When temperatures spike, it may be a shock for some guests to find there arenโt many London points of interest with air con โ a mix of the townโs historic buildings and Britainโs erratic summer time climate means itโs not all the time important and mayโt essentially be added on later.
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So what do you do when thereโs a heatwave in London, particularly in the event youโre visiting the town with youngsters and wish to flee the warmth?
Iโve picked out a number of the important vacationer points of interest in London with air con, air cooling or locations to go the place you gainedโt soften whereas the heatwave lasts.
London within the warmth: have to know
Keep in mind that even these locations which have air con have a tendency to not be as fiercely chilly as different international locations โ Iโve wanted to place additional layers on when going indoors within the US and Asia prior to now, however probably the most youโre more likely to discover is a pleasantly cool expertise.
And whereas Londonโs museums and galleries all the time have to hold their valuable displays in a local weather managed surroundings, that doesnโt all the time translate right into a managed local weather for guests โ even the place there’s a cooling system, you gainedโt stroll in to gusts of icy chill.
A mixture of huge crowds and the Pure Historical past Museumโs Grade I listed constructing means this specific attraction usually will get very heat inside โ if you’re going, the dinosaur gallery has low mild and is usually a little cooler.
The British Museum has air con in some areas however many are cooled solely by followers โ and the preferred galleries can get very busy, whereas the Nice Courtroomโs fantastic glass roof doesnโt make it the good spot.
And the London Transport Museum has some large open galleries to slot in its assortment of double decker buses and different classic transport, however thereโs no air con right here both.
To discover a assured cool spot in a museum, take a look at the non permanent exhibitions โ an amazing tip from Museum Mum, as the federal government scheme which insures loans has strict guidelines about environmental controls so these are an ideal place to flee the warmth in London.
London points of interest with air con
SeaLife
The SeaLife Centre is one in all my prime picks for a wet day in London with youngsters, however with air con all through the aquarium, itโs additionally the right spot to shelter from the warmth.
Take a look at my evaluate of go to to Sea Life London aquarium with youngsters
V&A
In the event youโre searching for a museum in South Kensington to remain cool, the V&A ought to prime your listing โ not solely does this Grade I constructing have air con however thereโs a fountain within the courtyard too.
The Postal Museum
Much less well-known than a number of the different London museums, the Postal Museum is much more tempting within the warmth โ in addition to air con, the underground tunnels which as soon as delivered mail throughout the town are additionally pretty and funky.
Now not used to move mail, you possibly can nonetheless experience the Mail Rail practice throughout your go to (though do keep in mind that it may be hotter contained in the carriages than within the tunnels).
Museum of London
EDIT: The museum is now briefly closed till reopening in its new web site at Smithfield in 2026
The Museum of London additionally has a cooling and air con system inside, so you possibly can uncover the townโs historical past, proper from the times when hippos lived the place Trafalgar Sq. is now โ and presumably welcomed the solar.
Nationwide Maritime Museum
In the event you head right down to Greenwich (and a breeze on one of many river boats is a particular bonus if it’s also possible to discover a shady seat), the Nationwide Maritime Museum has air con.
The world across the large map can get heat, however with tales of Polar adventures (in addition to Tudor piracy and Pacific explorations), thereโs lots to find inside when you keep cool.
Tate Trendy & Tate Britain
With tens of millions passing by means of the Tate Trendyโs galleries alone, air con has all the time been important to guard the artworks โ with the added bonus of defending the guests from melting as nicely.
Tate Britain additionally has air con and tends to be one in all Londonโs quieter galleries, so you possibly can dodge overheated crowds as nicely.
Nationwide Gallery
The Nationwide Gallery has boasted some air con since 1949 to guard its work, in addition to newer air con added and improved throughout lockdown closures to maintain everybody cooler.
Just like the Tate and Museum of London, thereโs the added bonus that entry is free.
Madame Tussauds
In the event youโve bought an attraction filled with wax works, you possibly canโt take the chance of all of them melting when the temperature rises so fortunately Madame Tussauds does have air con.
Equally understandably, the waxworks donโt do nicely with extremes of warmth or chilly, so the system tries to maintain the temperature pretty fixed, which implies it can by no means find yourself being freezing inside.
London Eye
The London Eyeโs capsules are all air conditioned โ however keep in mind that the glass pods are principally mini greenhouses, so on a searingly sizzling day, you possibly can nonetheless count on it to get heat inside.
Except you’ve got quick observe tickets, youโll even be ready within the queue to board on your time slot as nicely.
London theatres with air con
Lots of the West Finishโs theatres are too outdated, protected or fragile to have full air con: the air cooling techniques are sometimes impressively environment friendly although, at theatres such because the Apollo.
