Summer Travel with Wombat Leather

As the nights are growing shorter and the days are getting longer, all we can think about here at Wombat Leather HQ is being outdoors. In fact, if we’re really honest, all we can think about is escaping the humdrum of the city, for an adventure in the wilderness. After all aren’t the summer months when we explorers are meant to spring into action.

Our weekends and holidays are sacred, they’re little moments where our yearning for adventure is allowed to take charge. They’re those snippets of times where we can forget about our nine-to-fives and the rat race and embark on escapades that’ll turn into the memories that keep us warm in winter!

Exploring the British Coast

Whilst Wombat Leather may take its inspiration from the leather goods of Australia, that doesn’t mean we don’t appreciate the vast beauty of Britain- in fact, it’s where we’re planning our first trip of summer. Who needs to get on a plane or a boat, when we’re lucky to have miles of beautiful coastland on our doorstep.

This time we’re heading off to the Jurassic Coast, that little section of the south of England that holds its own against Devon and Cornwall. It’s the perfect place to indulge in childlike adventures, after all there’s nothing more tantalising than an invigorating swim in the freezing cold sea, squealing for joy as you run up the beach to retrieve your clothes and hop yourself warm. Grabbing your bag and getting changed under the covers of the sand dunes, before wrapping up together underneath a warm wool blanket, as you cook sausages on a driftwood fire. Or perhaps you prefer a ramble along the magnificent rolling clifftops and watching the waves crash onto the rocks beneath you, or chasing a kite along the horizon of the sea. Not knowing where a day at the coast is going to take you, is all part of the fun.

Perhaps the brave amongst you will camp amongst the sand dunes, but we fancy a shepherd’s hut tucked back from the full fury of the sea’s wind, or maybe even a cottage where we can walk to the fish and chip shop!

What Travel Bags We’re Taking

As we’ve said, the best thing about living in the UK, whichever direction you head in, sooner or later you’ll hit the sea, one of the glorious perks of living on an island- you can jump on a train, commandeer a car full of your friends or hop on a bus and head into great outdoors.

Of course, you’ll need to plonk some things into a bag first and wherever you’re heading to Dorset or another seaside spot, Wombat Leather has got you covered. If you’re heading to the sea by train and want to look stylish as you board the train, you can’t go wrong with our leather collection. Chic enough for the underground, yet roomy enough for all of your get-away essentials. If you’re starting your trip with more of a ‘rough and ready’ gusto and jumping into the back of a worn-out Land Rover then you’ll want something that backs up your ‘country credentials’- we’d opt for Wombat’s signature leather weekend holdall.

One thing we won’t be leaving at home is our Hunter’s collection camera bag- with iconic spots of beauty all along the coast, we have a feeling we’ll keep one eye firmly behind a camera lens for the majority of our trip. If photography isn’t your cup of tea, then at least remember to grab a bag to put your essentials in when you head to the sea. We love the Luxury Thick Brown Rucksack, made from our signature soft as butter leather.

What We’re Packing in Our Bag

Having decided that our first trip of the summer season would be British, we thought it only right that we pack our holdall full of our favourite British essentials. Like Wombat Leather, these British brands continue to prove that you can be just as stylish out on the road, as you can be for cocktails in the city (although perhaps without a bowtie or pair of heels).

A Jumper From Old Harry

• Named after the Old Harry Rocks in Dorset, the three chalk formations that protrude out of the sea at Studland Bay on the Isle of Purbeck. Their collection of lambs wool jumpers in sailor Breton and deep sky blue, are the perfect thing to throw on when the blustering sea air gets chilly. They specialise in knitwear and like Wombat Leather, they’re all about labouring over the little details to create good quality products. Besides ‘Old Harry’ himself was an infamous adventurer and plunderer of the high seas, so it seems only fitting.

Fairfax and Favor Shoes

• Also in our bag will be a pair of Fairfax and Favor (https://www.fairfaxandfavor.com/collections/the-henleys) boat shoes. Their winter boots are already notorious in the country set, for being the perfect shoe to stomp around in whilst looking effortlessly chic and their nautical summer styled shoe doesn’t disappoint. We love the brand’s focus on innovative craftsmanship and design and the timeless nature of their shoes.

Shoreproject Watch

• With plenty of activities to fit into our short time away, we’re going to want to keep an eye on the clock. What watch is more perfect than one of these Shoreproject numbers, all named after different British seaside towns and all entirely customisable. The difficulty will come from knowing with one matches our Wombat Leather bag best!

What’s on Our Itinerary

Fossil Hunting- Dorset is synonymous with the Jurassic Coast and times gone by. Lyme Regis is the fossil capital of the UK and the hunt for fossils keeps the young and the old in our group amused. Slip a fossil found tucked under sand into your Wombat Leather backpack and cherish it for months and years to come.

Eat Lyme Bay Crab Sandwiches– We can’t wait to indulge in Exe mussels and succulent crab sandwiches at the infamous Hive Beach Café in Burton Bradstock.

