Brighton revellers enjoy sundown party on hottest March day in 53 years
NOT six on the beach! Hundreds of Brighton revellers enjoy sundown party as armed police descend on Leeds park after Britons rammed beauty spots ignoring Covid advice on hottest March day since 1968 – while Matt Hancock pleads ‘don’t overdo it’
- Warmest conditions in South East yesterday are on a par with Majorca as mercury hits 76.1F (24.5C) in London
- Temperatures in March last exceeded 73F (23C) in 2012, and 75F (24C) in 1968 when all-time record was set
- Warmer weather coincides with the end to ‘stay at home’ order in latest stage of roadmap out of lockdown
- Conditions could change again from the middle of this week with a dip in temperatures for Easter weekend
- Do you have any pictures of Tuesday’s weather? Email pictures@mailonline.co.uk
Brighton revellers enjoyed a sundown party on the beach on the hottest March day for more than half a century on Tuesday – after police were forced to ban alcohol in parks in Nottingham due to drunken brawls on Monday.
Although lockdown restrictions were eased slightly yesterday, people are still only supposed to gather outdoors in groups of no more than six.
But many appeared to throw caution to the wind as temperatures soared beyond 75F (24C) – and it emerged 55 per cent of people in England now have Covid-19 antibodies.
Pictures showed packed beaches, parks and promenades in Leeds, Nottingham, Birmingham and London – among others.
Earlier in the day, Health Secretary Matt Hancock wrote a Tweet urging Britons to ‘enjoy the sun but let’s do it safely’, adding: ‘We have come so far, don’t blow it now.’
And visit Devon urged people to only make a trip when it is ‘safe and legal’, while Visit Cornwall said non-locals should ‘hold off on your Cornish dreams for a bit longer’. Cumbria Tourism asked people to ‘follow the guidance’.
But in Brighton, celebrations continued well into the evening with beachgoers erupting into an impromptu party with flame throwers as huge crowds gathered to watch.
And in Leeds, police descended on a park rammed with sunseekers following reports of a stabbing – but West Yorkshire Police found no-one injured after searching with officers and a helicopter.
Among the most-packed locations in England earlier on Tuesday was Woodhouse Moor in the Hyde Park area of Leeds, with hundreds of people flocking to the site, near a main student hub in the city.
Brighton revellers enjoyed a sundown party on the beach (pictured) on the hottest March day for more than half a century on Tuesday – after police were forced to ban alcohol in parks in Nottingham due to drunken brawls on Monday
In Brighton, celebrations continued well into the evening with beachgoers erupting into an impromptu party with flame throwers as huge crowds gathered to watch
The performance garnered a crowd of supporters in Brighton. People in England can gather outside in groups of six from Monday
A performer was wielding flames on the beach in Brighton – much to the delight of crowds who gathered to watch
A woman was seen performing with fire in Brighton. Many Britons continued their outdoor revelling into the evening
Celebrations continued well into the evening, with beachgoers in Brighton erupting into an impromptu party (pictured)
Hundreds of people flocked to Woodhouse Moor in Leeds on Tuesday as they made the most of the warm weather conditions
Huge numbers of people gathered at Woodhouse Moor in the Hyde Park area of Leeds in West Yorkshire on Tuesday
Enormous crowds were seen in aerial pictures of Hyde Park in Leeds, West Yorkshire, on Tuesday as countless Britons enjoyed the sun
Hyde Park in Leeds, West Yorkshire, was rammed with visitors and the air was clouded with smoke from various barbecues
Aerial images showed the vast crowds of people gathered in Hyde Park in Leeds, West Yorkshire, as Britons rushed to green spaces
Police were seen in Primrose Hill, London, on Tuesday as they urged visitors to abide by the rule of six – or maximum of two households
A large number of police officers arrived at Primrose Hill on Tuesday where Londoners were taking advantage of the warm weather
Police officers were seen on motorcycles in Primrose Hill to make sure Britons were following lockdown rules – which were partially relaxed on Monday
Police officers were seen in Primrose Hill on Tuesday. Health Secretary Matt Hancock earlier shared a Tweet urging Britons to ‘enjoy the sun but let’s do it safely’, adding: ‘We have come so far, don’t blow it now’
Meanwhile in Bristol, Kill the Bill protests erupted in the city centre. Demonstrators are taking a stand against the Government’s Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill
A woman with a sign reading ‘Kill the Bill’ is seen on sitting on the grass as demonstrations began again in Bristol
Kill the Bill protests in Bristol city centre saw demonstrators take their place on the grass, with one girl seen dancing with a hula-hoop
