It's been a hot minute - here's our top 5 university cities for the heatwave!

It's been a hot minute - here's our top 5 university cities for the heatwave!

15 July 2022 • 5 min read


With temperatures in Britain set to reach a record-breaking 35°C next week, go-to outdoor activities and sunbathing spots are a must-have for young people across the country. Given many students have just moved into new houses, we wanted to share our wisdom and round up the best 5 university cities where you can enjoy the heatwave... 

From beaches to city parks, there is a range of places across the UK for students to make the most of the glorious sun before lectures start again, but it is also essential to keep safe in the unusually high temperatures. 

Leeds 🚲

It’s hardly a surprise that Leeds is one of the best university cities for outdoor spaces. Located just 20 miles from the Yorkshire Dales, a hike or bike ride is always guaranteed to be a great day out. Half an hour closer, and you can enjoy a visit to Otley Chevin, with its amazing views over the countryside and market town below. 

There are plenty of more central green spaces as well, with Woodhouse Moor, Meanwood Park and Beckett Park a short distance from the main student areas of Hyde Park, Headingley and Woodhouse. Wanting more? The city centre boasts a wealth of restaurants and pub gardens, with Wellington Street and Call Lane being particular hotspots.

Sheffield 🏔

Like Leeds, Sheffield is also on the border of a national park: the Peak District. The scenic Stanage Edge, located 7.5 miles from Sheffield centre, is only a 25-minute drive. For those without a car, a train runs every hour to Hope Valley, where you can access the popular landmarks of Mam Tor and Kinder Scout. 

The popular student neighbourhood of Ecclesall Road also offers a 4-mile stretch of coffee shops, restaurants and bars where you can soak up the sun. The Nursery Tavern is especially geared up for the summer months, with a big beer garden to the rear. The Botanical Gardens which features 19 acres of winding pathways, lawns and flowerbeds is also perfect in sunny weather. The gardens are always a staple with sunbathers, we recommend perhaps leaving a visit to the huge Glass Pavilions for a slightly cooler day!

Brighton 🏖

No list would be complete without mentioning Brighton. With Brighton Beach only a 10-minute walk from the popular student area of London Road/Upper Lewes Road, you can sit out the heatwave surrounded by sea and sand, well pebbles – the Mediterranean or the English South Coast, who could tell the difference in this weather? 

For those preferring the city scene, there is a wander down The Lanes to be enjoyed, a maze of alleyways filled high and low with boutiques, antique shops, cafes, bars and restaurants. Be sure to also stop off at the Royal Pavilion’s beautifully kept Regency Garden, where you can take a stroll down the leafy pathways.

Nottingham 🌳

Perhaps the underdog of the list, Nottingham is home to a wealth of parks, perfect for a picnic or sunbathing in the summer months. With Nottingham University’s Jubilee Campus winning the 2019 Green Flag Award for its ‘impressive outside space and sustainable credentials’*, students can enjoy the heatwave right on their own doorstep. 

Excellent public transport links also mean that the picturesque grounds of Wollaton Hall and the Arboretum are just a short tram ride away. In the city centre, you can either amble down the quaint streets of the Lace Market, or grab a drink at the Waterfront, which has plenty of outdoor seating and is always hugely popular. 

Edinburgh 🥐

We finish our list up north, with Edinburgh. Students here are spoilt for choice when it comes to outdoor spaces; Holyrood Park, Calton Hill and the Meadows to name a few. Princes Street Gardens, is also a fan favourite, which covers a whopping 37 acres, and separates the Old Town from the New Town. Nearby, you can also find the Grassmarket, a paradise of independent merchants, designers and artisans, with food and drink options for all tastes and budgets. 


Tips for keeping cool during the heatwave

As much as this hot weather is here to be made the most of, it is important everyone stays happy and healthy whilst they enjoy the sun. UniHomes have collated a round-up of top tips for keeping cool during the heatwave:

·       Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated, especially if consuming alcohol 

·       Keep homes cool by drawing blinds and closing the curtains

·       Apply a good factor sunscreen regularly and wear a hat when outside

·       Try to stay in the shade as much as possible, particularly between 11am and 3pm, when UV rays are strongest

·       Wear lighter-coloured and loose-fitting clothes 

·       Ditch the duvet – lightweight sheets are best

·       Place a damp flannel on your forehead 

·       Submerge wrists and feet in cool water for 15 minutes + 

·       Try putting your PJs in the fridge (ingenious, we know!) 30 minutes before bedtime



For medical advice visit https://www.nhs.uk/. You can find the symptoms of heat exhaustion and heatstroke here. If symptoms persist, always contact NHS 111 or NHS 999.


Students UniHomes.