Nonetheless, some do have correct air con together with the Adelphi Theatre (Again to the Future Musical), the Victoria Palace Theatre (Hamilton), the Vaudeville Theatre (Six), in addition to the Criterion.
The Lyceum (for The Lion King), Apollo Victoria (for Depraved), Cambridge Theatre (for Matilda), Prince Edward Theatre, The Lyric (The Smeds and the Smoos), the Theatre Royal Haymarket (for The Tiger Who Got here To Tea), the Palladium and the Garrick all have air cooling.
In the event youโre planning to look at Hercules on the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, thereโs no air conditioning, so that youโll have to depend on chills from the drama to maintain you cool.
Take a look at TodayTix in the event youโre searching for low-cost theatre tickets and last-minute reductions
Vacationer points of interest in London with cooling techniques
Tower Bridge
Thereโs no air con inside Londonโs well-known bridge, however Tower Bridge does have ceiling followers contained in the high-level walkways to chill guests down.
And searching down by means of the glass ground would possibly ship a shiver down your backbone.
Science Museum
The temperature within the Science Museum varies relying which space youโre visiting, however thereโs a cooling system in Wonderlab, which makes it a very great spot to flee the warmth.
However the basement rooms, together with the Backyard โ a favorite of youthful youngsters โ do are inclined to get fairly heat.
Shrekโs Journey
In case your youngsters are wanting ahead to visiting Far Far Away, the excellent news is that a lot of the Shrekโs Journey attraction has cooling techniques to cease you overheating.
The Magic Bus additionally consists of water sprays and blasts of air. Pretty.
Different issues to do when itโs sizzling in London
In the event youโre trying to escape the warmth in London with youngsters, itโs not simply air conditioned points of interest which might help hold you cool.
Discover the dancing fountains & splash pads
Splash pads, dancing fountains, no matter identify you give them, theyโre unbeatable when itโs sizzling in London with youngsters.
Simply behind Kingโs Cross, theย fountains at Granary Sq.ย are made up of 1,080 choreographed jets โ every individually managed โ which squirt in patterns for youths to splash in.
Or on the South Financial institution, theย Showing Roomsย interactive sculpture on the Southbank Centre is a enjoyable different, with jets of water creating โroomsโ earlier than they vanish. Itโs value realizing that youngsters want tops on to splash right here.
Additional alongside the river, youโll discover theย Extra Londonย fountains close to Tower Bridge, whereas thereโs usually one other set within the courtyard ofย Somerset Homeย on the alternative financial institution (solely switched on on choose dates, relying on occasions and climate). You may as well discover extra fountains at Leicester Sq..
And if splashing alone isnโt sufficient, Ravenscourt Park in west London has a paddling pool, which reopened in Might half-term. Free to make use of, however it is advisable to prebook a timed slot as numbers are restricted.
**If Thames Water brings in a hosepipe ban or different restrictions, fountains will usually be switched off or be on for extra restricted occasions โ all the time test earlier than you go to**
Go to the parks
Regardless of being one of many largest cities on the planet, London additionally scores nicely in relation to inexperienced area, with a collection of pretty parks โ Hyde Park has some nice shady spots in addition to the Diana Memorial fountain to dip your toes in.
Regentโs Park is one other nice different, or watch the pelicans at St Jamesโs Park. However many of the royal parks can have just a few patches of shade to hang around when itโs sizzling.
In the event youโre completely happy to enterprise out of central London, Kew Gardens and the London Wetlands Centre close to Barnes are additionally nice choices to flee โ thereโs water play within the Wetlands Centre playground too
Head up excessive
The upper you go, the extra probability of discovering an elusive breeze โ the Sky Backyard has shady areas and is one in all my favorite viewpoints in London. The design of the constructing means the within space is ventilated though itโs extra more likely to really feel heat when itโs busy.
Stroll by the water
There are miles and miles of Thames path to discover โ and whereas Iโm not suggesting an extended stroll throughout a heatwave, you’ll find a breeze off the water as you sit on the banks. The Southbank is all the time probably the greatest choices.
Or head to the canals โ Little Venice is one other pretty spot, whereas the Grand Union Canal close to Paddington is lined with cafes.
In the event youโd quite be on the water, take a look at my ideas for one of the best boat excursions in London with youngsters in addition to locations to kayak with youngsters
Go for a swim
Though youโll must journey out of central London (except youโre staying in a lodge with a pool), there are lidos across the metropolis the place you possibly can have a dip.
Or head west to benefit from the seaside at Ruislip Lido โ thereโs a splash pad right here too, though you possibly canโt really swim within the reservoir. Unsurprisingly itโs a preferred spot on a sunny day.
