packing Cube s (£35)
In case you can’t stop at just cubes
You started looking at the packing cubes and found other great items that assist with your new 2026 organisational era? We were the same. Our favourite is the large and super sophisticated toiletry bag, with pockets for absolutely everything.
Tell me more: Away Toiletry Bag (£70)
Perfect for a bit of solo time
4. A Good Book
It all depends on your preferred genre on what book you choose to pack. Perhaps a ‘New Year, New You’ style book, with recipe or lifestyle inspiration. Alternatively you might choose to lose yourself in a fiction novel.
Whatever you decide, the activity of reading a book whilst your away adds another layer of escapism when you’re wanting to just pause for a while.
Bestseller non-fiction: Art Cure: The Science of How the Arts Transform Our Health, Daisy Fancourt.
Bestseller fiction: Last Night in Brooklyn, Xochitl Gonzalez.
5. Camera
Best on the market: Fujifilm X100VI
Putting away the phone and focusing on the form of photography is a great way to familiarise yourself with a city. Whether you’re finding the perfect architectural shot, or noticing some of the best street art as you explore, using a top-spec digital camera captures so much of your experience that you can take home and enjoy after your weekend away.
One of the best-rated cameras for 2026 is the Fujifilm X100VI for its quality image, filters and video capabilities.
Tell me more: Buy online or in camera shops (£1,599)
There you have it. Some of this year’s must-haves when it comes to city breaks in the UK. We will be creating and sharing more 2026 travel trends, weekend inspiration and events guides here and with our subscribers. Click here to sign-up to receive city-break inspiration and to check out our newest urban retreats to book for your next UK break.
If you’re booking the itinerary in the diary now and just finding that perfect place to stay for a weekend or short break, take a look at our fabulous properties in Poole. From waterside apartments to family homes, our high-end Dorset homes are perfect for those looking for a winter staycation.