Ideal locations to sit back in heatwave from wheelie bin stuffed with ice to UK’s coldest cave
Brits are being told to brace for more heatwaves in the coming months as the Met Office has forecast a scorching summer. The chance of a hot summer is higher than normal after a record-breaking heatwave, which saw temperatures climb to 35.1C last month.
Drier conditions and warm weather is set to return to the UK – and in particular southern areas. From Thursday June 18, the Met Office says summer will return, before a heatwave could come again from the start of July.
And like a good sun cream, your Daily Star has got you covered when it comes to staying safe in the sun. Here, we run down some of the best ways to cool off as Britain bakes.
A nice ice bath
Ice baths are all the rage with influencers in recent years. You can’t scroll through Instagram without someone else stripping off to their grundies to start the day with a cold dip. And the are becoming more common as a wellness therapy.
But while they’re annoying, they might be on to something in the heat. They’re a sure fire way to cool off as the mercury rises. And if you can’t be bothered buying out, simply fill your wheelie bin with Ice and cold water and jump in. Does the same job.
Indoor ski slopes
Places like Snozone in Castleford, West Yorks., and Milton Keynes or the Snow Centre near Manchester’s Trafford Centre could be the idea spot to cool down. However, they might be a touch too cold as temperatures there are set a -3.
Get down with it
Britain is blessed with beauty spots that allow visitors to go underground in some of our breathtaking caves. And their ideal for shade, comfort and cooling off as the average temperature is between 7 and 9C.
Chislehurst Caves in London, a vast labyrinth of man-made chalk tunnels, spans 22 miles and is known for its damp, consistently chilly air. It is so cold it frequently asks visitors to wear jumpers and sturdy footwear even on the hottest summer days.
However, Stump Cross Caverns in the Yorkshire Dales maintains a brisk and steady air temperature of 7C which might be the sweet spot. Get yourself an ice cream while you’re there and you’ve nailed it.
Book smart
Londoners have been advised to check out a map of the city which shows where they can take shelter from the sun and cool down in air-conditioned buildings. They include the British Library, which has free drinking water.
Other libraries in London also feature on the map. And while there is no national version, Brits can check their local library to see if it is air-conditioned for some free respite from the heat.
