When temperatures spike, it may be a shock for some guests to find there aren’t many London points of interest with air-con – a mixture of town’s historic buildings and Britain’s erratic summer time climate means it’s not at all times important and may’t essentially be added on later.
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So what do you do when there’s a heatwave in London, particularly in case you’re visiting town with children and wish to flee the warmth?
I’ve picked out a number of the foremost vacationer points of interest in London with air-con, air cooling or locations to go the place you received’t soften whereas the heatwave lasts.
London within the warmth: must know
Keep in mind that even these locations which have air-con have a tendency to not be as fiercely chilly as different nations – I’ve wanted to place further layers on when going indoors within the US and Asia prior to now, however essentially the most you’re more likely to discover is a pleasantly cool expertise.
And whereas London’s museums and galleries at all times must maintain their treasured reveals in a local weather managed atmosphere, that doesn’t at all times translate right into a managed local weather for guests – even the place there’s a cooling system, you received’t stroll in to gusts of icy chill.
A mix of huge crowds and the Pure Historical past Museum‘s Grade I listed constructing means this specific attraction usually will get very heat inside – in case you are going, the dinosaur gallery has low mild and generally is a little cooler.
The British Museum has air-con in some areas however many are cooled solely by followers – and the preferred galleries can get very busy, whereas the Nice Courtroom’s great glass roof doesn’t make it the best 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 there’s no air-con right here both.
To discover a assured cool spot in a museum, try the short-term exhibitions – an important 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 considered one of my prime picks for a wet day in London with children, however with air-con all through the aquarium, it’s additionally the proper spot to shelter from the warmth.
Try my overview of go to to Sea Life London aquarium with children
V&A
In case you’re in search of a museum in South Kensington to remain cool, the V&A ought to prime your listing – not solely does this Grade I constructing have air-con however there’s 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 – in addition to air-con, the underground tunnels which as soon as delivered mail throughout town are additionally beautiful and funky.
Now not used to move mail, you may nonetheless journey the Mail Rail prepare 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 website at Smithfield in 2026
The Museum of London additionally has a cooling and air-con system inside, so you may uncover town’s historical past, proper from the times when hippos lived the place Trafalgar Sq. is now – and presumably welcomed the solar.
Nationwide Maritime Museum
In case you head right down to Greenwich (and a breeze on one of many river boats is a particular bonus if you may also 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), there’s loads to find inside whilst you keep cool.
Tate Trendy & Tate Britain
With thousands and thousands passing by means of the Tate Trendy’s galleries alone, air-con has at all times been important to guard the artworks – with the added bonus of defending the guests from melting as nicely.
Tate Britain additionally has air-con and tends to be considered one of London’s quieter galleries, so you may dodge overheated crowds as nicely.
Nationwide Gallery
The Nationwide Gallery has boasted some air-con since 1949 to guard its work, in addition to more moderen air-con added and improved throughout lockdown closures to maintain everybody cooler.
Just like the Tate and Museum of London, there’s the added bonus that entry is free.
Madame Tussauds
In case you’ve received an attraction filled with wax works, you may’t take the danger of all of them melting when the temperature rises so fortunately Madame Tussauds does have air-con.
Equally understandably, the waxworks don’t do nicely with extremes of warmth or chilly, so the system tries to maintain the temperature pretty fixed, which implies it would by no means find yourself being freezing inside.
London Eye
The London Eye’s capsules are all air conditioned – however keep in mind that the glass pods are principally mini greenhouses, so on a searingly scorching day, you may nonetheless count on it to get heat inside.
Except you’ve got quick observe tickets, you’ll even be ready within the queue to board in your time slot as nicely.
London theatres with air-con
Most of the West Finish’s theatres are too previous, protected or fragile to have full air-con: the air cooling programs 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 case you’re planning to observe Hercules on the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, there’s no aircon, so that you’ll must depend on chills from the drama to maintain you cool.
Try TodayTix in case you’re in search of low cost theatre tickets and last-minute reductions
Vacationer points of interest in London with cooling programs
Tower Bridge
There’s no air-con inside London’s well-known bridge, however Tower Bridge does have ceiling followers contained in the high-level walkways to chill guests down.
And looking out 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 you’re visiting, however there’s a cooling system in Wonderlab, which makes it a very great spot to flee the warmth.
However the basement rooms, together with the Backyard – a favorite of youthful children – do are inclined to get fairly heat.
Shrek’s Journey
In case your children are trying ahead to visiting Far Far Away, the excellent news is that a lot of the Shrek’s Journey attraction has cooling programs to cease you overheating.
The Magic Bus additionally contains water sprays and blasts of air. Pretty.
Different issues to do when it’s scorching in London
In case you’re seeking to escape the warmth in London with children, it’s not simply air conditioned points of interest which may also help maintain you cool.
Discover the dancing fountains & splash pads
Splash pads, dancing fountains, no matter title you give them, they’re unbeatable when it’s scorching in London with children.
Simply behind King’s Cross, the fountains at Granary Sq. are made up of 1,080 choreographed jets – every individually managed – which squirt in patterns for youths to splash in.
Or on the South Financial institution, the Showing Rooms interactive sculpture on the Southbank Centre is a enjoyable different, with jets of water creating ‘rooms’ earlier than they vanish. It’s price figuring out that youngsters want tops on to splash right here.
Additional alongside the river, you’ll discover the Extra London fountains close to Tower Bridge, whereas there’s usually one other set within the courtyard of Somerset Home on the alternative financial institution (solely switched on on choose dates, relying on occasions and climate). You may also discover extra fountains at Leicester Sq..
