05/27/2026
London is in the middle of the first heatwave of the year. London heat hits differently and it's hard to describe why.
But, if you've experienced it first-hand, you know what I mean. You just don't have anywhere to get cool.
You can't dash into a grocery store and expect the iciness to hit you in the face. It's not there. You can't pop into Marks and Spencer and expect it either. You'll probably want to leave immediately because you can hardly breathe. The theatres aren't much of a respite either. Some offer "climate control" which means "we turned on a whole building fan to push the hot air around". Even museums will be stuffy with giant fans moving the heat, humidity and stink around.
You want your hotel room to BE COOL.
And, what's really weird is how many people make their whole personality out of convincing visitors that they never need air conditioning. But, I would bet money that those same people have been lodging the loudest complaints this week about the heat. It's not as simple as opening windows in the city. There is no cross-breeze and no relief from the giant concrete and stone heat box.
And, prayers for the people dying on the Central Line.
