It’s finally summer in the city, but this recent heatwave has been giving Londoners more than they bargained for.
As a record 35 degrees was recorded at Kew Gardens, in true British fashion, the weather has become the nation’s talking point.
The extreme heat, which is also being felt across Europe, is another indicator of changing weather patterns due to climate change, according to meteorologists.
On social media, Londoners reported sweltering on their commutes, in their homes and their workplaces, unless they’re fortunate to work somewhere air-conditioned.
But as the weather cooled down this weekend, with it came the opportunity to have some fun in the sun. I asked some Londoner’s how they’ve been beating the heat?
redit: Cleo de JongSecondary school teacher Cleo de Jong, from Wembley, has been adapting to the heatwave as best as she can.
Like many school buildings across the UK, her’s doesn’t have air conditioning units throughout the premises.
Instead they have had to improvise. “Colleagues have been incredibly supportive, allowing classroom swaps and working collaboratively in cooler office spaces,” she said.
“Being able to leave earlier to beat rush hour traffic was also a welcomed adaptation last week.”
She’s also had to adjust her home workspace, setting up monitors in her garden as it’s cooler than indoors.
When Cleo’s off the clock, her favourite thing to do in the summer is to enjoy one of London’s many ‘awesome’ parks with her family.
Her advice for others to beat the heat in the city is: “AC, chilled drinks and early finishes from work.”
Koya Harvey-Walker, a new mother, is currently on maternity leave and has been spending most of her days at home.
Koya and her husband have the extra challenge of dealing with a fussy baby in this heat. She said: “We bought an AC a few weeks ago because [the baby] couldn’t cope.”
During the last heatwave they found an unconventional solution to cool down the baby. “We ended up spending 2.5 hours in the car with the ac on,” she said.
Instead of enduring the heat this time around, Koya and her family took up the opportunity to escape the city and headed to France for their first family trip.
The trio spent time in picturesque Montreuil-sur-Mer, France with the respite of a sea breeze.
Bailey Bendix-Hickman, 27, is fortunate enough to work somewhere with air conditioning units which he describes as a ‘relief ’, but his commute is a different story.
He said: “I get the Tube into work in the mornings, and sometimes the heat there is just unbearable.
“All these sleep-deprived people crammed into an uncooled box really can be tough.”
Bailey’s coping strategy has also been about adjusting his daily routines. “I much prefer walking home from work at the moment as even though it takes longer, a slow walk outside is so much nicer than being back on the underground,” he said.
On a hot weekend, Bailey’s favourite past times are cooling off in a museum or long walks along the river.
“There’s always beautiful sights and being by the water always means there’s a bit more of a breeze than elsewhere,” he said.
Recently, Bailey had planned for his mum to join him in a walking marathon around London, starting in Bermondsey and ending in Canary Wharf, but it was curtailed by the extreme heat.
When asked what advice he had for Londoners struggling in the heat, he said: “My advice when it’s hot would be to stay out of your bedroom as much as possible so it’s as cool as can be when you try and sleep in the evening.
“Get outside and see your friends but just remember to try and take care of your health too. Eat some healthy food, drink lots of water and use buckets of SPF.”
Catherine McHugh has been enjoying the beginning of summer out in nature, being active, taking advantage of local parks and going on walks.
Herv rulebook for the summer is: “Stay as hydrated as possible, especially on public transport.”
For her, wearing breathable fabric is a must, she said: “I find it essential to be comfortable when commuting and working in the office.”
Like most Londoners she knows good weather is to be made the most of: “Enjoy it, this weather will only last a few more weeks until its cold!”
Featured image credit: Bailey Bendix-Hickman
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