The seaside sardines: Sun seekers pack the beaches as temperature hits 26.5C

By DAVID DERBYSHIRE

Sea of people: Brighton beach was rammed yesterday as holidaymakers enjoyed the soaring temperatures and cooled off in the sea


A trip to the seaside in April can be tricky, running the gauntlet of the month’s traditional sunshine and showers. Last year, that was certainly the case, with umbrellas on the beach in Brighton for those brave enough to venture out.

This year, the contrast in the South Coast resort could not have been greater – as these scenes of crowds basking in the sunshine yesterday show.



Spring 2010: This time last year a lone couple of hardy souls shelter from the rain to brave the blustery Brighton beach


And as Britain prepares for the first of its double bank holiday weekends, the Met Office is forecasting four days of glorious sunshine and sizzling temperatures.

And if temperatures top 25C (77F) as predicted, it will be the hottest Easter since records began a century ago.

The ‘barbecue Easter’ follows an extraordinary month of warm, sunny weather in England and Wales which has put this April on course to be the warmest on record.

And while it’s too soon to predict the weather for the Royal Wedding, all the early signs are that the sunshine will continue into next week.

Yesterday temperatures soared to a scorching 26.5 C (79.7F) at Heathrow, West London, yesterday – the hottest this year, making it toastier than the Costa Brava.


Life in the slow lane: Punters take it easy along the River Cam in the centre of Cambridge


Pedal power: People take to the waters of the Serpentine in paddle boats and rowing boats in Hyde Park, Central London


The fine, dry weather is forecast to last until at least Monday, making a perfect end to the Easter holidays for millions of families who stayed in the UK.

Met Office spokesman John Hammond said temperatures could reach 26C (79F) again on Thursday.

The warmest weather will be in the South-East although much of England and Wales will enjoy another balmy day.

Over the weekend, temperatures could reach 24C (77F).

The last time Easter Saturday and Sunday was that hot was in 1984 when the mercury touched 23.7C (74.7F).


Irresistible: The lure of the water proves too much for these two boys who decided to take the plunge from Newquay harbour wall


Thousands of people flocked to coasts and parks around the country to soak up the sizzling weather with St James's Park in central London hitting 25.4C - eclipsing Rome and Athens.

Millions more will make the most of the mini-heatwave over the Easter weekend, which is expected to see the high temperatures continue.

Across the country, wisteria is flowering early, taking gardeners by surprise with its spectacular displays of lavender and violet.

The plant usually signals the start of summer when it blooms each May, but a long, cold winter and unusually warm April mean it has opened up two weeks early.

At Cambridge, visitors have been stopping to admire the wisteria stretching across the outside of colleges such as Magdalene.


In stark contrast to the packed beach, these sun worshippers enjoyed a much quieter patch of grass in the centre of Cambridge yesterday afternoon



Apple blossom is checked by fruit farmer John Bentley in Newent, Gloucestershire after it flowered three weeks early


Off with their heads: The heads of tulips in this 70-acre Norfolk field are cut off so the plant's energy can go into making the bulbs bigger and these can later be sold


But gardening experts say that if the run of warm weather carries on, the blooms may only be around for a few weeks.

The rise in temperatures has also been accompanied by a drop in rainfall. While this is supposed to be the month of refreshing spring downpours, so far, the April showers have failed to materialise.

The parched conditions are also a worry for gardeners who rely on a good soaking in spring to get their flowers, shrubs, fruit and vegetables off to a good start.


Making a splash: Young boys took it in turns to leap from Newquay harbour wall while temperatures hit 26C yesterday


Surf's up: Gwityhian, near Hayle in Cornwall, grew more popular throughout the day as temperatures rose



Tranquil: Walkers enjoy the hazy weather at a lighthouse near Hayle, Cornwall - a far cry from the April showers we are more accustomed to at this time of the year

source: dailymail