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Cool spaces for hot days

Cool spaces for hot days
The Museum of Natural History: cool temperature, cool exhibits. Photo by Roger Close.

We’re in to our second heatwave this year, and it's only June.

With predicted summer heat becoming more frequent and severe, residents and tourists may find that there’s a need for accessible, reliable cool spaces. Prolonged exposure to high temperatures can be risky, particularly for older people, young children, those with chronic illness, and rough sleepers.

Some towns and cities, including Bristol and London, are beginning to map local cool spaces – those that are naturally cooler, or have air conditioning. Cool spaces that are free to use often include community hubs, libraries, and parks (especially those with lots of shade or water features). For ‘pay to play’, shops, cafes, and some sports facilities can also be a good bet.

By the grace of stone buildings

Luckily for Oxford, we’re flush with naturally cool, stone buildings. In particular, we have an ample supply of colleges and churches. The thick stone walls keep these buildings at a fairly stable temperature, and definitely cooler than the outdoors on a hot day, which can be a blessing.

Churches and college chapels are often cool. Photo by Roger Close.

Whilst some colleges are open to the public and easy to access, others may not always be available. However, the Diocese of Oxford has published guidance encouraging parishes to establish dedicated, free-to-use cool spaces. 

They are encouraged to provide a warm welcome, reliable toilet facilities, access to fresh tap water, and an internal temperature at or below 25°C. Depending on local capacity and parish budgets, some churches might consider offering workspaces equipped with tables, power sockets, and reliable wifi. Guests are expected to be respectful and kind to each other and to staff/volunteers of the church. You might also consider donating to their work, if you’re in a position to do so.

Air-conditioned alternatives

If churches/colleges don’t work for you, there are also non-denominational cool space options. Here are a few places to cool down in Oxford(shire):

Oxford University Museum of Natural History and Ashmolean (Roger Close)

  • The Ashmolean, Pitt Rivers, Natural History: Museum buildings are kept cool because of the art and artefacts, and because they’re also old and spacious. However, they are often closed in the evenings.
The Norrington Room at Blackwell’s (Roger Close)
  • Westgate library and the Social: The library is kept cool, and is, you know, full of books. Social Street Food is in the basement, so it’s a pretty comfortable temperature. Plus, there are loos. Special mention to the Norrington Room at Blackwell's which is, of course, underground. There are worse places to wait out a heatwave.
Hot coffee, cool room. Photo by Roger Close.
  • Cafes and dessert places: Temperature-controlled eateries are all over town. Check out NewGround coffee on Ship Street, the M&S café on Queen Street, or Swoon Gelato. They all have aircon and you can sit there for a while.
  • Supermarkets: You don’t even have to buy anything, you can just stand in the frozen goods aisle and un-melt.

Further reading