The next big freeze could last 250 years: Experts say Sun’s activity wanes every 200 years – and the next ‘cooling period’ to start between 2030 and 2040

The last time this occurred was between 1650 and 1850 – a period known as the ‘Little Ice Age’.

At the time, most of Britain’s rivers would freeze over during the bitter winters.

Contemporary paintings show people could even cross the Thames using ice skates.

The next ‘cooling period’ is scheduled to start between 2030 and 2040.

But scientists from Pulkovo Observatory in St Petersburg think the cold period is unlikely to be as harsh as the last one.

Researcher Yuri Nagovitsyn said: ‘Evidently, solar activity is on the decrease.

‘In this respect, we could be in for a cooling period that lasts 200 to  250 years.