When temperatures spike, it may be a shock for some guests to find there aren’t many London sights with air-con – a mix of the town’s historic buildings and Britain’s erratic summer season climate means it’s not at all times important and might’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 the town with children and wish to flee the warmth?
I’ve picked out a few of the foremost vacationer sights 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: 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 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 have to hold their treasured displays 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 explicit attraction typically will get very heat inside – in case you are going, the dinosaur gallery has low gentle and could be 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 fantastic glass roof doesn’t 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 there’s no air-con right here both.
To discover a assured cool spot in a museum, try the non permanent exhibitions – an excellent 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 sights with air-con
SeaLife
The SeaLife Centre is certainly one of my high picks for a wet day in London with children, however with air-con all through the aquarium, it’s additionally the right spot to shelter from the warmth.
V&A
In the event you’re in search of a museum in South Kensington to remain cool, the V&A ought to high your checklist – 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 few 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 the town are additionally pretty and funky.
Now not used to move mail, you may nonetheless experience 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
The Museum of London additionally has a cooling and air-con system inside, so you may uncover the town’s historical past, proper from the times when hippos lived the place Trafalgar Sq. is now – and presumably welcomed the solar.
EDIT: The museum is now briefly closed till reopening in its new web site at Smithfield in 2026
Nationwide Maritime Museum
In the event you head all the way down to Greenwich (and a breeze on one of many river boats is a particular bonus if you can too discover a shady seat), the Nationwide Maritime Museum has air-con.
The realm across the big map can get heat, however with tales of Polar adventures (in addition to Tudor piracy and Pacific explorations), there’s a lot to find inside when you keep cool.
Tate Trendy & Tate Britain
With tens of millions passing by way 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 properly.
Tate Britain additionally has air-con and tends to be certainly one of London’s quieter galleries, so you may dodge overheated crowds as properly.
Nationwide Gallery
The Nationwide Gallery has boasted some air-con since 1949 to guard its work, in addition to newer air-con added throughout lockdown closures.
Just like the Tate and Museum of London, there’s the added bonus that entry is free.
Madame Tussauds
In the event you’ve acquired an attraction stuffed 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 properly with extremes of warmth or chilly, so the system tries to maintain the temperature pretty fixed, which suggests it is going to 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 gotten quick observe tickets, you’ll even be ready within the queue to board in your time slot as properly.
London theatres with air-con
Lots of the West Finish’s theatres are too previous, protected or fragile to have full air-con: the air cooling techniques are sometimes impressively environment friendly although, at theatres similar to the Apollo.
Nonetheless, some do have correct air-con together with the Adelphi Theatre (Again to the Future Musical), the Victoria Theatre (Hamilton), the Theatre Royal Haymarket (for The Tiger Who Got here To Tea), 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 Gruffalo), the Palladium and the Garrick all have air cooling.
In a slight twist of irony, in case you’re planning to observe Frozen on the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, there’s no aircon, so that you’ll have to depend on the motion to maintain you cool.
Take a look at TodayTix in case you’re in search of low cost theatre tickets and last-minute reductions
Vacationer sights in London with cooling techniques
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 way of the glass ground may 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 techniques to cease you overheating.
The Magic Bus additionally consists of water sprays and blasts of air. Beautiful.
Different issues to do when it’s scorching in London
In the event you’re seeking to escape the warmth in London with children, it’s not simply air conditioned sights which will help hold you cool.
Discover the dancing fountains & splash pads
Splash pads, dancing fountains, no matter identify 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 teenagers to splash in.
Or on the South Financial institution, the Showing Rooms interactive sculpture on the Southbank Centre is a enjoyable various, with jets of water creating ‘rooms’ earlier than they vanish. It’s value 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 typically one other set within the courtyard of Somerset Home on the other financial institution (solely switched on on choose dates, relying on occasions and climate). You can even discover extra fountains at Leicester Sq..
And if splashing alone isn’t sufficient, Ravenscourt Park in west London has a paddling pool – presently closed however anticipated to reopen on June 28. Free to make use of, however you’ve gotten beforehand wanted 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 test earlier than you go to**
Go to the parks
Regardless of being one of many greatest cities on the planet, London additionally scores properly in the case of inexperienced area, with a collection of pretty parks – Hyde Park has some nice shady spots in addition to the Diana Memorial fountain to dip your toes in.
