What can we do in London this week ?

[Hello1290]

Looking to do a family day trip in to London this week. Can anyone suggest anywhere nice to visit (or avoid) in the 30 degree heat ?

If it’s too hot to be outside, head to a Museum, but one that’s not going to be too busy. The Horniman and the V and A museum of childhood are both good options.

Museums are a good call, particularly ones with major paid for exhibitions, as their air con is fierce! But I would plump for one that won't be too popular - I've heard good things about Food on a Plate at the V&A, it has lots of interactive bits, and will probably end up there myself with the little one! The best exhibition for families IMO at the moment is the Olafur Eliasson at Tate Modern, although that will be busier and I recommend booking for this.

I have 50 suggestions of days out in London with kids over the summer holidays in this blog post I just published, it includes some play water fountains and outdoor ideas:
museummum.com/2019/07/13/summer-holidays-2019-50-things-to-do-in-london-with-the-kids/

The Olympic Park has really brilliant fountains which will cool everyone down....lots of play areas too. Also it is quite breezy. So if you do fancy some outdoor fun it's a good place to go. It's right next to air conditioned Westfield where there are lots of places to eat. (Stratford).

I honestly wouldn't OP, Thursday is going to be well into the 30s and you can expect train delays/cancellations on the overground and unbearable levels of heat on most tube lines or on a bus. London does not cope well in the heat and I wouldn't take young kids in those temps.

If you are determined then the museums or galleries due to the presence of air con or something by water, like the park, as suggested. Most other things would be pretty tough going in that heat IMO.

I would avoid London like the plague this week! London in the heat is vile.

If you do come, get in early and be done by 11.

Avoid Thursday at least! We live in London and my family plans for Thursday involve a sprinkler in the garden and the cinema...

Friday looks cooler but possibly rainy.

Avoid, go into the countryside or to the beach

Head to one of the lidos, or the three swimming ponds in north London. Wander up by the river ( I am here now) nice little breeze and have a spot of lunch over looking the river in the shade. Head to Tate Britain, cool and good viewing gallery too....

Christ, avoid it this week. I live here and it'll be hell in this weather. Wait til it's cooler.

OP, I've just been out in central London at lunchtime - it is absolutely baking. Not much better in the shade. Slight breeze but I really wouldn't recommend.

I was in London yesterday - it was very busy, tubes were very warm and there were lots of little ones in their swimming costumes having freat fun in the fountains outside the Royal Festival Hall/Southbank centre. Until one slipped over but thats a whole other kettle of fish!!!

If I hadn't HAD to go to London this week, I wouldn't have chosen to. Its too hot

We were in London yesterday, came home today. Glad we had to come home early as DH had a meeting, it is too hot!

We loved the V&A museum, the natural science museum, had a wander around Harrods, and a bit of a giggle, a lovely lunch, and went to see Hamilton which was absolutelyfrigging amazing. . .

it is a lot hotter today than it was yesterday.

It sure was. We were actually glad to be coming home around 1.00pm.

V and A has a nice paddling pool/garden area. Not out of the sun, though.

We're in London today and tomorrow,vjust left the Tower. Absolutely baking but on the upside, not as rammed as usual because of the heat.
We're heading to the museum's tomorrow but steering clear on Thursday. Then back in on Fri to get the train home.

I wouldn't. Fairly hideous at the moment.

Only head to a Lido if you can be there at opening time. Unless you want to spend a huge time in a queue.

I would suggest getting this Thames Clipper from somewhere central and going down to Greenwich (Cutty Sark, Maritine Museum, Royal Observatory and a big park)

Thanks everyone for all your suggestions. Thursday is the only day DH and me will be off work together with DD until a couple of weeks time but it's looking like we need to set off mega early or avoid London which I think it's now predicted to be 37 degrees!!!!!

It is boiling today! Carry water bottles and keep in the shade!