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Original poster

Would you still go to London in the heat this Saturday?

103 replies

Royanne · 06/09/2023 22:48

We live a few hours from London in a not very exciting place. A couple of times a year DH goes to London to do a volunteering thing, and DD12 and I usually take the opportunity to go with him, and spend the day doing our own thing. Always really look forward to it.

We're supposed to be there on Saturday but now it's forecast to be 33 and I'm wondering whether it will be too hot traipsing around, getting the tube etc. Our plan was to do some shopping in the morning and the V&A in the afternoon.

Would you still go?

OP posts:
Blackblueandgold · 07/09/2023 08:56

I've done this before in this heat and it was awful. Ruined the day, everyone was too hot to do anything or enjoy anything. Everyone felt ill by the end of the day. I wouldn't do it again.

SomethingNastyInTheBallPool · 07/09/2023 08:59

Jubilee Line from St John’s Wood to Bond Street is really quick. You’ll be fine. Just stay inside as much as you can for the shopping bit of your day - as PPs have said, big shops all have air con. You can go and lurk in a cinema if it all gets too much!

Spinet · 07/09/2023 08:59

Citymapper app is great and you can search for air conditioned routes. A relaxed look around the shops and the V&A sounds lovely.

Empresstea · 07/09/2023 09:05

SiliconHeaven · 07/09/2023 00:06

Yes, I’m here now, hot and busy but fine, I dipped into the portrait gallery for an air conditioned respite, it’s fine, will get cooler by the weekend

Saturday is predicted to be the hottest day of the year so definitely not getting cooler!

BlackJumpsuit · 07/09/2023 09:07

Personally not unless I absolutely had to 😂

But before I was menopausal I probably would 😂

Loads of water, hand held fan, seek out the a/c, avoid the tube, you'll have a great time!

oOiluvfriendsOo · 07/09/2023 09:12

I'm on my first visit to London this weekend. Organised coach trip so not cancelling. We're happy about the weather as we get to live in shorts and tshirts.. I don't fancy public transport but may have to use it as we have no idea what is around us, staying at Canary Wharf.

Trickytimer · 07/09/2023 09:17

DelphiniumBlue · 06/09/2023 23:52

Not a chance! I live in London, you couldn’t pay me to go public transport in this weather, it will be 40+ on the tube and the buses will be only slightly better. Too hot to walk around, I’d be staying at home.

Same! that’s 33 in the shade 😱

Original poster
Royanne · 07/09/2023 09:23

SomethingNastyInTheBallPool · 07/09/2023 08:59

Jubilee Line from St John’s Wood to Bond Street is really quick. You’ll be fine. Just stay inside as much as you can for the shopping bit of your day - as PPs have said, big shops all have air con. You can go and lurk in a cinema if it all gets too much!

Thanks. We always try to do something different each time and originally had been planning to do the Portobello Rd market, but figured it would just be too hot and busy. DD always happy to go to Hamleys so thought that area would be better.

OP posts:
Ginmonkeyagain · 07/09/2023 09:40

It will be fine - plenty of us live and work in London in the heat, People are just being dramatic.

As people have said many public buildings and shops have air conditioning.

I would say the bus is better than the tube in the heat as you can have the windows open and it is easier to get off if you are feeling a bit too hot. The 74 bus goes directly from outside Baker St to South Kensington.

As people have said the semi underground lines like the District and Cricle are often cooler in this weather.

Take water with you, allow more time to get places so you can move slower, use the parks as they will have plenty of trees and shade.

We travelled through Paris last year in 35 degree heat and are still here to tell the tale!

Spinet · 07/09/2023 09:50

It will be fine - but also if you don't fancy it and you have a nice bucolic river to drape yourself next to instead where you live it might be more fun (I live in London).

Bouledeneige · 07/09/2023 10:12

I probably wouldn't but I hate the heat.

Bouledeneige · 07/09/2023 10:12

Boules melt in hot weather

Original poster
Royanne · 07/09/2023 10:17

Spinet · 07/09/2023 09:50

It will be fine - but also if you don't fancy it and you have a nice bucolic river to drape yourself next to instead where you live it might be more fun (I live in London).

See that's the thing...we're on the coast and it's predicted a few degrees cooler here. Would definitely be easier to not go!

OP posts:
Original poster
Royanne · 07/09/2023 10:18

Bouledeneige · 07/09/2023 10:12

Boules melt in hot weather

😂

OP posts:
Spinet · 07/09/2023 10:32

Oof just go and sit in the sea then. London'll be here a cooler day. If your daughter's upset suggest a Christmas trip instead.

Sahara123 · 07/09/2023 10:39

I think someone has already mentioned downloading the Citymapper app . Will give you all the options, directions and costs for where you want to go.

Reepicheepy · 07/09/2023 10:44

its definitely hot here but I think because it’s September and the sun is lower/rising later/setting earlier the heat seems
more bearable. Also you won’t be here at night and it’s the very hot nights that I think are most difficult.

I really hate the heat but think you will prob be fine. As others have said shops and V&A are air conned. As long as you minimise tube travel and aren’t in a rush should be good.

PinkRoses1245 · 07/09/2023 10:45

Definitely go - many people live there and they are OK...

fluffiphlox · 07/09/2023 10:48

Stick to museums. Use the newer tube lines or walk.

BatshitCrazyWoman · 07/09/2023 10:52

PinkRoses1245 · 07/09/2023 10:45

Definitely go - many people live there and they are OK...

I live and work here, and would not voluntarily come here for a 'nice' day out at over 30°!

Gettinagoldtoof · 07/09/2023 10:54

The buses are soooo hot. Underground is hot, but better. Honestly I’d walk or cycle, we actually scoot everywhere in London there’s always somewhere to lock your scooters/bikes up, bring comfy shoes. You’ll be fine.

HamSandwichKiller · 07/09/2023 10:57

Go, go, go. The V&A basically has a paddling pool in the middle (by the cafe) so assuming that's open I'd plan to get there for lunch. Cool down and mooch around the museum.

mydogisthebest · 07/09/2023 11:07

I wouldn't go because I know it would be far too hot for me and I would be miserable and grumpy.

When we were last in London in June it was 27 and I found it awful. The buses were baking hot and we had to get off one because I felt ill.

SiliconHeaven · 07/09/2023 20:50

Maybe I meant next weekend! Yes, definitely going to stay hot until Monday.
I did regret going into Hyde Park earlier, nowhere near enough shade walking through. 32° and blazing sun 🥵

Delatron · 07/09/2023 21:47

I’m going on Saturday for a birthday dinner. To be honest I’d rather not - I’d rather be in my cooler garden in the evening.

We’ll stick to the Elizabeth Line - thank goodness it has air con.

What some on here don’t understand- Saturday is forecast to be the hottest day of the year - potentially 33/34 in London. So no it’s not the same as last Sat (I was in London then - it wasn’t hot, I took a coat with me). Or the same as the ‘day in June it was 24 degrees and was fine’

It will only be ok if you can stick to the air con tubes to be honest.