Britons who have not headed into work today have been pictured soaking up the sun as the country basks in sizzling 75F (23C) heat.
Some practised yoga or read in peaceful corners of parks while others braved the weather and opted for a run along the River Thames.
Meanwhile swimmers dipped into the Serpentine in Hyde Park, central London, and golfers descended on greens for a round in Blackwood, South Wales.
The UK is set to bake in a 600-mile wide ‘continental heat bubble’ this week, which will see temperatures soar to higher than Malibu.
Britain will be hotter than the 68F (20C) in the California city, and on Wednesday will beat the 79F (26C) hottest day of the year, set on April 10 at Treknow, Cornwall.
The Met Office forecast highs of 73F (23C) today, nudging 79F (26C) tomorrow and 81F (28C) on Wednesday. Even the North is set for 77F (25C).
But it will be followed by a wet low-pressure system hitting over the Bank Holiday weekend, seeing rain sweep in for much of the country.
Some practised yoga (pictured in central London) or read in peaceful corners of the park while others braved the weather and opted for a run along the River Thames
Britons who have not headed into work today have been pictured soaking up the sun as the country basks in sizzling 75F (23C) heat. Pictured: Runners springing past Tower Bridge on the Thames
People enjoy the sunshine and hot weather in Potters Field’s, next to Tower Bridge in central London, and exercise outdoors today
The Met Office forecast highs from 73F (23C) today, nudging 79F (26C) tomorrow and 82F (28C) on Wednesday. Even the North is set for 77F (25C). Pictured: The swimmer taking a dive at Hyde Park Lido this morning
Weather maps show hot air blowing north from mainland Europe followed by a soggy low pressure system hitting into the long weekend. Pictured: Bryn Meadows Golf Club Captain Darren Brown teed off and walks to the first green at as restrictions on playing golf in Blackwood, Wales
A woman reads a book outside near Tower bridge on Monday morning as people are now allowed to exercise outside as much as they want
Thunderstorms will hit on Thursday, with the South and Midlands most at risk, and deluges follow into a 68F (20C) Bank Holiday weekend.
There will also be wind gusts set to push a gale-force 50mph in parts of the West and 30mph in the East. Bank Holiday Monday could be sunnier, with 70F (21C) highs.
Met Office forecaster Marco Petagna said: ’28C is possible, with growing confidence we’ll see the warmest day of the year.
‘Warm southerly winds will blow in, but the heat could well trigger thunderstorms on Thursday.
Britain will be hotter than Malibu as a 600-mile wide ‘continental heat bubble’ brings hottest days of the year by Wednesday. Pictured: A swimmer at the Serpentine Lido in Hyde Park, London, this morning
The UK (pictured in the Serpentine Lido in Hyde Park this morning) will be hotter than 68F (20C) Malibu, California, and is poised to beat the 79F (26C) hottest day of the year, set on April 10 at Treknow, Cornwall
The brave swimmers out for an early dip in the Serpentine Lido in Hyde Park this morning have a chat across the cool water
Bryn Meadows Golf Club Captain Darren Brown warms up before he tees off in Blackwood at as restrictions on playing golf in Wales have been eased but still differ to golf in England
One of the swimmers prepares to take to the water on he adds a swimming cap on the grassy shore. The Serpentine Lido has reopened to the public
A swimmer passes a swan and ducks as she takes an early morning swim at the Serpentine Lido in Hyde Park, central London
Bryn Meadows Golf Club Captain Darren Brown prepares to putt at the first green as restrictions on playing golf in Wales have been eased but still differ to golf in England
‘The week could end with rain, possibly torrential in places, but unsettled conditions may only be temporary in the South as high pressure builds again.’
Another Met Office forecaster said: ‘The unsettled period carries the risk of strong winds, mainly for western areas.’
The Weather Outlook forecaster Brian Gaze told Blowing Hot and Cold videochat: ‘Up to 28C is expected by midweek – but people taking trips out as we move into the Bank Holiday weekend might get a soaking.’
Ex-BBC and Met Office forecaster John Hammond of weathertrending said: ‘After Arctic cold air, there’s a big warm up.
‘The UK will bask in warm continental winds and a strengthening bubble of high pressure, with strong sunshine. But a thundery breakdown is expected by the weekend.’
The Weather Outlook forecaster Brian Gaze told Blowing Hot and Cold videochat: ‘Up to 28C is expected by midweek – but people taking trips out as we move into the Bank Holiday weekend might get a soaking.’ Pictured: A swimmer showering near the Serpentine in central London this morning
Ex-BBC and Met Office forecaster John Hammond of weathertrending said: ‘After Arctic cold air, there’s a big warm up.’ Pictured: A swimmer preparing to take the plunge at the Serpentine in central London this morning
Over the weekend of warmer weather a guitarist had to be rescued from the bottom of a 200ft cliff after he was left stranded by the tide.
Coastguards were called to Seaford Head on Saturday evening after a member of the public reported a man had been cut off by the incoming tide.
Rope rescue equipment was deployed and a cliff technician was lowered approximately 200 feet to the beach below.
They were then winched back up to safety – while wearing a face mask and gloves – where stern safety advise was given to the guitarist.
A spokesman for Newhaven Coastguard said: ‘The cliff technician, the casualty and their guitar were safely winched back up the cliff. We know its nice to be out at the coast but please check local weather forecasts and tide times.
‘Remember some (not all) tide tables and tide apps use in Greenwich Mean Time, so you need to add an hour for British Summer Time.
‘As in our incident today, if you see someone you believe is in difficulty at the coast, call 999 and ask for Coastguard.’
In a sign the waters are warming up around the coast of Britain in the build up to summer, a pod of dolphins were spotted surfing the waves off Dorset on Saturday.
In a sign the waters are warming up around the coast of Britain in the build up to summer, a pod of dolphins were spotted surfing the waves off Dorset on Saturday (pictured)
Boat traffic in Weymouth Bay (pictured) has been virtually non-existent for the last two months due to the coronavirus restrictions
The family of friendly bottlenose dolphins (one pictured) seemed thrilled to encounter the crew of one vessel that took to the water
The mammals (pictured on Saturday) were photographed leaping clear of the water, pointing their snouts into the air and swimming alongside Richard Bright-Paul’s dive boat
Boat traffic in Weymouth Bay has been virtually non-existent for the last two months due to the coronavirus restrictions.
So the family of friendly bottlenose dolphins seemed thrilled to encounter the crew of one vessel that took to the water.
The mammals were photographed leaping clear of the water, pointing their snouts into the air and swimming alongside Richard Bright-Paul’s dive boat.
Mr Bright-Paul said: ‘Although we can’t dive at the moment boats are allowed back on the water. We got a couple of miles outside of Weymouth and encountered these three bottlenose dolphins. They were pleased so see us.
‘They seemed to be in a very playful mood, especially as they starting jumping clear out of the water which is very unusual to see.’