When temperatures spike, it may be a shock for some guests to find there aren’t many London sights with air con – a mix of the town’s historic buildings and Britain’s erratic summer season climate means it’s not at all times important and may’t essentially be added on later.
accommodates affiliate hyperlinks*
So what do you do when there’s a heatwave in London, particularly when you’re visiting the town with youngsters and wish to flee the warmth?
I’ve picked out among the primary vacationer sights in London with air con, air cooling or locations to go the place you received’t soften whereas the heatwave lasts.
London within the warmth: must know
Keep in mind that even these locations which have air con have a tendency to not be as fiercely chilly as different international locations – I’ve wanted to place additional layers on when going indoors within the US and Asia prior to now, however probably the most you’re more likely to discover is a pleasantly cool expertise.
And whereas London’s museums and galleries at all times must maintain their treasured displays in a local weather managed atmosphere, that doesn’t at all times translate right into a managed local weather for guests – even the place there’s a cooling system, you received’t stroll in to gusts of icy chill.
A mixture of massive crowds and the Pure Historical past Museum‘s Grade I listed constructing means this specific attraction typically will get very heat inside – in case you are going, the dinosaur gallery has low mild and could be a little cooler.
The British Museum has air con in some areas however many are cooled solely by followers – and the preferred galleries can get very busy, whereas the Nice Courtroom’s fantastic glass roof doesn’t make it the good spot.
And the London Transport Museum has some massive open galleries to slot in its assortment of double decker buses and different classic transport, however there’s no air con right here both.
To discover a assured cool spot in a museum, take a look at the momentary exhibitions – a terrific tip from Museum Mum, as the federal government scheme which insures loans has strict guidelines about environmental controls so these are an ideal place to flee the warmth in London.
London sights with air con
SeaLife
The SeaLife Centre is certainly one of my prime picks for a wet day in London with youngsters, however with air con all through the aquarium, it’s additionally the right spot to shelter from the warmth.
Try my overview of go to to Sea Life London aquarium with youngsters
V&A
If you happen to’re searching for a museum in South Kensington to remain cool, the V&A ought to prime your checklist – not solely does this Grade I constructing have air con however there’s a fountain within the courtyard too.
The Postal Museum
Much less well-known than among the different London museums, the Postal Museum is much more tempting within the warmth – in addition to air con, the underground tunnels which as soon as delivered mail throughout the town are additionally pretty and funky.
Now not used to move mail, you possibly can nonetheless experience the Mail Rail practice throughout your go to (though do keep in mind that it may be hotter contained in the carriages than within the tunnels).
Museum of London
EDIT: The museum is now briefly closed till reopening in its new web site at Smithfield in 2026
The Museum of London additionally has a cooling and air con system inside, so you possibly can uncover the town’s historical past, proper from the times when hippos lived the place Trafalgar Sq. is now – and presumably welcomed the solar.
Nationwide Maritime Museum
If you happen to head all the way down to Greenwich (and a breeze on one of many river boats is a particular bonus if you can too discover a shady seat), the Nationwide Maritime Museum has air con.
The world across the large map can get heat, however with tales of Polar adventures (in addition to Tudor piracy and Pacific explorations), there’s lots to find inside when you keep cool.
Tate Trendy & Tate Britain
With thousands and thousands passing by means of the Tate Trendy’s galleries alone, air con has at all times been important to guard the artworks – with the added bonus of defending the guests from melting as properly.
Tate Britain additionally has air con and tends to be certainly one of London’s quieter galleries, so you possibly can dodge overheated crowds as properly.
Nationwide Gallery
The Nationwide Gallery has boasted some air con since 1949 to guard its work, in addition to more moderen air con added and improved throughout lockdown closures to maintain everybody cooler.
Just like the Tate and Museum of London, there’s the added bonus that entry is free.
Madame Tussauds
If you happen to’ve received an attraction filled with wax works, you possibly can’t take the danger of all of them melting when the temperature rises so fortunately Madame Tussauds does have air con.
Equally understandably, the waxworks don’t do properly with extremes of warmth or chilly, so the system tries to maintain the temperature pretty fixed, which suggests it should by no means find yourself being freezing inside.
London Eye
The London Eye’s capsules are all air conditioned – however keep in mind that the glass pods are principally mini greenhouses, so on a searingly sizzling day, you possibly can nonetheless anticipate it to get heat inside.
Except you have got quick observe tickets, you’ll even be ready within the queue to board to your time slot as properly.
London theatres with air con
Lots of the West Finish’s theatres are too outdated, protected or fragile to have full air con: the air cooling programs are sometimes impressively environment friendly although, at theatres such because the Apollo.
