What to do in London when it's sweltering

[Lottapianos]

I've been a Londoner for 20 years so should have figured this out by now! Next weekend is forecast to be 32 degrees. I want to get out and do something on Saturday, not just flop about the garden / house. I really struggle in that sort of heat so nothing too energetic, and can't just go on the booze all day because that won't end well

What adult things do you do if you struggle with the heat but also want to make the most of your Saturday? It's just me and DP so no child friendly suggestions needed. Ta

34 degrees and a train strike - I'll be staying at home!

What sort of things do you like? The big art galleries and museums are usually cool inside.

The royal academy of arts is lovely and cool. A quick wander around Fortnums and then hire deckchairs and sit under a tree in Green park with a book and a drink?

I went to the V&A in the last heatwave -- it was lovely and cool, and everyone was splashing around in the little pool (it might be a fountain? can't remember) in the courtyard. Also if you go by district / circle lines, those are among the air conditioned ones.

Go for lunch and sit indoors letting everyone else fight over the pavement tables where they sweat and breathe in traffic fumes and fend off pigeons and beggars.

Do NOT go to the British Museum when it's hot. I hadn't been for years and though that would be relaxing thing to do on Saturday (when it was only warm) and omg it was just full of sweaty bods and stale air. Not nice. Def no air con there

Swimming? Hampstead Ponds or one of the Lidos?

What would you do in Paris, Rome, Madrid, Berlin, Athens etc. - they all regularly get to 32 degrees and above?

People who don't like hot temperatures wouldn't choose to visit Paris, Rome, Madrid, Berlin, Athens etc during the summer months.

Cinema, theatre (a more modern one would be sensible as some of the older west end ones will be roasting - check reviews), art galleries, swim at the albert docks/canary wharf, sit under a tree in greenwich park, play minigolf or darts at swingers/flight club, shop at a fancy department store.

Stupid comparison since presumably you would do different things in each city. OP is asking about London. I hear you OP I've lived here 20years too and still haven't worked it out (beyond wear silk and drink iced coffee).

We are booked into Hampton Lido. It’s so lovely.

Lidos and ponds, there are some beautiful ones that have had refurbs recently

The Tooting Lido - huge pool, I think unheated!

Thanks for some great suggestions. Hadn't thought of cinema, that might work. Or go out for a long lunch instead of dinner

Mardy, I'm glad I'm not the only Londoner who is crap in the heat! ☺️ I honestly do try to enjoy it because I like the sun and the warm, and the grey and cold will be back soon enough, but when it gets over 30 degrees I'm just a damp sweaty mess and that's gross

@Lottapianos the cinema is a good idea. I love going at about 11am all year round. There are only a few people - once I was the only person - you get a discount and it's a novelty coming our in daylight. Take a cardigan. The air conditioning will be fierce even though the place doesn't need it.

Cinema is the coolest place I can think of... I'm often cold watching a film
Then something to eat somewhere spacious or shady

I was at the Royal Academy a few days ago and it was vile - SO busy.

I'd personally spend several hours in the big Foyles and then find a quiet bar or coffee shop.

Or yes to a long lunch.

If you go somewhere like Westfield (Sheppards Bush for preference) you can do shopping, cinema and dining with Aircon. This only works if everyone else doesn't have the same idea.

Shepherd's Bush! Sorry Bushies.

Little Venice is nice, it can be cool to walk along the water, there is a shady park and lots of nice places to to have lunch towards Paddington.

That's what I did when it was 40 degrees. It was great!

Yuck. I was there in the early July heat and it was half dead… clearly lucked out.

Ditto the Natural History Museum! Went two weeks ago and it was crammed and boiling hot!

I second/third/fourth a lido...