Head to the cinema 

Dark and air conditioned – the cinema is a great place to escape the sun and crowds.

The Invitation comes out on August 26^th and is a gothic romance slash psychological horror. In September we get Salem’s Lot – a Stephen King remake with an ancient evil turning people into vampires. If you’re into a bit of sci-fi with your horror, Nope comes out on August 12^th.

Explore a cave

 Another way to find cool and dark is to head underground. We love Wookey Hole Caves in Somerset for their witchy vibe (they have a resident witch, after all), and they’re a great way to avoid the sun. Nearby Cheddar Gorge and caves are also worth a visit. They’re both popular places to take kids in the summer holidays, so if you’re looking for peace and quiet it might not be the right spot.

White Scar Cave in Yorkshire is the longest cave in Britain (that’s open to the public), so you’ll have plenty to see while you hide out underground, including waterfalls, pre-historic pools and huge caverns.

Protect your makeup 

Heat equals sweat and sweat can be disastrous for makeup. To avoid everything sliding off your face, a good setting spray is essential (and keep it in your bag for a quick top up if you feel like you need one).

Urban Decay has a vegan formula setting spray but be aware that not all of their products are vegan (though they are all cruelty free). NYX Matte Finish is vegan and avoids that dewy finish that can look greasy when it gets hot. 

Stay hydrated 

This isn’t just for goths, of course, staying hydrated is important for everyone. Head to Etsy for a cute goth water bottle to make the whole process a little more stylish.

We found some cute tarot designs, potion bottle designs, bats, pumpkins, and plenty of alternative, witchy, and metal bottles. Just search ‘goth water bottle’ and you’ll have tonnes to choose from.

Look out for your familiars 

If you have pets, whether they identify as goth or not, they need some help in the hot weather, too. Avoid walking dogs during the heat of the day – stick to early morning and late evening and keep to the shade.

Pet cooling mats and cooling towels are available and can really help. Putting ice cubes in water bowls can help, although you may find your pet playing with them more than anything!

Leave water out in your garden for wild animals and birds that are struggling – although if you have cats that go outside, make sure you put bird bath or feeder high enough that your cats won’t pounce on the critters using it.

And finally – did you know that summer is Japan’s spooky season?

In Japan, when the temperature rises it’s believed that the boundaries between the worlds of the living and the dead are thin and spirits are able to cross over.

Spooky plays and stories are traditionally told in the summer months – possibly to keep people entertained back before air conditioning was invented. And people love to visit haunted houses – or obake yashiki – in fact, the hotter it is, the more people visit.