What To Do In London To Keep Cool During The Heatwave
With London sweltering in +30 degree temperatures, and with no sign of the weather cooling down over the weekend, we’ve put our rather hot heads together to bring you some of the coolest places to head to during the heatwave.
Read on to find out the best heatwave hacks the city has to offer.
Have Fun In The Water Labyrinth at Olympic Park
The Water Labyrinth, in the South Plaza of Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, is a winding ribbon of fountains with choreographed water jets that spring from the paving, daring children to dash through them. It features 195 jets in total. The fountains are choreographed in different sequences and heights, which makes for tremendous fun dodging and running through them as they unexpectedly erupt from a hidden water source below.
Catch a film alfresco style
In weather like this, the last place we want to be is inside at home. Luckily for us Londoners however, the capital has some of the best outdoor cinema experiences in the country, so why not pack an ice cold beverage, pull up a seat and catch your favourite movie under the stars this weekend. We love Adventure Cinema thanks to their wide range of screenings, from family-friendly adventures to cult classics, Backyard Cinema at Capital Studios, in Wandsworth, Openaire Cinema in Merchant Sq, Rooftop Film Club in the Bussey Building South East London, ‘Sunset Screening Sessions’ in Beckenham Place Park, `Everyman Cinema and Luna Cinema, with screenings in various locations across London.
Indulge at the Little Moon PICK ’N’ MIX pop ups
Our current obsession with these gelato ice cream-filled, rice flour dough balls means we simply have to include them in our list. Head over to their Pick n Mix Pop Ups in Westfield or Selfridges for a Saturday afternoon treat and indulge in the very cold, deliciously sweet, soft and chewy bites of heaven, with flavours that include Black Espresso, Strawberries and Cream, Yuzu Lemon, and Italian Hazelnut.
Fun fact; the Little Moons mochi bar at Selfridges was actually where the original Little Moon TikTok craze started. Here you can mix it up with flavours such as mango, cookies and cream and coconut mochi, then either fill up a tub to takeaway or choose to eat in.
To help you keep your mochi cool in the heat, Little Moons have also introduced Little Chilly's Tubs which keep your mochi nice and cold for +2 hours. These reusable tubs are the summers hottest (coldest) accessory and perfect for a picnic.
As an added sweetener, both shopping destinations will be air conditioned, which, when the streets of London are in meltdown, is a win-win situation!
Throw a cold brew tea party
Whittard of Chelsea announced the launch of its first-ever Cold Brew Tea Range in June - just in time for the hot weather to hit London. The fruit flavoured teas are caffeine-free and promise to tantalise taste buds with refreshing, all-natural flavours including Passionfruit, Mango & Peach, Watermelon, Strawberry & Lime, Blackcurrant and Blueberry, Passionfruit, and Pink Grapefruit. Specially formulated for infusing quickly in cold water, the teas have been chosen to enjoy cold this summer.
The London Living team joined a Cold Brew Tea Party this week and can confirm that this chilly beverage is perfect for keeping you cool during the heatwave. With stores in Covent Garden and Regent Street, we highly recommend you pop in and pick up a box or two, along with a specially made cold brew Tea Infuser Bottle
Make a splash at Tooting Bec Lido
This South London lido is not only one of the city’s oldest open-air pools, having first opened to the public in 1906, but it is also the biggest swimming pool by surface area in the UK, measuring a whopping 91m by 30m. If you visit the lido and find yourself wondering why it looks a little familiar, you’ve probably seen it before. Because of the changing cubicles alternating red, yellow, and green doors, the lido is a popular location for promotional filming, and was featured in Guy Ritchie’s Snatch. Although we can’t guarantee you’ll be sharing the exact water that Brad Bitt bathed in, we can promise you a very cooling dip. We put money on this pool being pretty popular this weekend, so get booking!
Catch an alfresco performance at Shakespeare’s Globe
Theatre season is upon us, but rather than getting hot and sticky in a theatre hall, we suggest you book in for alfresco theatre instead. For the ultimate Shakespearean experience, look to the iconic Shakespeare’s Globe and their summer carousel of theatre productions. Set in the reconstruction of the Elizabethan playhouse where Shakespeare wrote his plays, they offer alfresco performances year-round. This summer sees the return of the beloved Much Ado About Nothing, the witty comedy that’s packed with themes of love, pranks and mischievous plots.
Party at Fulham Beach Club
If you are dreaming of being on the beach but don’t have time to get out of the city this weekend, then we have the perfect solution. Fulham Beach Club transports guests to a beach paradise, on a tropical island's distant shores, with its stylish and unique venue, that caters for the weather by offering both indoor and outdoor areas. You can enjoy lounging on sofas with a group of friends, book your own beach hut, or reserve your exclusive sofa on our veranda with a choice of delicious street food, cocktails at the beach bar or just chill to music from their resident DJ. It’s the most authentic beach beach club vibe you’ll find , without actually going to a club. What’s more they’ve teamed up with Häagen-Dazs to create the ultimate escape in the heart of London this summer. Get ready for twisted Ice Cream cocktails and even a super-sized glitter ice cream scoop seesaw!
Move To The Music at MMy
If you are in need of a night out this weekend, but don’t fancy getting your sweat on inside a busy nightclub or bar, we highly recommend the brand new music nights at MMy Elephant Park.
Mercato Metropolitano is a sustainable and inclusive community market with an Italian soul. It’s cool and airy, and perfect for food, wine & music lovers to meet, talk, relax, shop and eat - as well as move!
You can find them at: 42 Newington Causeway, London SE1 6DR
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