UK heatwave: Sweltering Brits turn to pillowslips in freezers and ice baths as temps hit 38C

I spend most of my year working in Australia, where 38C is hot but hardly unusual. Returning to the UK during this week’s heatwave, however, has been a reminder that temperature alone doesn’t tell the whole story.

I was welcomed home to a scene that felt distinctly British. In the garden sat a newly purchased ice bath, hastily assembled to provide some relief from the heat.

Inside, pillowcases had been banished to the freezer, every shelf seemed stocked with ice lollies and frozen treats, and fans were positioned strategically around the house in a battle against the rising temperatures.

Across parts of England, temperatures are forecast to reach 38C, with health alerts in place and warnings of disruption to transport, schools and daily life.

While Australians are used to airconditioned homes, offices and trains, Britain is confronting extreme heat with infrastructure that was largely designed to keep warmth in rather than out.

The difference is immediately noticeable. Most homes lack air conditioning, bedrooms become stifling overnight and even simple tasks can feel more difficult when temperatures refuse to drop after sunset.

Some areas are expected to experience “tropical nights”, where temperatures remain above 20C, offering little respite from the daytime heat.

As the country adapts, official advice has become a familiar refrain. People are being urged to stay hydrated, avoid the midday sun, wear loose-fitting clothing and keep homes cool by closing curtains and windows during the hottest parts of the day before opening everything up at night to create a through-breeze.

But alongside the official guidance, Britons are relying on a distinctly homegrown set of solutions - some more inventive than others.

Since arriving back, I’ve heard of countless people turning fans into makeshift air conditioners by placing bowls of ice or frozen water bottles in front of them.

Others swear by carrying frozen picnic cooler blocks on tube journeys to make packed carriages more bearable, or filling hot water bottles with ice-cold water instead of hot.

A personal favourite has been watching my sister fill a pair of socks with rice and throw them in the freezer, only to pull them out mid-Teams meeting to relieve her clammy feet.

Paddling pools have reappeared in gardens across the country, not just for children but for adults seeking relief from the heat. Cold flannels draped around necks, frozen gel packs tucked under desks and late-evening walks have all become part of the British summer survival toolkit.

The nation’s supermarkets are also feeling the effects. Shelves stocked with ice, cold drinks and frozen treats are being cleared at speed, while iced coffees appear to be outselling their traditional hot counterparts.

Parks, beaches and shaded green spaces have become natural gathering points as people search for cooler spots.

Coming from Australia, what’s striking is not just the heat itself but how Britain responds to it. There is frustration at the lack of airconditioning and concern about the risks posed by extreme temperatures.

Yet there is also a sense of humour. As the country swelters, Britons continue to do what they often do best: adapt, improvise and find increasingly creative ways to stay cool.