Brockwell Lidoย
Discovered within the south London neighbourhood of Herne Hill, Brockwell Lido is a 50-metre unheated swimming pool thatโs open year-round. The outside swimming pool is family-friendly always, with lowered costs for youngsters. However households with toddlers and youngsters beneath 7 might really feel extra comfy on the designatedย household swim classesย between 10:30am and 11:30am most weekends and holidays.
The lido is extraordinarily widespread, particularly in the course of the hotter summer time months, so swim classes are booked in 50 minute slots. Itโs strongly suggested to e book prematurely to keep away from disappointment.ย
Charlton Lidoย
Charlton Lidoโs Olympic-sized heated outside pool is the right place to chill off, even throughout a heatwave โ the pool is saved at a pleasing temperature of 22-28C all year long so that you neednโt depend on an extended stretch of solar to heat it up.
Owned byย Higher Gymnasium, the pool is accessible to make use of by gymnasium members and non-members. However in the event youโre not a member, you have to to e book prematurely.ย
Youngsters are welcome in the course of the โSwim For All Periodsโ which run a minimum of as soon as a day (and extra commonly throughout college holidays). Little ones may also benefit from the โToddler Splash Periodsโ within the small educating pool on sure days all through the week.ย
Extra outside swimming pools/lidos in London
Finchley Lido Leisure Centreย โ the outside pool opens from round mid-Might all through the summer time months (although climate dependent so do doublecheck). Thereโs additionally an indoor enjoyable leisure pool atย Finchley Lidoย that features a wave machine, jets, and different enjoyable options.
London Fields Lidoย โ this 50m lengthy heated outside pool is saved round 25C all 12 months spherical. Youโll discover each lane swimming in addition to free swim areas atย London Fields Lidoย for youthful youngsters.
Parliament Hill Lidoย โ this non-heated outside pool is open year-round and one of many largest lidos in London at 60 metres by 28 metres. Youngsters can attend Open Swimming Periods atย Parliament Hill Lidoย in the course of the daytime.
Oasis Sports activities Centre, Tottenham Courtroom Highwayย โ central Londonโs solely heated, outside pool, this sits on a solar terrace above avenue degree. Youngsters can attend Swim For All Periods atย Oasis Sports activities Centreย however beneath 8s and non-swimmers aged 11-17 should be accompanied within the water by a reliable grownup swimmer.
Hampstead Heath Swimming Pondsย โ no kids beneath 8 are permitted to swim atย Hampstead Heath Swimming Pondsย but it surelyโs an possibility for older youngsters. Nonetheless, all under-16s should attend with an accompanying grownup who will likely be within the water with them and likewise have to move a swimming check!ย
Tooting Bec Lidoย โ newly reopened after refurbishment, Tooting Bec Lidoย is the most important open-air freshwater pool within the UK.
Go to the Tower of London
There may be โ unsurprisingly โ no air con within the Tower, however as anybody whoโs visited a fortress in winter is aware of, thick stone partitions make for cold interiors.
So within the top of summer time, venturing into the outdated royal flats could be blissfully cool. The world with the Crown Jewels can also be local weather managed to guard them.
Head inside a cathedral
In the identical approach, the centuries-old stone partitions of each Westminster Abbey and St Paulโs cathedral hold the inside fantastically cool on sizzling days.
Seize an ice cream
There are some improbable locations to show cooling down into an artwork type โ for one of the best ice cream in London, there are just a few mouth-watering concepts among the many finest desserts in London.
Getting round London within the warmth
In the event youโre planning a bus tour, Massive Bus Excursions might have air-conditioned areas on its buses, though it varies from bus to bus so the corporate canโt assure it.
These are usually decrease deck solely (except youโre on a bus with an enclosed higher space). Taking into consideration that many of the prime deck is usually open to the weather (and likewise the place youโll get one of the best views), youโll have to depend on pure air coolingโฆ
Tootbus doesnโt have air con on its buses.
For extra recommendations on Londonโs finest bus excursions with youngsters, take a look at this put up
On the tube, the Central line is formally the most well liked line, whereas the brand new Elizabeth Line has air con and is genuinely cool. In any other case, the strains which keep nearer the floor โ particularly the Overground, Metropolitan, Hammersmith & Metropolis and Circleย โ are usually cooler than the deep strains just like the Piccadilly and Northern line.
In the event youโd quite journey by water, the Uber Boat by Thames Clippers service has air conditioned interiors in addition to an open part on the deck to catch a breeze.
Disclosure: This put up accommodates affiliate hyperlinks โ any purchases you make are unaffected however I could obtain a small fee
Pure Historical past Museum/Tower Bridge/woman in goggles/London Underground signal courtesy of Depositphotos, all different photographs copyright MummyTravels
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