Pam,

You’re going to be living there for 9 months to a year.

Living in Melbourne, Australia, which is a temperate city, I assume that you already have clothes for cold weather. It will get cold in the United Kingdom. Now, Melbourne’s climate is much, much closer to that of Southern Europe than Northern Europe…but still: you’re coming from a temperate city. It’s not like you’re coming from Sri Lanka. I would assume that you already have clothes for colder weather: jackets, sweaters, etc.

Now, UK winters do not get nearly as cold as other countries with similar latitudes: like Russia or Canada or even the northern parts of the US. The UK is moderated by the Gulf Stream…an oceanic current that originates in the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean waters, crosses the Atlantic, and warms up most of Europe. But still…bring warm clothes. Look up Manchester temperatures online, just to get an idea. Scotland will get cold, and unlike the rest of the UK, I believe winter snow there is quite regular, in case you plan to visit there in the winter.

The UK also has mild summers, and it can even be cool on quite a few summer days (although southern, and especially southwest England, are known for their very pleasant and sunny summers). So, on some days during the warmer months, you may find yourself wearing layers of clothing…stripping down and putting them back on again, so prepare for that.

And it will rain. Often.

Now, whatever you bring to the UK will be perfectly appropriate for the rest of Europe. You mentioned you plan to visit France, Spain, and Italy. Southern Europe is much, much more similar to southern Australia. Winters will be cool and rainy; summers will be hot and dry (rare rain, low humidity). Technically, the climates of Italy, Spain, and Southern France will be most similar to Perth and Adelaide (Mediterranean), but Melbourne isn’t too far off. Northern France (which includes Paris) is more moderate…half way between the Mediterranean and the rainy British Isles…but it will still be much, much more pleasant and will have more sunny days than the UK for sure. Summers in Paris can get hot, but spring and fall can be somewhat unpredictable (there can be warm, even hot sunny days, and there can cool rainy days). Winters in Paris will be cool with cold nights. In Italy, most of the Po Valley region (including Milan) will have a climate closer to Northern France. The rest of the country (the entire coast including Liguria, the entire peninsula [Tuscany and southwards], and the islands) will have a very Mediterranean climate.

So, in a nutshell: for summertime in Southern Europe, prepare to dress as you would during the summer in Melbourne. Bring your bikini.

But basically…prepare for all seasons…hot, cold, rainy, etc.

As for toiletries…everything is available in Europe. Only bring a year’s supply if there’s something you use that’s specific and rare. I would say do bring about a couple weeks’ worth of the common basics (toothpaste, soap, etc), so that you’re not running around and looking for everything on your first night in Manchester.

if you want pam, i can pass your email onto my sister in law who can help you with that. she and my brother have been in england since august. we are all from melbourne as well.

she was very happy also when i sent her some thermals as well, as she said it has been quite freezing over there, although it was 19degreees yesterday!

That would be lovely elly. I’m new to this site, can you pm me or something and Ill give you my email? Thank you so much