STRUGGLING with the heatwave?

All you need is a shady spot or some water to paddle in and you'll soon forget that the temperature gauge is surging into the 30s.

The residents of Southampton are spoilt for choice when it comes to beautiful spots in which to cool down.

Here's five ideas of places to go to cool down if the heat is just getting too much for you.

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The city's parks and open spaces 

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The tree-lined Southampton Central Parks - West Park, East Park, Palmerston Park, Houndwell, and Hoglands, provide a chain of public open space through the heart of the city. 

As well as being beautifully kept with glorious blooms and lots of fascinating statues and monuments, they provide plenty of shade for anyone taking a break from the heat of the city. 

Enjoy the Titanic ship in the playground, crazy golf or grab an ice cream from the cafe, but keep out of the sun and stay hydrated! 

The land is flat and even and provides a large, green central oasis. 

This chain of parks echoes the green approach into the city further to the north, where Southampton Common provides a similar stretch of heavily wooded, public open space.

The New Forest

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The sun is shining and we all want to be outside. There is no better place to be for sunshine or shade than in the New Forest National Park. How lucky we are to have this gem on our doorstep.

The New Forest includes one of the largest remaining tracts of unenclosed pasture land, heathland and forest at over 200 square miles. 

Discover the woods, heathland and coast while staying cool.

Our suggestions for a shady spot or a paddle in the stream include Rhinefield Ornamental Drive, Bolderwood or Puttles Bridge. 

The beach

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If you fancy a dip in the sea, some of the South's best beaches are within a short drive of the city. 

The closest are the New Forest hotspots of Lepe and Calshot.

This shingle beach located in Lepe Country Park will be particularly popular at the moment, owing to the more abundant trees on the cliff top, keeping the children's adventure playground in the shade for much of the day.

Popular with water sports enthusiasts and families, it enjoys glorious views of the Isle of Wight on clear days like these.

Paddling pools and splash parks, various locations

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What better way for the little ones to cool off than at one of the area's paddling pools or splash parks.

Free sites are currently open at Totton, Eastleigh and Hedge End and attractions including Paultons Park, pictured above, also boast splash pads. 

Pack a picnic, your swimmers and your sun cream and you're away!

For water babies, there's nothing more fun than splashing around in the shallows, basking in the sun on an inflatable or chasing their friends around with a water pistol.

The Westquay fountains

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If you must head into town, cooling off after a trip to the shops just had to be done. 

Youngsters absolutely love the destination water feature at Westquay made up of 33 fountains.

Reinforce the concept of tidal mudflats, on which the city of Southampton was first built upon, the water feature ebbs and flows like a tide.

At certain times of the day, the water feature floods to create a mirror pool reflecting the historical city walls. 

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