Nonetheless, some do have correct air con together with the Adelphi Theatre (Again to the Future Musical), the Victoria Palace Theatre (Hamilton), the Vaudeville Theatre (Six), in addition to the Criterion.
The Lyceum (for The Lion King), Apollo Victoria (for Depraved), Cambridge Theatre (for Matilda), Prince Edward Theatre, The Lyric (The Smeds and the Smoos), the Theatre Royal Haymarket (for The Tiger Who Got here To Tea), the Palladium and the Garrick all have air cooling.
If you happen to’re planning to observe Hercules on the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, there’s no aircon, so that you’ll must depend on chills from the drama to maintain you cool.
Try TodayTix when you’re searching for low-cost theatre tickets and last-minute reductions
Vacationer sights in London with cooling programs
Tower Bridge
There’s no air con inside London’s well-known bridge, however Tower Bridge does have ceiling followers contained in the high-level walkways to chill guests down.
And searching down by means of the glass ground may ship a shiver down your backbone.
Science Museum
The temperature within the Science Museum varies relying which space you’re visiting, however there’s a cooling system in Wonderlab, which makes it a very great spot to flee the warmth.
However the basement rooms, together with the Backyard – a favorite of youthful youngsters – do are inclined to get fairly heat.
Shrek’s Journey
In case your youngsters are trying ahead to visiting Far Far Away, the excellent news is that a lot of the Shrek’s Journey attraction has cooling programs to cease you overheating.
The Magic Bus additionally consists of water sprays and blasts of air. Beautiful.
Different issues to do when it’s sizzling in London
If you happen to’re trying to escape the warmth in London with youngsters, it’s not simply air conditioned sights which might help maintain you cool.
Discover the dancing fountains & splash pads
Splash pads, dancing fountains, no matter identify you give them, they’re unbeatable when it’s sizzling in London with youngsters.
Simply behind King’s Cross, the fountains at Granary Sq. are made up of 1,080 choreographed jets – every individually managed – which squirt in patterns for youths to splash in.
Or on the South Financial institution, the Showing Rooms interactive sculpture on the Southbank Centre is a enjoyable various, with jets of water creating ‘rooms’ earlier than they vanish. It’s value understanding that children want tops on to splash right here.
Additional alongside the river, you’ll discover the Extra London fountains close to Tower Bridge, whereas there’s typically one other set within the courtyard of Somerset Home on the alternative financial institution (solely switched on on choose dates, relying on occasions and climate). You can even discover extra fountains at Leicester Sq..
And if splashing alone isn’t sufficient, Ravenscourt Park in west London has a paddling pool, which reopened in Could half-term. Free to make use of, however it’s good to prebook a timed slot as numbers are restricted.
**If Thames Water brings in a hosepipe ban or different restrictions, fountains will usually be switched off or be on for extra restricted instances – at all times examine earlier than you go to**
Go to the parks
Regardless of being one of many greatest cities on the planet, London additionally scores properly in terms of inexperienced house, with a collection of pretty parks – Hyde Park has some nice shady spots in addition to the Diana Memorial fountain to dip your ft in.
Regent’s Park is one other nice various, or watch the pelicans at St James’s Park. However many of the royal parks may have a couple of patches of shade to hang around when it’s sizzling.
If you happen to’re blissful to enterprise out of central London, Kew Gardens and the London Wetlands Centre close to Barnes are additionally nice choices to flee – there’s water play within the Wetlands Centre playground too
Head up excessive
The upper you go, the extra likelihood of discovering an elusive breeze – the Sky Backyard has shady areas and is certainly one of my favorite viewpoints in London. The design of the constructing means the within space is ventilated though it’s extra more likely to really feel heat when it’s busy.
Stroll by the water
There are miles and miles of Thames path to discover – and whereas I’m not suggesting an extended stroll throughout a heatwave, you could find a breeze off the water as you sit on the banks. The Southbank is at all times top-of-the-line choices.
Or head to the canals – Little Venice is one other pretty spot, whereas the Grand Union Canal close to Paddington is lined with cafes.
If you happen to’d slightly be on the water, take a look at my suggestions for the very best boat excursions in London with youngsters in addition to locations to kayak with youngsters
Go for a swim
Though you’ll must journey out of central London (until you’re staying in a lodge with a pool), there are lidos across the metropolis the place you possibly can have a dip.
Or head west to benefit from the seashore at Ruislip Lido – there’s a splash pad right here too, though you possibly can’t truly swim within the reservoir. Unsurprisingly it’s a preferred spot on a sunny day.
