After a long, cold winter that saw bleak weather right into April, people are jumping at the chance to bask in some spring sunshine.
Wednesday was the hottest day of the year so far, with temperatures reaching 25C (77F) in parts of the South East, more than 10C higher than the UK average for the time of year.
Thursday should be even warmer, but temperatures are expected to fall from the beginning of next week.
St Mary’s Lighthouse in Whitley Bay, Northumberland, as the old adage of red sky in morning, shepherd’s warning, was proved wrong (Owen Humphreys/PA)
Surfers took advantage of the conditions to catch some waves (Andrew Matthews/PA)
Others stayed on the sand (Andrew Matthews/PA)
In the city, the best place to bask in the sun was in the park (Victoria Jones/PA )
Soaking up the rays in London’s Green Park (Victoria Jones/PA)
