I wouldn’t travel to Europe without one of these in my handbag

As a Brit, I’m not really built for the heat. While others bake happily for hours, I’m donning the biggest hat I can find and frantically looking for the nearest air-conditioned room. I’m also quite pale, with the kind of skin that looks orange with only a whisper of bronzer, and for whom a spray tan is simply off-limits. If I’m not very careful, I end up lobster red after five minutes in the sun; either from the heat or from not absolutely slathering every inch of my body in SPF, or more likely both.

But one recent purchase has made a big difference to my comfort levels in warmer climes – and that’s a £12 electric fan. I know, I know. A fan for hot weather? Groundbreaking. But this simple, obvious addition to my handbag has made such a difference to my comfort levels while abroad that I can’t believe I didn’t have one before. I’ve spent years of my life quietly overheating on a sun lounger in my long sleeves or sitting inside stoically reading a book alone when I could have just… bought this.

It’s accompanied me to Portugal, Spain and France this year already and, closer to home, it’s also been a lifesaver on jam-packed tubes at rush hour (although admittedly, nothing can make the central line less hellish during the summer months). As it’s electric, it takes literally no effort to use (if I’m on holiday, I want to move as little as possible) and delivers a consistently powerful airstream. It weighs basically nothing and recharges quickly and easily via my Android phone’s cable.

All in all, it’s been a very useful buy for hot and sticky times. It’s an absolute hot weather essential for me now, along with a decent hat, pair of sunglasses and some good SPF, of course. I like this John Lewis one, but there are plenty available on Amazon Prime too. See some of our top picks below.

Gaiatop mini handheld fan

3-in-1 fan, torch and phone charger