Heatwaves and cool spaces

What do to in a heatwave and cool spaces in Bristol 

Preparing yourself for hot weather 

You can sign up for weather warnings from the Met Office to know when there is likely to be a period of hot weather.

If you're looking after anyone who is vulnerable, you may also wish to sign up for the UK Health Security Agency Heat Health Alerts.

There's also hot weather and heatwaves advice on GOV.UK Go to https://prepare.campaign.gov.uk/be-informed-about-hazards/hot-weather/ (opens new window). 

If you or someone else is feeling unwell because of the heat, get to a safe place to rest and aim to cool down and drink water.

Advice on how to recognise heat exhaustion and the symptoms of heatstroke can be found on GOV.UK. If someone is showing signs of heatstroke, call 999.

Access to free tap water 

Any location that has a Refill Bristol sticker on the window will provide free tap water.

You can also find public water fountains on the Trail Tap website Go to https://trailtap.co.uk/ (opens new window). 

You can also use the Refill Return app to find places to refill your water bottle. 

Cool spaces 

Bristol has designated cool spaces where you can go to take a rest in the shade, spend time and cool down.

They all provide seating and are free to use. Many also provide free drinking water and accessible toilets.

Most of these spaces do not have air conditioning. However, they should be cooler than outdoors.

Cool spaces are not a substitute for medical care. If someone is feeling unwell from overheating, follow the advice from the UK Health Security Agency.

Other cool spaces

Many churches and faith spaces have seating and cool interiors and are free to access. Supermarkets and shopping centres often have air conditioning and shopping centres may also have seating. These locations also usually have public toilets.

Cool spaces by ward 

You should check the websites, social media or phone the space in question to check opening hours and any unexpected closures before visiting. 

If you have a space you'd like to nominate as a cool space, email sustainable.city@bristol.gov.uk. 

Avonmouth and Lawrence Weston 

• Avonmouth Community Centre

Central

• Central Library
• M Shed
• Bristol Cathedral

Clifton 

• Clifton Library

Clifton Down 

• Redland Library

Easton

• Easton Community Centre

Henbury and Brentry 

• Blaise Museum 
• Henbury and Brentry Community Centre 

Hengrove and Whitchurch Park

• Whitchurch Library

Henleaze 

• Henleaze Library

Hillfields 

• Hillfields Park Community Centre

Horfield 

• Ebenezer Church Community Hub

Hotwells and Harbourside 

• Create Centre (B Bond)
• Holy Trinity Church

Shirehampton 

• JTHub at Shirehampton Methodist Church 
• Shirehampton Public Hall Community Association 

Southmead 

• Wednesday cafe at St Stephen's Church 

St George 

• The Beehive Centre

St Werburgh's

• St Werburgh's City Farm (outdoor space)

Windmill Hill 

• Windmill Hill City Farm 

How we're helping the city prepare for heatwaves and climate change 

Our Keep Bristol Cool Mapping project has helped us identify parts of the city that may be especially vulnerable to heat. This work has been used to inform tree planting schemes and other interventions. We're continuing to work on making the city and residents better adapted to heat waves and hot weather.

Find out more about how we are helping Bristol adapt to climate change.