Regent’s Park is one other nice various, or watch the pelicans at St James’s Park. However many of the royal parks can have a number of patches of shade to hang around when it’s scorching.
In the event you’re comfortable 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 likelihood of discovering an elusive breeze – the Sky Backyard has shady areas and could be a pretty spot when it’s scorching in London, in addition to being certainly one of my favorite viewpoints in London, though the within space is extra more likely to warmth up when it’s busy.
Stroll by the water
There are miles and miles of Thames path to discover – and whereas I’m not suggesting an extended stroll throughout a heatwave, you could find a breeze off the water as you sit on the banks. The Southbank is at all times among the best choices.
Or head to the canals – Little Venice is one other pretty spot, whereas the Grand Union Canal close to Paddington is lined with cafes.
In the event 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 (until 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 seaside at Ruislip Lido – there’s a splash pad right here too, though you may’t truly swim within the reservoir. Unsurprisingly it’s a well-liked 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 out of doors swimming pool is family-friendly always, with lowered costs for kids. However households with toddlers and youngsters below 7 could really feel extra snug on the designated household swim periods between 10:30am and 11:30am most weekends and holidays.
The lido is extraordinarily standard, particularly in the course of the hotter summer season months, so swim periods are booked in 50 minute slots. It’s strongly suggested to e book prematurely to keep away from disappointment – test availability right here.
Charlton Lido
Charlton Lido’s Olympic-sized heated out of doors pool is the right place to chill off, even throughout a heatwave – the pool is stored at a pleasing temperature of 22-28C all year long so that you needn’t depend on an extended stretch of solar to heat it up.
Owned by Higher Fitness center, the pool is obtainable to make use of by fitness center members and non-members. However in case you’re not a member, you will have to e book prematurely.
Youngsters are welcome in the course of the “Swim For All Classes” which run a minimum of as soon as a day (and extra usually throughout faculty holidays). Little ones can even benefit from the “Toddler Splash Classes” within the small educating pool on sure days all through the week.
Extra out of doors swimming pools/lidos in London
- Finchley Lido Leisure Centre – the out of doors pool opens from round Could Financial institution Vacation all through the summer season 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 out of doors pool is stored round 25C all yr 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 out of doors pool is open year-round and one of many greatest lidos in London at 60 metres by 28 metres. Youngsters can attend Open Swimming Classes at Parliament Hill Lido in the course of the daytime.
- Oasis Sports activities Centre, Tottenham Courtroom Street – central London’s solely heated, out of doors pool, this sits on a solar terrace above road degree. Youngsters can attend Swim For All Classes 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 youngsters below 8 are permitted to swim at Hampstead Heath Swimming Ponds but it surely’s an possibility for older children. Nonetheless, all under-16s should attend with an accompanying grownup who can be within the water with them and likewise have to go a swimming check!
- Tooting Bec Lido – newly reopened after refurbishment, Tooting Bec Lido is the biggest open-air freshwater pool within the UK.
Go to the Tower of London
There’s – unsurprisingly – no air-con in 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 peak of summer season, venturing into the previous royal residences may be blissfully cool. The realm with the Crown Jewels can 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 Paul’s cathedral hold the inside fantastically cool on scorching days.
Seize an ice cream
There are some improbable locations to show cooling down into an artwork kind – for one of the best ice cream in London, try this nice put up from Globetotting.
Getting round London within the warmth
In the event you’re planning a bus tour, Massive Bus Excursions could have air-conditioned areas on its buses, though it varies from bus to bus so the corporate can’t assure it.
These are typically decrease deck solely (until you’re on a bus with an enclosed higher space). Taking into account that many of the high deck is generally open to the weather (and likewise the place you’ll get one of the best views), you’ll have to depend on pure air cooling…
Tootbus doesn’t have air-con on its buses.
For extra recommendations on London’s greatest bus excursions with children, try 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 traces which keep nearer the floor – particularly the Overground, Metropolitan, Hammersmith & Metropolis and Circle – are typically cooler than the deep traces just like the Piccadilly and Northern line.
In the event 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 put up 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 photographs copyright MummyTravels
