Jump directly to the content

SUN-STARVED Brits have hit the beach today on the hottest day of the year. 

People across the country were pictured out and about enjoying the Bank Holiday - as the mercury soared to 25.1C this afternoon. 

🔵 Read our UK weather live blog for the latest forecasts

Lyme Regis in Dorset is packed with sun seekers on the hottest day of the year
18
Lyme Regis in Dorset is packed with sun seekers on the hottest day of the yearCredit: Alamy
Camber Sands in East Sussex was also flooded with people enjoying the sun
18
Camber Sands in East Sussex was also flooded with people enjoying the sunCredit: Alamy
Brits cooled off in the sea as temperatures climbed to the high teens this morning
18
Brits cooled off in the sea as temperatures climbed to the high teens this morningCredit: Alamy
Pals enjoy the scorching temperatures in Petersfield Open Air pool in Hampshire
18
Pals enjoy the scorching temperatures in Petersfield Open Air pool in HampshireCredit: chris gorman / big ladder
Bournemouth beach was packed with sun seekers
18
Bournemouth beach was packed with sun seekersCredit: w8media
18

Bank Holiday Monday is the warmest day of the year so far after 25.1C was recorded in Kinlochewe, Scotland, according to the Met Office.

This has surpassed the previous high for 2021, which was set on March 30 at Kew Gardens in West London when the temperature hit 24.5C.

It comes after two days of glorious weather over the long weekend, sending Brits flocking to parks and beaches as well as pubs and restaurants now that Covid-19 restrictions have mostly been lifted.

Lyme Regis in Dorset was packed with people enjoying the scorching temperatures this morning, while the Promenade in Brighton was heaving with sunbathers.   

Becky Mitchell, a meteorologist from the Met Office, said the only exception to today's scorching weather would be seen along the east coast of England.

She said: “There is quite a lot of low cloud, mist and fog in east coastal areas and that will stay for the next few days, so highs of between 12C and 16C there - quite a lot lower than elsewhere.”

Three friends paddle on Brighton beach
18
Three friends paddle on Brighton beachCredit: i-Images
Heavy traffic builds up on the M25 near Leatherhead in Surrey during the heatwave
18
Heavy traffic builds up on the M25 near Leatherhead in Surrey during the heatwaveCredit: LNP
Three friends enjoy the sunshine on the seafront in Brighton
18
Three friends enjoy the sunshine on the seafront in BrightonCredit: i-Images
Two pals smile on their way to the beach in Camber Sands
18
Two pals smile on their way to the beach in Camber SandsCredit: Alamy
The beach in East Sussex was heaving with sunbathers this morning
18
The beach in East Sussex was heaving with sunbathers this morningCredit: Alamy
The beach in Bournemouth was packed at 10:30am this morning
18
The beach in Bournemouth was packed at 10:30am this morningCredit: BNPS
Cops patrol Bournemouth beach
18
Cops patrol Bournemouth beachCredit: w8media
Members of the public are seen in the suspended swimming pool on a sunny day during bank holiday in Embassy Gardens
18
Members of the public are seen in the suspended swimming pool on a sunny day during bank holiday in Embassy GardensCredit: LNP
Residents relax in the Embassy Gardens Sky Pool
18
Residents relax in the Embassy Gardens Sky PoolCredit: Reuters

But the record is unlikely to last long - as scorching 27C temperatures are expected on Wednesday before cooler air moves in. 

Ms Mitchell added: “There will potentially be some thunderstorms by midweek, the first bout of showers will come into parts of the South West and there will be a few thunderstorms in that.

“There's a chance of some thundery break down in the south east and we could have some quite intense storms there.”

"There's still a lot of uncertainty but with the warm and humid weather we are having we have the key ingredients for thunder storms."

People go for a punt in the River Cam in Cambridge
18
People go for a punt in the River Cam in CambridgeCredit: Geoff Robinson
People gather in the good weather at Boscombe beach, Dorset
18
People gather in the good weather at Boscombe beach, DorsetCredit: PA
The ice-cream van in Camber Sands had plenty of customers this morning
18
The ice-cream van in Camber Sands had plenty of customers this morningCredit: Alamy

Although a fine bank holiday is rare, the temperatures are not unusual for the time of year, with the mercury usually sitting in the high teens and low 20s by late May.

The Met Office warned previously that levels of harmful UV light will be very high over the coming days, and advised people to wear plenty of sunscreen.

May has been the fourth wettest on record for the UK, and the wettest ever for Wales.

Brits pack out beaches and beauty hotspots across the country as the UK enjoys wall-to-wall sunshine over the Bank Holiday
Topics