London is set to experience a heatwave over the next few days, with temperatures expected to reach 33C on Monday, May 25. While many Londoners look forward to enjoying beer gardens and parks during the Bank Holiday weekend, one reporter shares a different perspective: the heat in London is far worse than in other parts of the world, particularly Australia.
A Different Kind of Heat
Ayokunle Oluwalana, a Senior Multimedia Journalist, argues that London is simply not built for hot weather. Buildings retain heat, the Tube becomes a furnace, and nights offer little relief. He contrasts this with his experience living in Australia, where 25C feels pleasant due to coastal breezes and widespread air conditioning. Even a 40C Christmas in Perth was more bearable than a 26C day in London, he claims.
The Tube: A Horror Movie
The Underground is a major culprit. The Victoria line was recorded as the hottest in 2025, and walking down escalators towards the Central line feels like entering a furnace. Commuters endure cramped, shoulder-to-shoulder conditions with little ventilation, making the journey a test of endurance.
Urban Heat Island Effect
London's skyscrapers reflect heat, and car emissions create a heat vortex. The lack of breeze at night leaves residents tossing and turning. Oluwalana notes that while he appreciates the sunny weather after months of rain, the heat quickly becomes unbearable above 28C.
Cultural Complaints
He acknowledges that complaining about the weather is a stereotypical Londoner trait, but insists the infrastructure is to blame. He ends with a nod to the iconic quote from The Inbetweeners: "It is well hot, might be too hot, might be."
As London braces for the heatwave, many will share Oluwalana's mixed feelings of gratitude and dread. Whether you're sweating on the Tube or seeking shade in a park, this Bank Holiday will be one to remember.