Police were out in force in Primrose Hill as Londoners made the most of the sunny day
Huge crowds were seen gathered in Primrose Hill as Londoners sat on the grass to soak up the sun with picnics
Two men were seen soaking up the sun in Brighton on Tuesday. The warm weather sent countless Britons flocking to the beach
Two police vans were seen in Primrose Hill as officers ensured visitors were following the rules. Six people or two full households can meet outdoors
Britons were seen enjoying the sunshine in Primrose Hill, London, as a police van waits nearby to ensure lockdown rules were followed
People had barbecues as they sat outside in the sunshine at Woodhouse Moor in the Hyde Park area of Leeds on Tuesday
Crowds are seen sunning themselves on the beach in Brighton, England, as Britons head for beauty spots across the country
And Health Secretary Matt Hancock shared a Tweet (pictured) urging Britons to ‘enjoy the sun but let’s do it safely’, adding: ‘We have come so far, don’t blow it now’
Huge crowds of people were seen gathered on the grass in Greenwich, South East London, as temperatures soared on Tuesday
Groups were gathered on a hill in Greenwich, London, on Tuesday as they enjoyed the warm weather. Groups of six – or two full households – are allowed to meet up outside
Police were on patrol in the Forest Recreation Ground in Nottingham on March 30 to ensure everyone followed lockdown rules
Crowds of sunseekers were seen soaking up the rays on Primrose Hill. Many stopped to enjoy a picnic
The warmer weather which began on Monday follows a blustery and wet weekend for many – and coincides with the end to the ‘stay at home’ order in the latest stage of the roadmap out of the third national coronavirus lockdown. Pictured: Huge crowds of revellers on Primrose Hill
It comes as a major Office for National Statistics testing survey on Tuesday revealed 54.7 per cent of people in England had the virus-fighting proteins in the week ending March 14, up from 50.8 per cent the week prior. Pictured: People having picnics on Primrose Hill, London
Park visitors queued for the toilets in Primrose Hill on Tuesday. The line stretched back several meters as countless sunseekers rushed to Britain’s green spaces
Two women were seen trying to fly a kite as they enjoyed the warm spring weather on Primrose Hill in London. The mercury soared on Tuesday
One local resident said: ‘There’s hundreds here – literally hundreds. People have barbecues going on. It’s really frustrating, to be honest.
‘I get it, it’s 20C and people want to enjoy the weather, but we’re literally a few weeks away from lockdown ending. Can they not just wait? It’s been busy since around 12pm, but within the last hour or so, it’s become rammed full.’
But one student, who was sunbathing on a quieter side of the park, said: ‘I mean it’s fair enough, you can’t really blame people for coming out and enjoying the sun. But I mean, it is pretty packed but what are you supposed to do? You can’t sit at home when it’s like this. It was always going to happen with weather like this.’
Up to six people or two households of any size are now allowed to meet outdoors in England after the rules were relaxed on Monday – and most Britons in parks across the nation were abiding by the legislation in the sunshine.
But after large crowds blatantly broke the rules on Monday night in Nottingham – and left huge amounts of litter – police in the city said alcohol would be seized from anyone entering parks there and a dispersal order was imposed.
Furious local councillor David Mellen said a selfish minority had abused the easing of restrictions at Nottingham Arboretum following a series of brawls, criticising people for ‘acting so thoughtlessly and recklessly’.
The warmest conditions on Tuesday were in South East England, which was on a par with the Spanish holiday island of Majorca, as people enjoyed the newfound freedom of being allowed to meet up in groups of up to six outdoors.
Kew Gardens in West London hit 76.1F (24.5C) at about 4pm – making Tuesday Britain’s warmest day of 2021 so far by some distance, smashing the record set only on Monday eight miles away at St James’s Park of 68.7F (20.4C).
The mercury last got above 73F (23C) in 2012 and 75F (24C) in 1968 – a year which also saw the all-time record of 78.1F (25.6C) set in Mepal, Cambridgeshire, on March 29, 1968, in records dating back to 1884.
It comes after a dramatic diurnal range – the difference between low and high temperatures in a day – on Tuesday morning as the mercury rose by 37.1F (20.6C) in four hours in Suffolk – from 29.1F (-1.6C) at 7am to 66.2F (19C) by 11am.
The warmer weather which began on Monday follows a blustery and wet weekend for many – and coincides with the end to the ‘stay at home’ order in the latest stage of the roadmap out of the third national coronavirus lockdown.
