With a Red Warning in effect for heat this week, it would be good to highlight those local spaces where those who need it, especially the older and more vulnerable residents, but also those in flats that don’t have adequate ventilation, can escape to.
The Mayor of London has published a map of Cool Spaces for the whole of London, including water fountains.
https://www.london.gov.uk/programmes-strategies/environment-and-climate-change/climate-change/climate-adaptation/cool-spaces
Sadly, there are not a lot of spaces listed in our area, so I wondered if anyone could add some ideas to this topic so others might find respite.
Off the top of my head I would add the Library as a potential space, simply because it is a large building with high ceilings and hopefully able to cope better, but I’m not certain.
I have seen a suggestion elsewhere, for those more able-bodied (maybe those with kids), that near the tunnel in Sydenham Woods is a good place, with lower ambient temperatures and also all the tree cover.
Edit: I’ve just seen that the libraries are suffering too, and Crofton Park library has had to close. Forest Hill Library is still open, but may not be such a cool space after all
Lewisham council are recommending people go to Hither Green Crematorium - which seems a bit of a harsh way to deal with people trying to escape the heat, but apparently thick walls and high ceilings keeps it cool.
I recommend wandering round Sainsburys for a while - always the coolest place in Forest Hill.
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ha ha ha … that’s cruel (irony)
The Costa cafe at Next in Bell Green is a/c.Waitrose in Beckenham is arctic.
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If you have to go out, the electric 185 buses are air-conditioned along with the Southern and Windrush line trains, Thameslink trains from Crofton Park also have air con and the Elizabeth line also has air con.
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I used to go for meetings in Forest Hill Library and in the summer it was boiling.
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In all weathers the place to be seen.
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Not exactly in the area, but there’s nowhere cooler in London than Streatham Ice Rink 
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It’s cold but is it cool?
I spent much of the hot summer of 2020 during the lockdowns in Dulwich woods and its still something of a go to in really hot weather..only issue is there are few places to actually sit.
Horniman museum? and if you fancy killing two birds with one stone I’ve found the gym lovely and cool.
out of the area but Waitrose in Beckenham is always positively arctic
But it’s closed for a couple of days because the heat is causing too much condensation, which freezes into trip hazards on the ice!
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Yes, unfortunately. from what I heard the other day from a guy who runs some of the ice hockey teams there, only one of their three dehumidifiers is working.
I just spoke to my son. who has the skate shop there, and he says that there doesn’t seem to be any improvement in the condensation so. presumably, nothing’s been fixed yet. (Luckily for him, his shop remains open whilst the rink is closed and most of his clientelle come from all over the country to be specially fitted, so he’s not totally reliant upon Streatham skaters).
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Sainsbury’s in Forest Hill have brought the blinds down on the chillers, but you’re allowed to lift them to still buy produce.
The street cleaner in the town centre is still working despite the high temperatures. Across the border in Dulwich, Southwark sent home their street cleaners at lunchtime.
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shout-out to our street cleaner!
he does a great job and ive seen him out in all weathers.
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