A Clifftop Walk-  Whether you choose to head to Durdle Door or Old Harry Rocks, there’s nothing like walking along Dorset’s cliffs to blow the cobwebs away. If you’re looking for us, we’ll be perched on a bench listening to the whistle of the ocean.

It’s been an amazing week of summer for everyone in the UK, with temperatures blasting up and over 30 degrees on many days. Granted, life in the office hasn’t been so amazing, although it’s hard to deny that everyone wakes up feeling that little bit brighter and despite the close air, you can’t fail to enjoy stepping out into blue skies and sun drenched streets.

Summer Day Trip Accessories

HR departments and line managers have no doubt been inundated with last minute holiday requests as everyone tries to make the most of glorious sunshine, leaving typically busy offices looking empty. It may not be too surprising to find that many of your bosses or sales teams suddenly have a lot of ‘outside appointments’ to attend – what a strange coincidence!

Aside from all our holiday and day trip plans, there are a number of big events coming up over the next month that everyone wants to be part of, so now is the time to start thinking about what accessories you might need. Glastonbury has just begin, hoping to avoid its famous muddy fields this year round and the lush green lawns of Wimbledon will be open to the public in only two weeks’ time.  Heading into July there is the delightful Henley Regatta stretching along the Thames, the Hampton Court Palace Flower Show returns and of course the British Grand Prix at Silverstone.

TRAVEL LIGHT FOR A SPOT OF TENNIS

Wimbledon is time to enjoy the crème of the crop in the world of tennis, taking in the wonderful sights of the stadia and all the traditional luxuries that come with it. Having a British player as the number one player in the world also helps to make it that bit more enjoyable than the days of Henman and co! If you are heading down to SW19 for a day or two, you’ll no doubt want to travel lightly. Unless you are lucky enough to have secured tickets beforehand, the day will entail moving from one outside court to the next, or if you want to brave the queues outside the main courts, prepare for a long wait in line!

Of course you’ll want to taste the delights of strawberries and cream and indulge yourself with the odd Pimms or two but bringing along a packed lunch is never a bad idea, so you can relax for a while up on Henman Hill (or is it Murray Mound?). This Waxed Canvas and Leather Rucksack allows enough room to pack away any lunchtime snacks, while also creating a stylish South West London look many will be envious of. Because it is lightweight and easy to carry around, you won’t get worn down during the long day and the waxed canvas will offer some protection should any of the famous Wimbledon showers suddenly appear.

A PICNIC NEAR THE THAMES

With the Henley Regatta is only a few short days away, it offers a great chance to go and take in the beautiful sights of Henley and the River Thames, spend some time with friends and enjoy the warm weather. There is something particularly serene and calming about being near the water’s edge and if you get there early enough, you can relax and spend the rest of the day in peace. Of course, you’ll want to bring a picnic or some food to get you through the day, and you’ll need a bag that will let you blend in with the countryside and allow for plenty of space too.

The Outback Luxury Soft Oiled Brown Leather Backpack is great for these types of days out, providing extra storage room in its pouches and compartments, along with plenty of space inside. After watching a number of races throughout the day you may want to get up and stretch your legs to explore the lovely green spaces in the surrounding area. This gorgeous backpack allows you to gather your stuff together quickly, so you can head off to explore the country fields.

GET AND UP GO

If taking in the rich sights of Wimbledon, or if the soothing waters of Henley are a bit too sedative for your tastes, then you may have the next British Grand Prix in your sights. This fast and exciting change of pace attracts thousands of people every year, all eager to catch a glimpse of their favourite racing stars while revelling in the high energy that radiates from being part of this event. The races can last for a couple of hours and you’ll need to keep yourself fresh and ready to enjoy the action. On a hot day you’ll need a cool bottle of water, some earplugs (the cars are noisy!), headphones (for the trackside radio) sun cream and maybe something warmer should the weather turn.

Try out our Large Brown Leather Sling Backpack Bag for size. Designed to be taken out on day trips, it can hold everything you need for that day at the races, without ever feeling like a burden on your shoulder. It’s rare to find a bag that can be so compact and lightweight, while offering so much functionality, which is why this continues to be such a popular choice for those summertime trips. The smooth brown leather blends in with almost anything, so you won’t have to worry about the outfit you pick out for the day ahead.

Of course, these are just three very simple examples of what you may choose to do with your summer. There are a whole myriad of exciting days out to choose from and Wombat are always there to help you out of a tight spot, should you need it. Heading out on a camping trip, or out trekking across beautiful sprawling hills and countryside? Our Traveller Range works as a starter pack that makes sure you are fully equipped for the day ahead.

Living in, or travelling to a big city offers more than enough places to seek out and enjoy and we are full of stylish ideas to make your day trip go off without a hitch. Who doesn’t want to have a bit of City Chic after all? At Wombat we understand that you live a busy life and need someone you can rely on to offer the type of classy and robust bags, hats, purses and wallets that will add that killer edge to your wardrobe. So take a look and lose yourself in the luxury of leather.