A London heatwave is unbearable. Last week I laughed when a friend told me that she was sitting with a damp towel round her neck; by day three, I was sitting in the dark, blogging with a wet facecloth on my head. London is not geared up for this – we know how to keep dry in torrential rain and avoid frostbite in winter, but give us 3 days of 30+C temperatures, and streets are deserted, and the NHS is overwhelmed. When I can face leaving the house, this is where to go.
1. An Air-Conditioned Shopping Expedition
This tip came from a Kuwaiti woman I chatted to in Covent Garden. She said summer temperatures in Kuwait exceed 60°C—and everything from shopping malls to mosques is air-conditioned. Some of the best air con in London is at the John Lewis department store, but I prefer to make a day of it. I head out to Westfield London in Shepherd’s Bush, where the whole shopping complex is air-conditioned, have an iced latte at Läderach or Ole & Steen (both near the Atrium), then try not to buy anything unless it’s 70% off.
-
Westfield London, Ariel Way, London W12 7GF
-
020 3371 2300
-
Free entry. Coffee from £3.50.
2. Wild Swimming at Richmond Lakes
Or I go to cool off by taking a dip in a lake. water. With the recent spate of deaths from unsupervised swimming, I make sure that other people are around. Richmond Lakes has a tucked-away spot known as Petersham & Thames Young Mariners. It is near Ham and is one of the few places to enjoy proper wild swimming. I take a picnic with cold drinks and something to read and I’m set for the day.
-
Thames Young Mariners, Riverside Dr, Richmond TW10 7RX
-
020 8891 7537
-
Entry approx. £6 (book in advance for open water sessions).
3. Laptop Work at the National Theatre
The National Theatre is one of the best free office spaces in the capital. It has plenty of tables and comfy seating on several floors. There is plentiful natural light, strong air-con, fast WiFi, and I can nurse an elderflower pressé for hours without any pressure from the staff. Bonus points: there are pop-up summer bars and food stalls outside and unbeatable river views. It’s a shame that TFL placed Waterloo tube a 15-minute schlep away from the South Bank Complex.
-
Upper Ground, South Bank, London SE1 9PX
-
020 7452 3000
-
Entry free; drinks from £3.50.
4. Look at Modern Art at the Tate
When a London heatwave hits, the last thing I want is anything cosy, cocooning and cluttered.
The Tate Modern’s Turbine Hall feels like a stylish aircraft hangar—concrete, vast and cool. It is ideal when I’ve lost the will to function. When I have regained my momentum, I go and look at some Picassos. Great toilets too.
-
Bankside, London SE1 9TG
-
020 7887 8888
-
Free entry; suggested donation £5. Exhibitions extra.
5. Sit and Reflect in a Church
Churches have their own microclimates—cool, dim, and slightly musty. I pop into St Martin-in-the-Fields, just off Trafalgar Square. The Café in the Crypt is subterranean and cool. Sadly, it has featured in every tourist guidebook, so isn’t as serene as it once was. But there is a shaded courtyard at the rear with an outdoor cafe which is ideal for a quiet sit-down.
-
Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 4JH
-
020 7766 1100
-
Free entry; café mains from £9.50.
6. Escapism at an Air-Conditioned Cinema
For old-school air conditioning and lights-down escapism, I go to Regent Street Cinema. It is perfect any day of the week, but on Mondays there is an over-55 screening for just £5.50. The Barbican also offers £6 tickets and a senior screening with a great deal on coffee and cake.
-
Regent Street Cinema: 309 Regent St, London W1B 2UW
-
020 7911 5050
-
Barbican Cinema: Silk St, London EC2Y 8DS
-
020 7638 8891
We explain all you need to know about how to bag a cheap London Cinema ticket at some of the most luxurious cinemas in town.
7. Beat a London Heatwave by Going Out for Ice Cream
Yes, Fortnum’s does a pricey knickerbocker glory, and the banana split at The Wolseley is fit for royalty. But for more frugal options, I try Venchi in Covent Garden or Gelupo in Soho. Both serve some of the best ice creams in London (Gelupo makes theirs fresh each day).
-
Venchi: 18 Henrietta St, London WC2E 8QH
-
Gelato from £5.50
-
Gelupo: 7 Archer St, London W1D 7AU
-
020 7287 555
If you are in the mood to splurge, you can’t beat the banana split at The Wolseley, which I have rated as London’s best dessert.
8. Visit the Sky Garden (Early or Late)
Booking is free, so I try to plan ahead. There’s an air-conditioned leafy space with great views over London. I get there late afternoon to avoid both the heat and the tourists.
- 20 Fenchurch St, London EC3M 8AF
-
020 7337 2344
-
Free with advance booking.
9. Head to a Free Museum Late Opening
Museums like the V&A, British Museum, and Science Museum have late-night openings (Fridays, usually) and excellent air conditioning. The V&A’s Raphael Court and John Madejski Garden are serene green places to meet a friend, chill and drink coffee.
-
V&A: Cromwell Rd, London SW7 2RL
-
020 7942 2000
-
Free.
10. Hide in a Luxury Hotel Lobby
Or I pretend I’m waiting for a friend and hang out in 5-star hotel lobbies such as The Standard, The Ned, or The Rosewood. If you try this tip, dress smart so you don’t look out of place, fob off the doorman and seek out a plush sofa and a cold drink.
-
The Standard: 10 Argyle St, London WC1H 8EG
-
The Ned: 27 Poultry, London EC2R 8AJ
-
Rosewood London: 252 High Holborn, WC1V 7EN
11. Browse in a Hidden Library
The Wellcome Collection and National Art Library (inside the V&A) are cool, underused gems for bibliophiles. No need to read—sometimes I just chill and doomscroll on my phone. However, you have to leave your bag in a locker and can only take in water (no food or other drink).
- Wellcome Collection: 183 Euston Rd, London NW1 2BE
-
National Art Library: Inside V&A, Cromwell Rd, SW7 2RL
12. Sip a Chilled Cocktail with a View
Try the bar at OXO Tower, Radio Rooftop, or the more budget-friendly Queen Elizabeth Hall Roof Garden. If you get there early, you might snag a shady table without buying a full meal.
-
Queen Elizabeth Roof Garden: Southbank Centre, Belvedere Rd, SE1 8XX
13. Invest in the Ultimate London Heatwave Kit
This one’s about kit. To avoid a London heatwave-induced meltdown, Muji, Flying Tiger, or Miniso all sell good-value handheld fans and portable misters. However, I fancy one of those expensive neck-shaped fans… a necessary splurge.
-
Muji: 187 Oxford St, London W1D 2JY
-
020 7734 1979
-
Fans from £4.95
