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

[Royanne]

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?

Nope! I live in London and not a chance I would go mooching around in this heat. The humidity in London now is insane. Even my family who live in a hot climate cannot bear the London heat.

OP if you come to london for the day can I swap with you and come and sit in your house by the coast…? 😬

Honestly it’s awful here, at least as far as I’m concerned. My South African neighbours are loving it but I feel as if I’m (literally) in hell. As a pp has said it’s the humidity. It’s horrific. Am awake at 1.30am in stifling small terrace three floors up, there is NO AIR and I’m wondering how I’m going to manage three more days and nights of it!

I am possibly THE most heat-intolerant person on the planet, I should say…

But in your shoes, I would stay home and come another time. London isn’t going anywhere! Well, until climate change gets us, that is. 🤐

(Ps your plan sounds lovely, especially the V&A. It’ll be even nicer in December! 🙃)

I was out and about again yesterday. There are some wonderful shaded parts in the parks. It’s really not that bad.

139 bus from Lords Cricket ground to direct Regent Street...

Yes, of course.

It shouldn't affect your trip OP, but annoyingly for some the Piccadilly Line is shut between Kings Cross and Cockfosters this weekend.

There's no way I'd voluntarily travel several hours to traipse around London in thirty degree heat.

i would, i imagine plenty of places will have air conditioning

Do most of your active stuff/travelling in the morning. It’s very pleasant outside now, with that lovely morning chill before the intense heat later. As others have said, some of the tubes are much cooler than the others. If you have to stand on a hot tube try to stand in the middle of the carriage, and on one of the non-end carriages so there is air flow. Consider a handheld fan with a water spray too.
Make a beeline for an M&S simply food - they are always freezing.
There are lots of shady spots and the shops will be cool. Just try not to rush about too much and do too much, I love London in the summer if it’s for leisure, it’s just commuting that’s another matter.

I'm still going, just found out no trains through Wimbledon due to engineering works...so ds will have a much longer journey into London to meet me.
Hey ho.

Thanks all.

I've decided not to go. I think it would just be too hot and would make the day feel too long and difficult.

We're going to go in half term instead which hopefully will be normal weather and more enjoyable!

Thanks to whoever recommended the Citymapper app though - I've had a play on it and it'll be really useful in the future.

Wouldn't bother me in the slightest. I do a lot of sightseeing on my summer holidays, didn't think twice about popping into Heraklion when the temp was in the 40's for example.

I'm the type that's more likely to cancel plans if it's too chilly mind you.

@Royanne
Don't blame you at all. You'll spend all day trying to avoid the heat instead of just enjoying everything.
Spend the day with your feet in the paddling pool instead 😂

For fellow non heat loving commuters, I have one of these little fellows and it is amazing

JISULIFE Handheld Fan, 3 IN 1 Mini Hand Fan, Portable USB Rechargeable Small Pocket Fan, Battery Operated Fan [14-21 Working Hours] with Power Bank, Flashlight Feature for Women,Travel-White https://amzn.eu/d/dcJjJQC

Screenshot

Uber boats are brill

Elizabeth line and district line have air con incase you do come and could travel using those lines only… I would deffo take mini fans for any other tube, it is not pleasant at all otherwise

London feels even hotter with all the people and buildings but department stores will be cool, you could shop and lunch there and maybe Uber to the V&A which should be cool too.

Bus instead of tube. They have aircon now or at least windows!

It’s fairly easy to keep cool but one thing I would say is avoid routemaster buses or if you do use them use for short journeys. 7th circle of hell on these.

Not routemasters!

Elizabeth line also fully AC, plus mostly deep cool airy stations……..

I was in London a few days ago. All forms of public transport are inhumane in this weather.

I find London complete sensory overload, and only do it for very special occasions.

I'm envisioning 6million people heading to the v&a paddling pool

I think you’ve made the right choice OP! Normally my office is empty on a Friday but loads of people have come in just to benefit from the air conditioning. DH, a cinema hater, has suggested that we go to the (air conditioned) cinema at the weekend or failing that we just walk around the supermarket chilled aisles all day 😅