Likely the essential for any day by the sea, a beach towel will serve as your dining table, home away from home and respite from the inevitable post-dip chill. Best not to grab any old thing from your bathroom, then, but rather opt for a piece that will bring as much joy as the sunshine. With its sole focus being exactly this, The Longing offers vibrant, playful towels made from (in the brand’s words) ‘insanely soft’ organic cotton.

When it comes to summer accessories, few reign as supreme as the classic logo cap. Whether you’ve got one in your headwear rotation already or you’re introing a new warm-weather flex, you should definitely be throwing a cool brim into your beach-day bag. Finding something that works across a wide range of summer outfits is key. Go for neutral, versatile colours in the main – this style from Paris-designed, Morocco-inspired Casablanca is a perfect choice, as the brand’s aesthetic is rooted in clothes to be worn on long sunny days.

Say it with us: “I will wear my sunscreen.” A must-have for any day that you’re out in the sunshine, sun cream will allow you to enjoy the weather without the fear of a gnarly burn. This easy-to-pack option from skincare leader Murad is one of those ‘no excuse’ products as it’s lightweight, smells great and has SPF 30 – a serious trifecta of protection. And it’s not just for summer. Read our experts’ take on the best sunscreens to wear all year round.

Where sunglasses are concerned, it can be tempting to favour inexpensive pairs that won’t be missed when they’re lost or broken. But we’re here to tell you that investing in quality shades is worth it – not only do you get yourself a far superior product that will actually protect your eyes, but you’ll likely take far greater care of them and end up keeping the same pair for years to come. A timeless shape like these aviators from Jacques Marie Mage will stay with you season after season.

With so many of us able to take incredible photos with ease thanks to the phones in our pockets, a camera seems surplus to requirements, right? Think again. While we can take quick snapshots of our friends’ laughter in moments, cameras like Insta360’s One X3 can capture the whole scene in incredible detail and scope. This means you’ll be able to relive not just the moments but the feeling of the day – giving you something to reminisce on when the weather inevitably shifts. In Technology on the Fifth Floor, you’ll also find analogue heavy hitters like Leica. Cue snaps that are worthy of the mantel.

Whether you’re in a group or going solo, being able to craft your own summer soundtrack is a must. Our advice? Go big or go home. Don’t be the person filling the air with tinny, compressed music through a phone speaker – get something that you’ll use all year round, and become the vibe creator for your group. Alternatively, reward yourself with the best personal audio experience and opt for a top-of-the-line pair of headphones that you will thank yourself for over and over. Key players include the AirPods Max from Apple, Devialet’s wireless earbuds and anything by Beats or Bang & Olufsen – available in Technology on the Fifth Floor.

Okay, you’ve gathered your summer must-haves, but you’ll now need something to load everything into. Same tote that you use for groceries? Maybe not. Getting something with structure and longevity is the go here. There’s nothing worse than rooting around a flimsy bag filled with the detritus of the day, so a style with more purpose like the now-iconic Loewe Paula’s Ibiza Font tote is spot on. You’ll have a place for everything, and everything will have its place. Bliss.

The beach is not the place for your favourite sneakers. The beach is the place for laid-back, open-toed sandals like this pristine leather pair from Harrys of London. Take a similar approach as you did when selecting a logo cap – find a refined design that works with a number of outfits throughout the summer. We suggest something in the backless slide area for easy removal pre-dashing into the waves.

A good beach book is a balancing act. Captivating enough to draw you in, but easy enough to put down and revisit so you don’t miss out on the joys of the seaside. An autobiography – we recommend A Visible Man by British Vogue editor-in-chief Edward Enninful – is a great choice. In general, if you don’t exceed the 500-page mark, you won’t feel like you’re lugging the literary equivalent of a brick around. Plus, you may get some inspiration on where your beach trip will sit in your own memoir. Find The Harrods Bookshop on the Lower Ground Floor.

Hands up if you know what it’s like to reach for your drink at the beach and find that it’s either gone completely flat in the sun, or that it has risen to a temperature comparable to the water you want to be swimming in. Save yourself the disappointment and get set up with a compact, transportable cooler like the kind offered by Harrods-exclusive Fieldbar. Times have moved on from the suitcase-sized contraptions of yore – rest assured you’ll be able to keep your beverages nice and chilled, while maintaining a good degree of style.

Who says you can’t bring a little indoors outdoors? Even when you’re out enjoying nature, you can have the comfort of home with you. If you’re a shade-craver or looking to ramp up your relaxation, we’d suggest something retro-inspired like the premium beach umbrella or striped Tommy folding chair from Business & Pleasure Co.. Meanwhile, keen chefs will flock to the likes of Weber and Delivita’s charcoal barbecues and portable wood-fired ovens. Park up and be the envy of other beachgoers.

Short of a sunset-montage Top Gun volleyball tournament, there are myriad more accessible outdoor games. Whether you’re taking along a football for a wave-side kickabout or going for something a bit less intensive (but equally as competitive) like the table tennis set from playful brand Sunnylife, a good beach game is a must for any group outing. Just try to keep it civil and don’t lose a ball to the evening tide.