What to bring to the UK
Updated: April 2026
Suitcase 23 kg. Must have: UK adapter (Type G), eSIM, ยฃ100โ150 cash, waterproof jacket. Everything else you can buy in Primark for cheap. For farm work โ boots, gloves, thermal underwear.
Must bring โ you cannot do without these
UK sockets have three pins. Your plugs will not fit. Buy BEFORE the flight โ at the airport they cost 3 times more. On AliExpress/Uzum from $1.
VOXI or Giffgaff eSIM โ activate with a QR code at home. Land in the UK with working internet. You need it for maps, WhatsApp, bank.
For the bus from the airport, food, small expenses for the first 2โ3 days. After that everything by card. Exchange at home for the best rate.
Passport, visa/eVisa, contract/CoS, accommodation address, contact of the person meeting you. Scans of ALL documents in the cloud (Google Drive).
Clothes and shoes โ UK weather is tricky
Main thing about UK weather: +10ยฐC with wind and rain feels like -5ยฐC in Tashkent or Almaty. Dry cold is easier than British dampness. Dress in layers, not one thick down jacket.
Must bring
| Item | Why | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Waterproof jacket | Rain 150โ200 days a year | Windproof + waterproof. Not an umbrella โ wind will break it |
| Waterproof shoes | Wet feet = cold | Boots with GoreโTex or rubber. NOT trainers |
| Thermal underwear (2โ3 sets) | Base layer โ keeps warmth | Useful even in summer. For farm work โ must have |
| Fleece jacket | Middle layer | Light, warm, dries fast |
| Warm socks (5+ pairs) | Damp + cold floors | Wool or thermal. In a caravan on the farm โ a lifesaver |
| Hat + gloves | Wind is cold even in spring | Thin ones for autumn/spring |
What NOT to bring from clothes
- Heavy down jacket โ winters are mild (+2โ8ยฐC), layers are better. A down jacket takes half the suitcase
- Lots of clothes โ Primark in the UK is cheaper than the market in Tashkent. Tโshirt ยฃ3, jeans ยฃ10
- Expensive shoes โ buy them here. In the rain they will get wet anyway
Medicine kit and health
In the UK medicines are by doctor's prescription. Without a prescription (overโtheโcounter) only basic things are sold. Bring your usual ones.
Must bring
| What | Why | In the UK |
|---|---|---|
| Painkiller | Headache, toothache, muscle pain | Paracetamol/Ibuprofen exist, but your usual ones are better |
| Antibiotics (course) | For emergencies | Only with a GP prescription. Appointment with a GP takes 1โ2 weeks |
| Cold medicine | First week โ adapting to dampness | Lemsip exists but is expensive |
| Nasal drops | For stuffy nose | Available in Boots, but your usual ones are better |
| Plasters + antiseptic | Blisters, cuts (on the farm โ often) | Available, but bring a supply |
| Allergy medicine | Pollen in the UK is a strong allergen | Cetirizine/Loratadine available |
| Glasses/contact lenses (spare) | Optics in the UK are expensive | Eye test is free, but glasses from ยฃ70+ |
| Personal prescription medicines | If you take them regularly | You need a UK doctor's prescription. Transfer takes weeks |
Where to buy medicines in the UK: Boots and Superdrug (pharmacies on every corner). Basic without prescription: Paracetamol (ยฃ0.35), Ibuprofen (ยฃ0.50), Lemsip (ยฃ3โ5). For everything else โ appointment with a GP.
Electronics and gadgets
| What | Why | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Powerbank 20,000+ mAh | Your phone is your GPS, bank, translator | On the farm there are few sockets. In the city it is also useful |
| USB cable (2โ3 pieces) | Charging phone, powerbank | You will lose one, one will break |
| Type G adapters (2โ3 pieces) | Without them you cannot charge anything | UK sockets โ yours. Buy BEFORE the flight |
| Headphones | Music, calls, translator | In the dormitory/caravan โ a lifesaver |
| Torch (or app) | On the farm it gets dark early | Headlamp โ more convenient |
Phone: Make sure it is unlocked (not tied to a network). More about SIM โ
Documents โ print EVERYTHING
Original + 2 copies. Scan in Google Drive / Telegram ยซSaved Messagesยป.
Print the confirmation email. For eVisa โ screenshot from your UKVI account.
Certificate of Sponsorship + letter from the operator. Print them.
Where you go from the airport. Name and phone of the person meeting you. On paper โ in case your phone dies.
Not mandatory (NHS covers you), but useful for the first days before you register with a GP.
Rule: each document in 3 places โ original paper, scan on phone, scan in the cloud. If you lose your suitcase โ everything is in Google Drive.
