In this post I’d like to discuss the weather in England and some travel tips to assist in your transition to this destination as a relocation.

Weather in England can be challenging! The general view is that it is either rainy or drizzling constantly. Now, while that is an overstatement, I have found that the number of days that gray skies, rain or drizzle prevail can be daunting, to say the least. Therefore, if your destination is England, this can be a challenge if consistent sunny and warm weather is a must-have for you! Read on for ways to acclimate and thrive!

As most of you who read my posts are aware, I live in the southwest portion of England, in the town of Poole, county of Dorset. We live in a beautiful area on a peninsula surrounded by a fantastic harbor and gorgeous beaches.

The first year I lived here, in the spring of 2020, the weather was absolutely amazing! We sat on the deck in shorts and short sleeves most nights and enjoyed a glass of wine. We watched amazing sunsets. I worked in the garden. We even went paddle boarding in the month of April and the shallow water in the harbor was warm! So it is absolutely possible to have gorgeous, balmy weather in England!

However, I learned that this lovely spring of 2020 was not the “norm” weather for England.

Generally, we do have some good days where the sun peeks out. But, In 2021, there were 148.7 days in which 1 mm or more of rain fell. The year with the greatest number of rain days was 2000, with 178.5 days.

On average there are 1400 hours of sunshine a year in England. That equates to about 60 days per year, leaving the other 305 days to manage through.

Again, while the above statistics sound like a real detractor to having England as your relocation destination, let me assure you that England is beautiful. The countryside’s are lush and rich, outdoor gardens have blooms year round, and, when the weather cooperates, the English coast is gorgeous!

Now, here in the southwest of England we don’t get the weather extremes that we get from where I hail in Central Massachusetts, Yank country. We don’t get snow here in the southwest of England, and we generally don’t even get temps below freezing! We don’t have hurricanes, tornadoes, and very rarely do we even get a passing thunderstorm! All good news!

But, how does one cope with 305 overcast or rainy days in a year?

What I have learned and experienced in the past few years of living here in England is that the English folks are hardy, they know how to take advantage when the sun does come out and grab those days with both hands! I have seen folks eating outside even if the temperature is 40-50 degrees Fahrenheit (7 degrees Celsius). That’s pretty chilly to be sitting outside having a tea or eating your fish and chips! But, if the sun is shining, the Brits are outside enjoying it.

When the forecast calls for a sunny, wind-free day, folks are out in droves. My husband and I do the same. If the forecast is sunshine and warmth, we stop everything! We may go for a walk along the beach, a dip in the ocean, maybe a paddle-board in the harbor. We plan our barbecues on the deck, watch the sunset with an adult beverage in hand. In other words, we take advantage when we can!

Another tip for managing through the weather in England, especially in the truly dreary months of January-March, is to use a S.A.D. (Seasonal Affective Disorder) lamp. A good friend of mine, who has made her relocation destination England, suggested it to me last year. She even lent me hers (I still have it)! Now, she hails from Texas, so she knows what sunshine and warmth feels like and what it feels like to try and manage through 305 days lacking that vitamin D!

However you opt to manage through those 305 days, once you decide and make England your destination of choice, enjoy everything there is to offer!

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