10 Things Brits Used to Take on Every Family Holiday That Have Almost Disappeared

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Family holidays have changed heaps over the years. It’s fun to look back at the stuff we used to pack that we hardly see anymore. From paper road maps to disposable cameras, each item tells a story of how we used to travel. Let’s take a stroll down memory lane and explore ten things that were once holiday essentials for many British families, but now are nearly forgotten thanks to new tech and changing habits.

1. A paper road atlas wedged beside the passenger seat

There was a time when a bulky road atlas was a must-have in every car during a family trip. Before GPS and smartphones, these paper atlases were our only trusty guide to navigating the highways and byways of the UK and beyond. Sure, they were a bit cumbersome, and folding them back correctly was an art form, but there’s something nostalgic about those big, detailed pages sprawled out over the passenger seat.

2. Traveller’s cheques tucked somewhere safe

Remember traveller’s cheques? These were once the safest way to carry money abroad. You’d get them from the bank, sign each cheque, and keep them hidden until needed. If they were lost or stolen, they could be replaced. But now, with cards and digital payments, fewer people see the need for these cheques. They were a safe bet back in the day, though.

3. A disposable camera for the kids

Giving kids a disposable camera was like giving them a treasure box. They could snap away, capturing sandy beaches, ice creams, and silly faces without any worry. Today, smartphones have replaced these little cameras, but the excitement of waiting to see how the photos turned out was something special.

4. Printed booking confirmations for absolutely everything

Printed booking confirmations were essential. From hotels to car rentals, having a physical copy was reassuring. Now, with all bookings on our phones, the stacks of paper are gone. Yet, there was a comfort in the tangible backup that many of us miss.

5. A phrasebook for holidays abroad

Going abroad meant packing a phrasebook. Flipping through to find the right way to say “Where is the bathroom?” or “Two tickets, please” was part of the adventure. These books helped bridge the language gap, making trips smoother and sometimes more amusing with our attempts at pronunciations.

6. A portable CD or cassette player for the journey

The journey to the destination often included a soundtrack thanks to a portable CD or cassette player. Making mix tapes or CDs for the trip was a ritual. These players made road trips fun, filled with sing-alongs and family time. Now, streaming services on our phones have taken over, but they lack the personal touch of a handcrafted playlist.

7. Books and puzzle magazines for long waits

Long waits at airports or in traffic were made bearable by books and puzzle magazines. Solving crosswords, diving into a novel, or doing sudoku puzzles were great ways to kill time. Today, our phones often serve this purpose, but there’s still something satisfying about the tactile feel of turning pages and filling out puzzles with a pencil.

8. A folder stuffed with brochures collected before the trip

Collecting brochures and stuffing them into a travel folder was part of the holiday prep. These brochures, collected from travel agents or mailed after a request, helped plan the trip and served as guides to attractions. While online reviews have taken over, those brochures often contained maps and coupons that were incredibly handy.

9. Postcards and an address list for everyone back home

Sending postcards was a way to share a bit of your holiday with folks back home. Picking out the perfect card, writing a heartfelt message, and finding a post office was a delightful ritual. This practice has dwindled with the rise of instant digital photos and messages, but the joy of receiving a postcard in the mail was unique.

10. Enough coins for payphones, parking meters and public toilets

Carrying a stash of coins was essential for payphones, parking meters, and public toilets. It was common to see everyone from kids to grandparents rummaging through bags for the right change. While many services now accept card payments, there was a certain readiness in having those coins jingling in your pocket.