Money for the first days
| What | Amount | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Cash GBP | ยฃ100โ150 | Bus, food, small things until you open a bank account |
| Wise (set up before the flight) | ยฃ0 | Top up in the UK โ for transfers home. Guide โ |
| Revolut (download before the flight) | ยฃ0 | Start registration at home โ virtual card immediately. Guide โ |
Tip: Exchange currency at home for the best rate. At Heathrow airport the rate is terrible (markup 5โ10%). ยฃ100โ150 cash is enough for 3โ5 days. After that everything through Revolut (Apple Pay from day one).
For seasonal farm work โ extra
Caravans on the farm: This is not a hotel. Cramped, damp, often cold even in summer. Heating is weak. Prepare as for a ยซwinter camping trip with comfortยป.
| Item | Why | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Wellington boots | Field after rain = mud up to your ankle | You can buy in the UK (Primark ยฃ8, Argos ยฃ10) โ cheaper than bringing them |
| Work gloves (5+ pairs) | Picking berries, thorns, cold | Bring from home โ cheaper. They tear quickly |
| Thermal underwear (3 sets) | Morning in the field at 5:00 = cold | Even in JuneโJuly |
| Waterproof trousers | Work in the rain is not cancelled | Cheap in Primark ยฃ6 |
| Sleeping bag or warm blanket | The caravan can be cold at night | If the farm does not provide bedding โ bring your own |
| Pillow (small) | Farm pillows are flat and dirty | Compressible travel pillow |
| Slippers | In the caravan/dormitory | Floor is cold |
| Food for 3 days | Until you reach a shop | Noodles, canned food, tea, sugar. Lidl/Aldi โ the nearest |
| Cup, spoon, fork | May not be in the caravan | Or buy in Poundland for ยฃ1 |
๐ Did not have time to bring? Order with delivery to the farm
Amazon delivers to any address in the UK in 1โ2 days (Prime) or 3โ5 days (standard). You can order directly to the farm address.
* Links go to Amazon UK. Prime delivery: 1โ2 days. Standard: 3โ5 days. You can order to the farm or dormitory address.
More about seasonal work โ salary, expenses, rights: Full guide โ
What NOT to bring โ buy in the UK cheaper
| Item | Why not bring | Where to buy in the UK | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lots of clothes | Primark is cheaper than the market in CIS | Primark | Tโshirt ยฃ3, jeans ยฃ10 |
| Shoes (except work shoes) | Heavy, take up space | Primark, Deichmann, TK Maxx | From ยฃ8 |
| Towels, bedding | Heavy, take up space | Primark, Tesco | Towel ยฃ3 |
| Kitchen utensils | Furnished accommodation = everything is there | Poundland, Wilko | From ยฃ1 |
| Shampoo, shower gel | Heavy liquids | Any supermarket | From ยฃ0.50 |
| Food (a lot) | Excess suitcase weight costs more | Lidl, Aldi | Cheaper than you think |
| Heavy electronics | Weight + adapters | CEX (used with warranty) | iPhone from ยฃ200 |
Where to buy cheap in the UK โ first purchases
| What | Shop | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Clothes, shoes, towels | Primark | Cheapest in the UK |
| Food | Lidl, Aldi | 20โ30% cheaper than Tesco |
| Household items, dishes, small things | Poundland, B&M | Everything from ยฃ1 |
| Wellington boots | Primark, Argos | ยฃ8โ12 |
| Bedding | Primark, Tesco | Set from ยฃ8 |
| Used furniture, electronics | Facebook Marketplace | Often free |
| Used phone | CEX (webuy.com) | iPhone 13 from ยฃ250, 2โyear warranty |
Phone for the UK โ British brand
Nothing โ a British company from London. All models: eSIM, 5G, NFC (Contactless via Google Pay).
Frequently asked questions
What adapters do I need in the UK?
Type G โ threeโpin British. Your plugs (European or CIS) will NOT fit. Buy 2โ3 before the flight. AliExpress/Uzum โ from $1. At the UK airport โ from ยฃ5.
How much cash should I bring?
ยฃ100โ150 is enough for 3โ5 days. Bus from the airport, food, small expenses. After that everything by card (Revolut, Apple Pay). Exchange at home โ at the airport the rate is terrible.
Do I need a winter jacket?
Heavy down jacket โ no. UK winters are mild (+2โ8ยฐC). You need a waterproof jacket (windproof + waterproof) + layers (thermal underwear + fleece). Rain + wind is the main enemy, not frost.
Can I bring my own medicines?
Yes. Bring them in the original packaging. Prescription medicines โ bring a prescription from your doctor (in English or with a translation). At the border they rarely check, but just in case. Antibiotics, painkillers, your chronic medicines โ definitely.
What extra should I bring for the farm?
Work gloves (5+ pairs), thermal underwear, Wellington boots (or buy for ยฃ8 in Primark), sleeping bag/blanket for the caravan, food for 3 days, powerbank 20,000+ mAh.
Can I activate an eSIM before the flight?
Yes. VOXI and Giffgaff offer eSIM โ activate with a QR code at home. Land with internet. You need iPhone XS+ or Samsung S20+. More โ