Brockwell Lido
Discovered within the south London neighbourhood of Herne Hill, Brockwell Lido is a 50-metre unheated swimming pool that’s open year-round. The out of doors swimming pool is family-friendly always, with lowered costs for youngsters. However households with toddlers and kids beneath 7 might really feel extra snug on the designated household swim classes between 10:30am and 11:30am most weekends and holidays.
The lido is extraordinarily common, particularly throughout the hotter summer season months, so swim classes are booked in 50 minute slots. It’s strongly suggested to e book prematurely to keep away from disappointment.
Charlton Lido
Charlton Lido’s Olympic-sized heated out of doors pool is the right place to chill off, even throughout a heatwave – the pool is stored at a pleasing temperature of 22-28C all year long so that you needn’t depend on an extended stretch of solar to heat it up.
Owned by Higher Health club, the pool is on the market to make use of by health club members and non-members. However when you’re not a member, you’ll need to e book prematurely.
Kids are welcome throughout the “Swim For All Classes” which run a minimum of as soon as a day (and extra recurrently throughout college holidays). Little ones may benefit from the “Toddler Splash Classes” within the small educating pool on sure days all through the week.
Extra out of doors swimming pools/lidos in London
Finchley Lido Leisure Centre – the out of doors pool opens from round mid-Could all through the summer season months (although climate dependent so do doublecheck). There’s additionally an indoor enjoyable leisure pool at Finchley Lido that features a wave machine, jets, and different enjoyable options.
London Fields Lido – this 50m lengthy heated out of doors pool is stored round 25C all 12 months spherical. You’ll discover each lane swimming in addition to free swim areas at London Fields Lido for youthful youngsters.
Parliament Hill Lido – this non-heated out of doors pool is open year-round and one of many greatest lidos in London at 60 metres by 28 metres. Youngsters can attend Open Swimming Classes at Parliament Hill Lido throughout the daytime.
Oasis Sports activities Centre, Tottenham Courtroom Street – central London’s solely heated, out of doors pool, this sits on a solar terrace above road degree. Youngsters can attend Swim For All Classes at Oasis Sports activities Centre however beneath 8s and non-swimmers aged 11-17 should be accompanied within the water by a reliable grownup swimmer.
Hampstead Heath Swimming Ponds – no kids beneath 8 are permitted to swim at Hampstead Heath Swimming Ponds but it surely’s an choice for older youngsters. Nonetheless, all under-16s should attend with an accompanying grownup who shall be within the water with them and likewise must cross a swimming check!
Tooting Bec Lido – newly reopened after refurbishment, Tooting Bec Lido is the most important open-air freshwater pool within the UK.
Go to the Tower of London
There may be – unsurprisingly – no air con within the Tower, however as anybody who’s visited a citadel in winter is aware of, thick stone partitions make for cold interiors.
So within the peak of summer season, venturing into the outdated royal flats might be blissfully cool. The world with the Crown Jewels can be local weather managed to guard them.
Head inside a cathedral
In the identical means, the centuries-old stone partitions of each Westminster Abbey and St Paul’s cathedral maintain the inside superbly cool on sizzling days.
Seize an ice cream
There are some improbable locations to show cooling down into an artwork kind – for the very best ice cream in London, there are a couple of mouth-watering concepts among the many greatest desserts in London.
Getting round London within the warmth
If you happen to’re planning a bus tour, Large Bus Excursions might have air-conditioned areas on its buses, though it varies from bus to bus so the corporate can’t assure it.
These are typically decrease deck solely (until you’re on a bus with an enclosed higher space). Taking into consideration that many of the prime deck is generally open to the weather (and likewise the place you’ll get the very best views), you’ll must depend on pure air cooling…
Tootbus doesn’t have air con on its buses.
For extra recommendations on London’s greatest bus excursions with youngsters, take a look at this publish
On the tube, the Central line is formally the most popular line, whereas the brand new Elizabeth Line has air con and is genuinely cool. In any other case, the strains which keep nearer the floor – particularly the Overground, Metropolitan, Hammersmith & Metropolis and Circle – are typically cooler than the deep strains just like the Piccadilly and Northern line.
If you happen to’d slightly journey by water, the Uber Boat by Thames Clippers service has air conditioned interiors in addition to an open part on the deck to catch a breeze.
Disclosure: This publish accommodates affiliate hyperlinks – any purchases you make are unaffected however I could obtain a small fee
Pure Historical past Museum/Tower Bridge/lady in goggles/London Underground signal courtesy of Depositphotos, all different pictures copyright MummyTravels
LIKED THIS? SIGN UP FOR MY EMAIL NEWSLETTER