Holiday in the heatwave, would you go or hold off a few days?

[ScarlettOHaraHamiltonKennedyButler]

Due to go on a UK break in the peak district at the weekend. Temp to be around 34 from Sun - Tues. We are in the West of Scotland where it has also to be hot but not quite that hot (27 i think).

We are booked Sun - Sun in a lodge (no air con). We are torn about whether to miss the first few days and head down after the worst of the heat or just go as planned and deal with it? It will be too hot to be outdoors for too long and don't want to be stuck in a lodge with two bored DC (9 and 5). All of our planned activities are outdoors.

What would you do?

Why on earth would you lose 4 days holiday because it's hot?

That's bonkers. People still go out in the sunshine.

In fact if you're lucky you'll find a restaurant with air conditioning!

We go to Italy next week. Forecast is 38. Can't bloody wait. Shorts and vest tops and sun cream and lots of water. Heavenly.

I'd go and look up somewhere really shady. Maybe go down evening of first day so you're travelling when it's coolest.

Also, the peak district has lovely little tarns to swim in, lots of shade in forest parts and streams to paddle in everywhere!

Tbh I’d rather be on a holiday than at home in a heatwave, you can chill out and take advantage of any swimming/forests and timetable activities for cooler parts of the day.

I’ve no idea what the forecast is in Scotland but maybe treat it more like a foreign holiday and it won’t seem so daunting.

When we go on holiday in the UK I pray for weather like this!

Thanks, I tend to agree its madness but then I think if it was any other kind of weather warning we would probably avoid until it is over.

Abroad is totally different as there are pools, air con, those countries are set up for hot holidays.

I'm annoyed because our abroad holiday isn't until September, I wouldn't mind being in Spain in the heat but in the UK it doesn't sound as much fun.

Exactly what I was going to say.

I understand your resistance.

I've cancelled a trip out Sunday due to the heat but mine involved a 5 hour round trip and being somewhere with no shade and it was a swimming event for ds so nowhere to seek it either.

Abroad is totally different as there are pools, air con, those countries are set up for hot holidays

True, but there’s a lot you can do (maybe pack some fans and extra towels to damp and use as blankets for sleeping).

I think the hardest part of heatwaves in this country is slogging through the daily grind, especially if you’re surrounded by concrete. You’re automatically at an advantage just by being on holiday imho. Research a bit for specific locations you can access easy paddling/swimming or shadier forests to head off to.

if it’s really putting you off then absolutely cancel a few days but I think it’s doable and possibly even enjoyable.

That said, I’m SE and there’s a lovely breeze where I am today which might be colouring my view a bit today.

Are you being serious. Go the peak district isnt an open terrain. There are plenty of areas you can go where you can find shade and water and also go inside with air con. I wouldn't want to do the 8 hour car journey we did to Scotland I would fo that through the night in a heatwave but the rest no worries.

No way would I lose out on my holiday!

We’ve been camping in the Peak District when it’s hot, with three kids and a dog. You’ll be fine, as there are pools and streams to spend the day by. In the evening, we set up bowls and buckets of water for the kids to throw at each other and the dog joined in as well. It was one of our best holidays ever.

The peak District will surely be the best place to spend a heatwave rather than in a city (like me!). The peaks have lots of hills where it is open and breezy, woodlands where it is shady, streams you can paddle in. You will be fine as long as you are prepared with suncream, hats, water bottles etc - have a fantastic holiday I'm very jealous!

I'd be happier to stay in Scotland than head into that level of heat as I find heat miserable especially when I can't sleep

This 💯 there's been a lovely breeze around here too and may be the case there and be idyllic.

Walk in the woods
paddle in a stream
visit some caves
picnic in the shade
sit on a hillside in the breeze
just go!

I’d be down there so fast my knickers would catch fire. I dream of weather like this coinciding with a uk break.

We're in a similar position, travelling with the dog too which makes it a bit more complicated. We haven't considered holding off, worst that can happen is one of us stays in cottage with dog while rest go to water park.

So you'd rather sit in an un air conditioned house at home, or worse still be at work, than sit in an un air conditioned holiday place? The Peak District will be lovely in the heat, lots of tree shade, steams etc to sit by, walk by.

I really struggle to understand why people grind to a halt at slightly different weather conditions. Madness, it's hardly 50 degrees with no shade. Chances are it'll piss down anyway

I live in the Peak District so depending where it is but there are lots of shaded activities/places to go near where I look live! Our local weather site is saying it’s going to be v hot but I would say still go but plan things in the shade.

Thanks all, I've never been to the peak district before so feeling much better after reading this that there will be plenty of shade. Worst part will probably be the 4.5 hour drive in the heat but the car has decent air con at least.

I think the difference is that it's likely to be 10 degrees cooler at home than anywhere in the peaks shaded or not which for some people is a big deal

Could you go swimming and then plan activities for late afternoon/early evening when it gets a bit cooler?
Pack ice pop and freeze them when you get there.

People go on holiday for hot weather, surely? I think you’ve been incredibly lucky.

Where exactly are you going?