On this page you will find tips for staying cool during heatwaves and hot weather, and a list of 'Cool Spaces'. Cool Spaces are indoor spots across South Cambridgeshire where you can shelter from the sun and cool down.
Although Cool Spaces are designed to help everyone, please be aware they are not places with medical care. If someone is very ill in hot weather, they should seek medical help.
Cool Spaces
An asterisk (*) means that this building has air-conditioning.
Bar Hill
- Bar Hill Library
Cambourne
- Cambourne Library
Comberton
- Comberton Library
Coton
- Coton Orchard Garden Centre
Cottenham
- Cottenham Library
- Community Centre & Coffee Shop
- Village Hall
Duxford
- Duxford Community Centre
Foxton
- St. Laurence Church
- Printworks Café *
Fulbourn
- Fulbourn Centre
- Fulbourn Hub
Gamlingay
- Eco Hub
Great Shelford
- Great Shelford Library
- Scotsdales Garden Centre
Harston
- Nadia's Café
Hauxton
- Hauxton Centre *
Histon
- St Andrew's Centre *
- Histon Library
Landbeach
- All Saints Church
Linton
- Linton Library
Melbourn
- Melbourn Hub *
- All Saints Community Hall
- Vicarage Close Community Hall
Northstowe
- Unity Centre
- Western Park Pavilion
- Northstowe Tap & Social
Over
- Over Conference & Community Centre *
Papworth Everard
- Papworth Library
Sawston
- Sawston Library
Stapleford
- Stapleford Granary Arts Centre & Café
Swavesey
- The Nook Coffee Shop
Teversham
- Community Hub
Weston Colville
- St. Mary's Church
Willingham
- Willingham Library
Here is a full list of libraries across the county which have air-conditioning:
- Cambourne
- Cherry Hinton
- Ely
- Great Shelford
- Histon
- Huntingdon
- Milton Road, Cambridge
- Ramsey
- St Ives
- Wisbech
Tips for keeping cool
Keep your cool with a heatwave resilient home
Hot weather is becoming more common in the UK. We have just experienced the hottest June day on record, and many of our homes aren’t designed for high temperatures. There are simple, low‑cost ways to stay cool, and as with most things, prevention is better than cure!
Keep warm air out and let cool air in
Close windows, curtains and blinds during the hottest part of the day to keep warm air and sunlight out. Once temperatures drop in the evening, open windows on different sides of your home to create airflow. Fans can help you feel cooler by moving air around, but they are most effective below around 35°C.
Reduce indoor heat build-up
Appliances, electronics and lighting all give off heat. Switch off and unplug what you can, and avoid using multiple heat‑generating devices at once.
Think about shading
External shading (such as shutters, awnings or blinds) can be particularly effective at keeping homes cool, often more so than internal curtains. Natural shading, such as trees, hedges and other planting, can also play an important role by creating shade and cooling the surrounding air.
Take action early!
Preparing ahead of hot weather can make a real difference. Practical steps now can help you stay comfortable during future heatwaves, while also reducing energy use.
Further resources and opportunities
The British Red Cross and Shade the UK have developed guidance on keeping your home cool. Also see their guide on heatwave advice for vulnerable groups.
The heatwave toolkit includes a range of low‑cost, effective ways to keep homes cool (including renter‑friendly options).
Get involved in the Heatwave Resilient Homes campaign from Carbon Neutral Cambridge, which promotes practical solutions such as external shading, and signposts to the Heatwave Resilient Homes survey.
Explore local examples: view the growing gallery of external shading solutions and simple DIY approaches (including low‑cost mesh blinds).