The bizarre items that Britons take on holiday, including kettles, oven trays and TOASTERS

The peculiar items that Britons pack in their holiday suitcases have been revealed – with kettles, oven trays and even toasters getting zipped into luggage.

A study has found that one in 20 UK travellers holidaying in self-catering accommodation has admitted to packing these items – even though their booked rental was already fully equipped. 

What’s more, a third of travellers have taken their own towels and bed linen on holiday, and one in five pack their own cutlery, glasses, plates and bowls.

Toasters are one of the bizarre items that Britons have admitted to taking on holidays 

The study, commissioned by the online retailer Next, quizzed 2,000 Britons on their packing habits, as millions of UK travellers jet off on holiday this summer – some for the first time in over three years.

The study also found that Britons ‘can’t leave for holiday’ without their ‘home comforts’, with 47 per cent of respondents saying they’ve packed food and drink – teabags, crisps and tinned goods such as baked beans – that can’t be purchased at their destination.

A further 15 per cent of people – or the equivalent of six million travellers – also said they can’t leave home without cleaning equipment such as household gloves or bathroom spray.

Home essentials aside, the most overpacked item has proven to be underwear, with 32 per cent of respondents saying they always overpack their undergarments. This is followed by shoes (second, 28 per cent) and toiletries (third, 18 per cent). Socks (17 per cent) are the fourth most overpacked items while travelling clothes (14 per cent) land in fifth place.

A study, which analysed Britons’ packing habits, found that one in 20 travellers holidaying in self-catering accommodation has admitted to packing a kettle 

In general, the study found that 90 per cent of Britons have confessed to overpacking when going on holiday. 

Almost half of women said they pack too much, compared to a quarter of men. Nearly a quarter of female respondents said that they always struggle to close their suitcases when packing, while one in 10 men admitted to having the same problem. Over a third of men said it was never an issue for them.

On top of that, the study found that the 25 to 34 age group are the worst for overpacking, with 53 per cent admitting to taking too much away with them on holidays. 

 It also revealed that Britons only use around three-quarters of the items they take away with them.

One in five travellers pack their own cutlery, glasses, plates and bowls, according to a study

Forty-seven per cent of respondents said that they’ve packed food and drink items – such as teabags – that can’t be purchased at their destination

According to the study, 13 per cent of UK travellers pack at least 20 outfits for a seven-night trip, with 16 per cent of people packing at least 11 pairs of underwear for a holiday of the same length.

The study discovered that a quarter of Britons feel anxious if they don’t pack lots of items when going away – with 18 per cent saying that they often forget ‘crucial’ items if not.

Just one in 10 people said that they consider themselves to be a ‘minimalist’ packer.

Cardiff was revealed as the UK city that overpacks the most, with 53 per cent of travellers saying that they ‘always take too many items with them on a break’. Sheffield follows with 51 per cent of people confessing to overpacking, followed by Bristol (50 per cent).

Just one in 10 Britons said that they consider themselves to be a ‘minimalist’ packer

Conversely, Manchester (35 per cent) and Plymouth (26 per cent) were found to be the cities that overpack the least.

The study also discovered that on average, Britons start packing four to five days before their holiday. However, 11 per cent of travellers admitted to doing their packing on the day of their trip.

Overpacking comes at a price, the study reveals, with each Briton paying, on average, £11.80 in excess baggage fees this year. One in 20 Britons will end up splashing £75 to pay for excess baggage.

It also found that each Briton will be forced to bin £6.45 worth of toiletries at airport security because they can’t fit them in their onboard allowance.

Overpacking comes at a price, the study reveals, with each Briton paying, on average, £11.80 in excess baggage fees this year 

Overall, the data found that UK holidaymakers will have to ditch £269million worth of toiletries at security and pay £493million in excess baggage fees this year.

Commenting on the study’s findings, a representative from Next says: ‘These findings clearly take packing the kitchen sink to a new level! Most people will be familiar with that age-old conundrum: are 12 pairs of socks overkill for a 4-night stay? How many bags are too many? Will I really need this extra hat? Before deciding to pack them all anyway, just to be safe.

‘This is all well and good – but overpacking can be a costly business. From excess baggage fees to the cost of replacing oversized toiletries ditched at the airport security gates, things can start to really add up.’ 

For more information visit www.next.co.uk.