And if splashing alone isn’t sufficient, Ravenscourt Park in west London has a paddling pool, which reopened in Might half-term. Free to make use of, however it’s worthwhile 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 instances – at all times examine earlier than you go to**
Go to the parks
Regardless of being one of many greatest cities on the earth, London additionally scores nicely with regards to inexperienced area, with a collection of beautiful parks – Hyde Park has some nice shady spots in addition to the Diana Memorial fountain to dip your ft in.
Regent’s Park is one other nice different, or watch the pelicans at St James’s Park. However a lot of the royal parks could have a couple of patches of shade to hang around when it’s scorching.
In case you’re pleased to enterprise out of central London, Kew Gardens and the London Wetlands Centre close to Barnes are additionally nice choices to flee – there’s water play within the Wetlands Centre playground too
Head up excessive
The upper you go, the extra probability of discovering an elusive breeze – the Sky Backyard has shady areas and is considered one of my favorite viewpoints in London. The design of the constructing means the within space is ventilated though it’s extra more likely to really feel heat when it’s busy.
Stroll by the water
There are miles and miles of Thames path to discover – and whereas I’m not suggesting a protracted stroll throughout a heatwave, you will discover a breeze off the water as you sit on the banks. The Southbank is at all times among the finest choices.
Or head to the canals – Little Venice is one other beautiful spot, whereas the Grand Union Canal close to Paddington is lined with cafes.
In case you’d fairly be on the water, try my ideas for one of the best boat excursions in London with children in addition to locations to kayak with children
Go for a swim
Though you’ll should journey out of central London (except you’re staying in a resort with a pool), there are lidos across the metropolis the place you may have a dip.
Or head west to benefit from the seashore at Ruislip Lido – there’s a splash pad right here too, though you may’t truly swim within the reservoir. Unsurprisingly it’s a preferred spot on a sunny day.
Brockwell Lido
Discovered within the south London neighbourhood of Herne Hill, Brockwell Lido is a 50-metre unheated swimming pool that’s open year-round. The outside swimming pool is family-friendly always, with lowered costs for kids. However households with toddlers and youngsters below 7 might really feel extra comfy on the designated household swim periods between 10:30am and 11:30am most weekends and holidays.
The lido is extraordinarily widespread, particularly throughout the hotter summer time months, so swim periods are booked in 50 minute slots. It’s strongly suggested to guide upfront to keep away from disappointment.
Charlton Lido
Charlton Lido’s Olympic-sized heated outside pool is the proper place to chill off, even throughout a heatwave – the pool is saved at a pleasing temperature of 22-28C all year long so that you needn’t depend on a protracted stretch of solar to heat it up.
Owned by Higher Fitness center, the pool is offered to make use of by gymnasium members and non-members. However in case you’re not a member, you will want to guide upfront.
Kids are welcome throughout the “Swim For All Periods” which run a minimum of as soon as a day (and extra repeatedly throughout college holidays). Little ones can even benefit from the “Toddler Splash Periods” within the small educating pool on sure days all through the week.
Extra outside swimming pools/lidos in London
Finchley Lido Leisure Centre – the outside pool opens from round mid-Might all through the summer time months (although climate dependent so do doublecheck). There’s additionally an indoor enjoyable leisure pool at Finchley Lido that features a wave machine, jets, and different enjoyable options.
London Fields Lido – this 50m lengthy heated outside pool is saved round 25C all 12 months spherical. You’ll discover each lane swimming in addition to free swim areas at London Fields Lido for youthful children.
Parliament Hill Lido – this non-heated outside pool is open year-round and one of many greatest lidos in London at 60 metres by 28 metres. Children can attend Open Swimming Periods at Parliament Hill Lido throughout the daytime.
Oasis Sports activities Centre, Tottenham Courtroom Highway – central London’s solely heated, outside pool, this sits on a solar terrace above road degree. Children can attend Swim For All Periods at Oasis Sports activities Centre however below 8s and non-swimmers aged 11-17 should be accompanied within the water by a reliable grownup swimmer.
Hampstead Heath Swimming Ponds – no kids below 8 are permitted to swim at Hampstead Heath Swimming Ponds nevertheless it’s an choice for older children. Nonetheless, all under-16s should attend with an accompanying grownup who might be within the water with them and in addition must cross a swimming check!
Tooting Bec Lido – newly reopened after refurbishment, Tooting Bec Lido is the most important open-air freshwater pool within the UK.
Go to the Tower of London
There’s – unsurprisingly – no air-con within the Tower, however as anybody who’s visited a fort in winter is aware of, thick stone partitions make for cold interiors.
So within the top of summer time, venturing into the previous royal flats could be blissfully cool. The world with the Crown Jewels can be local weather managed to guard them.
Head inside a cathedral
In the identical means, the centuries-old stone partitions of each Westminster Abbey and St Paul’s cathedral maintain the inside superbly cool on scorching days.
Seize an ice cream
There are some incredible locations to show cooling down into an artwork kind – for one of the best ice cream in London, there are a couple of mouth-watering concepts among the many finest desserts in London.
Getting round London within the warmth
In case you’re planning a bus tour, Large Bus Excursions might have air-conditioned areas on its buses, though it varies from bus to bus so the corporate can’t assure it.
These are usually decrease deck solely (except you’re on a bus with an enclosed higher space). Taking into consideration that a lot of the prime deck is usually open to the weather (and in addition the place you’ll get one of the best views), you’ll must depend on pure air cooling…
Tootbus doesn’t have air-con on its buses.
For extra tips about London’s finest bus excursions with children, try this publish
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 traces which keep nearer the floor – particularly the Overground, Metropolitan, Hammersmith & Metropolis and Circle – are usually cooler than the deep traces just like the Piccadilly and Northern line.
In case you’d fairly 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 publish accommodates affiliate hyperlinks – 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 pictures copyright MummyTravels
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