If you haven’t been to Kew Gardens, grab the chance while the weather’s warm (Picture: PA)

We finally seem to be getting a taste of summer as a heatwave blasts across the UK.

Britons could experience the hottest day of 2023 as its predicted temperatures could peak at 32C, with amber weather warnings issued by the Met Office.

It makes a drastic change from the wet and dreary weather we experienced in July and August with temperatures barely breaking 20C and an unprecedented amount of rainfall.

As the mercury rises, many of us will be looking for ways to keep cool as well as have fun in London.

There is no shortage of fun things to do in the capital, with plenty to help you stave off heat exhaustion and heat strokes while still getting out and about.

Looking for the perfect activity in London during a heatwave? We have 12 suggestions for you to choose from.

Splash in the fountains at Granary Square

Cool down in one of more than a thousand individual jets at Granary Square (Picture: Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

One of the most popular attractions in King’s Cross is arguably the fountains at Granary Square, perfect to cool down on a hot summer’s day.

There are a whopping 1,080 jets all individually lit and controlled to offer endless hours of fun for the whole family, as well as some wet and wild photo opportunities.

As the sun goes down, the fountain provides its very own light show for visitors to enjoy, while they grab a bite to eat and a drink at one of the many eateries in the area.

Take a dip in Canary Wharf

Did you know you can enjoy open-air swimming in the middle of Central London? (Picture: Mike Kemp/In Pictures via Getty Images)

There are plenty of places in the capital you can take a dip, one of which happens to be in Central London.

Canary Wharf’s Middle Dock offers open-air swimming in partnership with Love Open Water and supported by NOWCA.

Perfect for those over the age of 10, each session is lifeguarded and costs £8.50 per swim with all new swimmers needing to purchase a NOWCA membership for £15 per year.

Additionally, you can enjoy a refreshing swim at Hampstead Heath Ponds or the West Reservoir Centre in Hackney. Booking in advance is advised for both spots.

Head back in time at London Fields Lido

London Fields will take you back in time with its public lido (Picture: Alex Segre/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

Another place you can head for a swim is a slightly retro one.

London Fields has its very own lido open for public swimming as well as lessons in the 50-metre Olympic size, heated outdoor swimming pool.

There is also a cafe open for refreshments as well as a large sundeck and sunbathing area for you to lay back and catch some rays.

Prices start from £1.50 for children aged between 3 to 15, and £4.05 for adults with pay-as-you-go membership and one-off costs available.

Go to the beach…Sort of

Sun, sea, and sand can all be found in London (Picture: Justin Tallis/AFP via Getty Images)

When you think of lidos your mind may not always jump to London, but the city offers urban beaches aplenty for you to enjoy.

Fulham Beach Club at Neverland London is perfect for a lazy day in the sun with bubbles, cabanas, sofas, and beach huts all available to book while you enjoy a cocktail on the sands.

Ruislip Lido, which you can find near the picturesque Ruislip Woods, does not offer swimming but you can still lounge on the sands.

The woodland centre offers nature walks in the woods, family walks and craft sessions and there is also Ruislip Railway you can board to take in more sights.

Lounge in Hyde Park

LONDON, ENGLAND – JUNE 24: A mother and son walk by the Serpentine in Hyde Park on a hot summer’s day on June 24, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Jo Hale/Getty Images)

Get in touch with nature and take a stroll through Hyde Park while the sun shines.

The 350-acre, historic Grade I-listed urban park is the largest of the Royal Parks and boasts plenty of things for you to do.

Take a walk to the Serpentine which boasts panoramic lake-side paths, waterfront cafes and wildlife for you to keep your eyes out for – you can even hire a pedalo to further explore.

Relax at K West Spa, Shepherd’s Bush

A spa day is always welcome whatever the weather, but K West Hotel and Spa offers the perfect hidden gem as temperatures soar.

Aside from its sauna, sanarium, steam room, foot baths and hydrotherapy, the K West Spa is home to London’s first ‘Snow Paradise’, a room filled with snow and kept chilly for the ultimate winter break.

Spa day packages start from £90 with a number of treatments available.

Enjoy a film at an open-air cinema

Take in a movie in the sun (Picture: Vuk Valcic/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

Open-air cinema is common across London and great if you don’t want to sit inside a dark theatre when the sun is shining.

Rooftop Cinema, with locations in Peckham and Stratford, offers panoramic views from a sky-high location as you take in everything from musicals to action-packed blockbusters.

Luna Cinema has a whopping 13 locations across London from Regent’s Park to Kew Gardens, and has shown huge titles such as Paddington, Grease, and the Oscar-winning Banshees of Inisherin.

Indulge in Chinatown’s array of ice cream parlours

Don’t miss out on an ice-cream treat (Picture: Getty Images)

If it’s ice-cream you’re after you’ll be spoiled for choice in Chinatown, with all manner of inventive variations on your standard cone and some imaginative flavours to boot.

Check out Taiyakiya, for example, which dishes up such flavours as vanilla, dark chocolate, lychee rose and matcha in its distinctive fish-shaped waffle cones (you can also get them with savoury fillings if ice-cream’s not your thing.

Or hop on over to Mamasons Dirty Ice Cream, London’s first Filipino ice-cream parlour, known for its Ube Bilog – a milk bun filled with ube (purple yam) ice-cream.

Rent a boat for the day

Take a trip in a hot tub boat (Picture: Getty Images)

If you fancy taking advantage of the hot weather to check out the capital’s waterways, you’ll be spoiled for choice.

Skuna offer two experiences – you can either rent a boat with an onboard BBQ or an on-board hot tub – to enjoy while cruising round Canary Wharf or Lakeside in Essex

Alternatively, take a jaunt along the Thames with an Uber Boat, or rent yourself a GoBoat, grab some friends and enjoy a trip down the Regent’s Canal towards Camden Lock

Skuna and also mention Uber boat and hot tub boat

Catch an open-air theatre show in Regent’s Park

Regent’s Park open air theatre is still ongoing (Picture: Getty Images)

If you’re not so keen on being at an indoor theatre during the hot spell, you don’t have to miss out on seeing a show completely – as it’s the perfect weather to take in a performance at the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre.

Currently on at the famous outdoor venue is La Cage Aux Folles, the classic stage musical later made into the hit movie The Birdcage, starring Robin Williams and Nathan Lane.

With classic songs including The Best Of Times and I Am What I Am, and tickets costing just £15 for much of September, it’s a great way to enjoy the last of the summer

Book a trip to Kew Gardens

Kew Gardens offers much to enjoy all year round (Picture: Getty Images)

If you’re looking to spend time outdoors in the hot weather you might want to consider one of London’s many parks or gardens – and you’ll find plenty to enjoy at Kew, one of its most visually stunning.

A UNESCO World Heritage site, it houses over 50,000 living plants – including some rare and threatened species in the Victorian greenhouse – while the Rhododendron Dell and the Great Broad Walk Borders, with its colourful display of blooms, are also must-visits.

Other highlights include summer tours which are happening daily until September 30, and Sound Baths in Nature, running through until mid-October.

Hit the ice at Alexandra Palace

Ice-skating might seem more like a Christmas activity, but if you’re looking to cool off hitting the rink is a great way to do so.

One place that offers skating all year round is Alexandra Palace in north London, which offers sessions for all ages as well as skating lessons – although you do have to book in advance.

Standard tickets are £9.50, under-16s are £8,50, concession tickets are £8 and it’s £6.50 for under-fives – with sessions lasting either 90 minutes or two hours depending on the day and the time.

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There’s plenty of places to enjoy some fun in the sun in London.