How Brummies can keep cool in the August heatwave

A guide to Birmingham’s shaded parks, water features, and indoor escapes as the city faces an August heatwave with Amber alerts in force.

Transcript

00:00with temperatures pushing into the mid-30s Birmingham is facing more than just a few

00:09sweaty commutes high heat means higher risks especially for older people young children and

00:15anyone working outdoors but it doesn't mean you're trapped indoors with the curtains drawn

00:20public health officials are urging people to avoid direct Sun during the middle of the day

00:26and to use shaded spices where possible Birmingham has more of those than many realoys and they're free

00:32Sutton Park one of Europe's largest urban parks has miles of woody trials that's down notice

00:38hubby cooler than on the streets the licky hills offer breezy high points and a dense tree cover

00:44no barbecues allowed but plenty of spice to stop and cool down Victoria Square's fountain the floozy

00:52in the jacuzzi is flowing again though it's for looking not paddling the nearby jets in Centenary

00:58Square remind switched off for maintenance so don't bank on them east side city parks water rill and

01:05jets are in better shape and there's shaded seating along its length for those who'd rather be on the

01:11water than next to it Cannon Hill Park's swan pedalos are operating pair that with the Mac next door an

01:18heart centre with air-conditioned galleries and a cafe and you've got a full day's relief from the heat

01:23if you want a breeze without breaking a sweat canal boat operators from Brindley place are running short

01:30trips a shaded view of the city that's easy on the legs or head indoors entirely the library of Birmingham

01:36is one of the city's few groundwater cooled public buildings offering study spaces and panoramic views

01:43sea life's cool dog tanks are a safe bet for families and independent cinemas like the mockingbird in

01:49digbeth provide a climate controlled break with a film and for many a heat wave means one thing

01:57ice cream Birmingham's high streets markets and neighbourhoods have no shortage of parlours and

02:03desert cafes from small independents to larger chains whether it's a gelato in the city centre milkshakes in

02:11the suburbs or soft serve from a park kiosk there's plenty of choice without travelling far for some

02:17businesses these hot spells mean their busiest weeks of the year a brief boost for trade in a difficult

02:23climate for high street retail amber alerts will remain in place with forecasters expecting the heat

02:31to ease only slightly after a while that means the city's cooler corners are likely to stay busy and for

02:37those without easy access to shade or air conditioning knowing where they are could make all the

02:42difference and in a heat wave public spaces aren't just leisure their lifelines keeping them open safe and

02:49maintained is as much a public service as road repairs or bin collections