Why this basket
- The plug, voltage and adaptor advice comes from Electrical Safety First, the UK electrical safety charity.
- The hard water line comes from Morphy Richards and the Drinking Water Inspectorate.
- The duvet size comes from Silentnight's buying guide.
- For the first-night box itself (bedding, towels, loo roll, a smoke alarm check), our first flat list covers it.
Plugs and power
Check every appliance's rating plate before you plug it in.
Adaptors for European plugs
VGUARD European to UK plug adaptor (2)
Worth waitingon offer 8 of 20 days, not today
The UK has one plug type, G: three rectangular pins with a fuse in the plug, on a 230 V, 50 Hz supply, Electrical Safety First says. European appliances run on the same voltage and frequency, so an adaptor is all they need. The listing says these are BS 8546 certified, the standard every travel adaptor sold in the UK must meet.
More about this pick
Price: we have checked it on 20 days; Amazon showed a discount of 10% or more on 8 of them.
An adaptor for US, Australian and other plugs
MyTravelPal World to UK plug adaptor
Worth waitingon offer 7 of 20 days, not today
Check the rating plate first. Electrical Safety First says a dual voltage appliance shows something like INPUT: 110-240V and works on UK mains; one rated only for 110 V needs a voltage converter or transformer, not just an adaptor. The listing describes this one as made to British safety standards; look for BS 8546 on it.
More about this pick
Price: we have checked it on 20 days; Amazon showed a discount of 10% or more on 7 of them.
A switched extension lead
Masterplug 4-socket surge lead, 2 m
4.8 on Amazon · 1,211 ratings · 5K+ bought last month · #2 in Power Strips · recorded 27 Sept 2026
Worth waitingon offer 27 of 31 days, not today
Electrical Safety First says one lead per wall socket and never one lead plugged into another, and that extension leads are rated at 13 A. This Masterplug has four switched sockets, surge protection and a 2 m cable, per the listing.
What buyers say
Buyers like
- Each socket has its own switch, handy for turning things off(7 of 10 reviews)
- Feels solid and well built rather than flimsy(6 of 10 reviews)
- The 2 metre cable is a useful length(4 of 10 reviews)
Our summary of the 10 reviews Amazon showed on 27 Sept 2026, counted by us.
More about this pick
- Weight
- 460 g
From the Amazon listing, recorded 27 Sept 2026. Sizes are the listing's own.
Price: we have checked it on 31 days; Amazon showed a discount of 10% or more on 27 of them.
Also recommended on: a first flat.
Bed and water
Two things that catch people out in the first week.
A duvet in UK sizes
Slumberdown Anti Allergy double duvet, 10.5 tog
4.6 on Amazon · 53,398 ratings · 2K+ bought last month · #5 in Duvets · recorded 27 Sept 2026
Worth waitingon offer 21 of 51 days, not today
Buy bedding once you know the bed. Silentnight gives 200 x 200 cm for a standard UK double duvet, and this one is that size. At 10.5 tog it sits at the bottom of Silentnight's winter range. The listing says it is machine washable.
What buyers say
Buyers like
- Feels light and fluffy while still keeping you warm(5 of 13 reviews)
- The outer fabric feels soft against the skin(2 of 13 reviews)
- Good quality for the price(4 of 13 reviews)
Our summary of the 13 reviews Amazon showed on 27 Sept 2026, counted by us.
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- Material
- Microfibre
- Care
- Machine Wash
From the Amazon listing, recorded 27 Sept 2026. Sizes are the listing's own.
Price: we have checked it on 51 days; Amazon showed a discount of 10% or more on 21 of them.
Also recommended on: a first flat.
A filter jug for hard water
4.7 on Amazon · 11,830 ratings · 10K+ bought last month · #1 in Water Filter Jugs · recorded 27 Sept 2026
Morphy Richards says London, the South East and East Anglia have the UK's highest mineral concentrations in their water. The DWI says ion-exchange jug filters reduce the scale that forms in kettles and the scum on hot drinks. The BRITA Marella uses ion-exchange cartridges and comes with three, the listing says.
What buyers say
Buyers like
- Filtered water tastes noticeably fresher than straight from the tap(8 of 13 reviews)
- Slim enough to sit neatly in the fridge, even in the door(6 of 13 reviews)
- Flip lid for refilling and a reminder for filter changes(4 of 13 reviews)
Our summary of the 13 reviews Amazon showed on 27 Sept 2026, counted by us.
More about this pick
- Size
- about 26 x 26 x 11 cm
- Weight
- 530 g
- Material
- Plastic
- Capacity
- 2.4 litres
- In the box
- 1 X Marella Water Filter Jug, 3 X MAXTRA PRO All-In-1 Water Filter Cartridges
From the Amazon listing, recorded 27 Sept 2026. Sizes are the listing's own.
Price: we have checked it on 53 days; Amazon showed a discount of 10% or more on 51 of them, including today.
Also recommended on: hard water, someone moving into their first flat.
Can wait
- A voltage converter or transformer. Only for an appliance rated for 110 V alone. Electrical Safety First says most converters come with plug adaptors, so you may not need a separate one, and to stay within the converter's power rating.
Skip it
- SkipAn adaptor from an unknown third-party sellerElectrical Safety First says to buy from a reputable retailer rather than a third-party seller online, as the adaptor may not have passed the safety checks. On Amazon, check who the seller is before you buy.
- SkipA non-earthed adaptor for an appliance that needs an earthElectrical Safety First says some adaptors suit only double-insulated equipment, usually marked with two rectangles; check the adaptor's power rating too.
Quick questions
Do I need a plug adaptor when I move to London?
Yes, unless your plugs are already UK Type G. Electrical Safety First says the UK has one plug type, with three rectangular pins and a fuse, and that all travel adaptors sold in the UK must meet BS 8546.
Will my appliances work on UK voltage?
Check the rating plate. UK mains is 230 V at 50 Hz, Electrical Safety First says. A plate reading something like INPUT: 110-240V means the appliance works here with an adaptor; one rated only for 110 V needs a voltage converter or transformer as well.
Is the water in London hard?
Yes. Morphy Richards says the UK's highest mineral concentrations are in London, the South East and East Anglia, where the water is drawn from chalk and limestone aquifers. For your own address, the DWI says to ask your water company. Our hard water list covers the kettle, the shower and the dishwasher.
What size is a UK double duvet?
200 x 200 cm for a standard double, Silentnight says. Measure the bed you have before you buy sheets.
Sources: Electrical Safety First: Travel adaptor for the United Kingdom (checked 7 October 2026); Electrical Safety First: Travel advice (checked 7 October 2026); Electrical Safety First: Extension leads safety (checked 26 September 2026); Silentnight: Duvet buying guide (checked 26 September 2026); Morphy Richards: the definitive guide to kettle maintenance (checked 17 October 2026); Drinking Water Inspectorate: Water hardness (checked 17 October 2026).
