Where to go to escape the summer heat in Yorkshire

Looking for ways to beat the heat this summer? Explore 8 destinations in Yorkshire that are perfect for cooling off.



Weather forecasts come and go. But it seems highly likely that summer 2026 will be another scorcher.

For some, this is a great opportunity for barbecues, beaches, parks and gardens. But for others, it's a time to head for the shade, wherever that may be.



Britain is no stranger to heatwaves. But its overall temperate climate means it's not built with cooling off in mind.

We don't have shady walkways in public parks. Air conditioning is still largely seen as a luxury. If you want to keep cool in the UK, you've got to get creative.

The good news is that there are plenty of places in Yorkshire where you can go to escape the summer heat. Need to cool off? Try these eight ideas. 

1. Go ice skating

Some ice rinks are open all year round. In Yorkshire, these include Planet Ice in Leeds, Bradford Ice Arena and The Dome in Doncaster.



Whether you're a dab foot at skating or a complete beginner, these indoor ice rinks are the perfect place to stretch your legs without breaking a sweat.

2. Explore churches

Yorkshire is full of gorgeous historic churches. These range from the great spires of York Minster and Ripon Cathedral to parish churches like St Patrick's in Patrington and St Mary's in Whitby.

The way churches used to be built makes them hard to heat. Their high ceilings, large interiors and thick stone walls keep the cold in. This makes them an ideal destination in the summer months when the heat gets too much.



3. Go to the library

"Libraries," The Big Issue tells us, "are not just for books – they can help in heatwaves too."

Of course, many local branches tend not to have air conditioning. Larger libraries like the British Library in Boston Spa, Leeds Central Library and the University of York Library all have modern heating and cooling systems.

Libraries are great spots for reading, writing, drawing or getting some work done. And some of the best in Yorkshire are free to use. So, if you want to simultaneously feed your mind and cool your limbs this summer, why not head for the library shelves?

4. Go shopping

Speaking of shelves, a shopping centre in summer can seem like an oasis in the desert. What the poet Philip Larkin called "The Large Cool Store" can be as consoling as an ice pack on an overheated forehead.

Shopping centres in Yorkshire aren't hard to find. There's Meadowhall in Sheffield, White Rose Shopping Centre in Leeds and the Broadway Shopping Centre in Bradford, to name just a few.

As well as providing retail therapy, these large-scale shopping centres are great places to get a slush drink, milkshake or ice cream.



5. Go to the cinema

If you're into film, Yorkshire is the place to be. The big cities offer a mixture of chain cinemas and independents. Rural Yorkshire, meanwhile, is home to a wide array of charming, historic and – in some cases – community-run independent cinemas.

Summer 2026 will also see several film festivals in the Yorkshire area. These include Sheffield DocFest (10 June – 15 June) and Castaway Film Celebration in Goole (22 August 2026).

Like its libraries and churches, Yorkshire's cinemas are a great place to go if you want to cool down and have an enriching experience in one fell swoop.



 6. Go to the museum

Yorkshire is home to some world-class museums. These include the National Railway Museum and JORVIK Viking Centre in York, the Royal Armouries in Leeds and Eden Camp WWII Museum near Malton.

Visitors to Haworth can explore the Brontë Parsonage Museum – the house where the authors of Wuthering Heights and Jane Eyre grew up with their family.

And in Halifax, families are spoilt for choice at Eureka! The National Children's Museum. This children's museum offers a wide range of hands-on educational activities for children of all ages.

7. Go for an outdoor swim

Water is an essential weapon in the war against heat – from regular hydration to cold showers. So, this summer, why not escape the heat by going for an outdoor swim?

Top spots for outdoor swimming in Yorkshire include Kisdon Force in Swaledale, Janet's Foss in Malham and the stretch of the River Wharfe that runs past Appletreewick.

If you want to pay for your pleasure, Pool Bridge Farm near York is home to beautiful lakes, well-kept saunas and a cafe. Ilkley Lido, meanwhile, is a historic lagoon-shaped pool not far from Ilkley Moor.



8. Head for the caves

There are more than 2,500 caves and potholes in the Yorkshire Dales National Park.  As the UK's biggest limestone landscape, it's home to the 100-kilometre-long Three Counties System and the huge underground chamber at Gaping Gill.

Not all of these caves are accessible to the public. There are, however, a number of show caves that are a great way to cool down in magical underground surroundings.

The main show caves are White Scar Cave, Ingleborough Cave and here at Stump Cross Caverns.

Stump Cross is an enchanting under-land wonderland filled with stalagmites, stalactites and other sparkling, shimmering rock formations. And because they're insulated by thick rock, the chambers and passageways all have a lovely cool temperature no matter what the weather's doing above ground.

So, if you're looking for an unforgettable (and cool) day out in Yorkshire, why not pay us a visit? It's quick and easy to book your tickets online.