Where to escape the heat in South Bank

There’s no two ways about it, London can get hot in the summer! However, you don’t need to let a heatwave throw a spanner into your sightseeing plans in South Bank.

From cooling off in culture to taking a dunk in the fountains and getting competitive indoors with the aircon firmly on, here’s your guide to keeping cool on a summer's day in South Bank.

Cool Off in Culture

When the mercury starts rising join savvy Londoners in heading indoors to cool off in the powerful aircon of the city’s top cultural institutions.

National Theatre and the BFI Southbank have both been designated official ‘cool off in culture’ venues where you can head inside and take refuge from the heat while watching a film or play, or simply enjoying the free exhibits and comfy sofas in the expansive, air-conditioned lobbies.

The Hayward Gallery at Southbank Centre is one of the UK’s finest contemporary art galleries. This Brutalist landmark building is also amongst the most finely climate-controlled venues you can find in South Bank. The perfect diversion to plan your afternoon around on a particularly hot day!

Anis Kapoor at the Hayward Gallery

Get soaked in Southbank Centre’s fountains

Southbank Centre’s watery installations have long been a popular feature of London summers.

From Wednesday to Sunday get soaked in Jeppe Hein’s constantly moving Appearing Rooms fountain on the Riverside Terrace or duck your head under the sculptural Thinking Fountains next to the Hayward Gallery.

Jeppe Hein's Appearing Rooms fountains at Southbank Centre

Bask in the shade in the gardens

Our riverside location and abundant trees mean that many parts of South Bank are relatively much cooler than other areas of central London, even during the biggest heatwaves.

If you’re looking for shade and a nice patch of grass to sit and enjoy your lunch, visit the beautiful Jubilee Gardens behind the London Eye or Bernie Spain Gardens next to the Oxo Tower

Jubilee Gardens, South Bank

Head underground on Leake Street

Among the coolest (in both senses of the word) places in South Bank, the Leake Street graffiti tunnel beneath Waterloo Station is an ideal place to escape the heat of the sun.

Watch local graffiti artists at work in the tunnel, and then head inside for board games and bar sports in the comfort of the air-con at popular Leake Street bars Draughts and Passyunk Avenue.