Met Office meteorologist Steven Keates said on Tuesday: ‘If we do get above 24C (75F) it will be the highest UK March temperature in 53 years. It seems a reasonable chance that’s going to happen.’
It comes as a major Office for National Statistics testing survey earlier revealed 54.7 per cent of people in England had the virus-fighting proteins in the week ending March 14, up from 50.8 per cent the week prior.
The figure is likely to be even higher now because millions more have been vaccinated since the blood tests were done a fortnight ago, and it takes about two weeks for immunity to kick in. It highlights the success of the UK’s mammoth vaccine roll-out, which has seen 30.5million Brits given their first dose and 3.7million fully vaccinated.
Meanwhile official figures revealed on Tuesday that Britain’s daily Covid death toll has halved in a week. Department of Health data showed 56 Covid deaths were recorded, down 50 per cent on the 112 fatalities registered last week.
This was the lowest level on a Tuesday since September 22. And Covid cases plunged by a quarter after another 4,040 were announced by health chiefs compared to the 5,379 detected at the same time last week.
Countless sunbathers basked in the sunshine in Brighton. The warm weather came as a welcome break for millions of locked down Britons
A woman is seen sunbathing in Brighton as a spell of warm weather coincides with eased lockdown restrictions across England
Hundreds of people headed to Woodhouse Moor in Leeds to enjoy the sunshine on Tuesday on the hottest day of 2021 so far
People made the most of the warm weather conditions in the Woodhouse Moor area of Leeds on Tuesday
Others chose to sit in a more-shaded area in Greenwich, London, as the capital soaked up the sun on Tuesday
A woman is seen balancing on a friend as she poses for photographs in the blossom in Battersea Park on Tuesday
Countless Britons went out for picnics in Greenwich on Tuesday. Rules allow groups of six – or two full households – to meet outside
Britons were seen on the pavement in Greenwich as temperatures soared on Tuesday. Many met with friends for picnics
People formed a long queue for ice cream in the hot and sunny weather Greenwich on Tuesday
Barbecues billowed smoke into the air in Liverpool’s Sefton Park on Tuesday as Britons rushed to enjoy the warm weather
Some people were seen kicking a football around as they soaked up the rays. Others chose to lounge on the grass
People were seen taking photographs in Battersea Park on March 30. The trees were covered in pink blossoms
This beach in Southend wouldn’t look out of place in Spain as families had picnics on the sand and children played in the water
Some Britons took out sun loungers as they relaxed on the green opposite the beach in Westcliff, Southend
Huge numbers of people gathered at Woodhouse Moor in Leedson Tuesday as they enjoyed the sunny weather
People held barbecues as they gathered at Woodhouse Moor in Leeds to enjoy the sunshine on Tuesday
People were seen posing for photographs beneath the blossom in Battersea Park on Monday as temperatures soared in the capital
Thousands of people filled Woodhouse Moor in the Hyde Park area of Leeds on Tuesday
Huge crowds gathered at Woodhouse Moor in Leeds on Tuesday as people made the most of the sunny weather
The gathering at Woodhouse Moor in Leeds on Tuesday was at a park located near a student hub in the city
Beachgoers enjoyed the good weather at Bournemouth in Dorset on Tuesday as temperature climbed in the South
People gathered at Endcliffe Park in Sheffield as parts of England enjoy unseasonably high temperatures on Tuesday
The beautiful conditions brought the crowds down to Brighton beach on Tuesday as they enjoyed the hot weather
Brawls on Monday at the Arboretum park in Nottingham city centre. After large crowds blatantly broke the rules, police in the city said alcohol would be seized from anyone entering parks there and a dispersal order was imposed
(From left) Sarah Mason, 20, Faith Adams-Wright, 20, and Olivia D’Monte, 19, enjoyed the weather at Bournemouth on Tuesday
Beachgoers enjoyed the good weather at Bournemouth in Dorset on Tuesday as temperature climbed in southern England
Miss England finalists Alexandra Taylor, 24, and Poppy Gerrard, 18, enjoyed the heat on West Kirby Beach on the Wirral on Tuesday
A police officer talked to people as they had a barbecue in Brighton on Tuesday following the easing of lockdown restrictions
Beachgoers enjoyed the sun in Southend-on-Sea in Essex on Tuesday as a mini-heatwave hit the South East of England
Hundreds of people flocked to Barry Island beach in South Wales on Tuesday as the temperatures soared in parts of Britain
Two women enjoyed a drink as they walked along the promenade at Barry Island beach in South Wales on Tuesday
Beachgoers enjoyed the sun at Southend-on-Sea on Tuesday as a mini heatwave hit the South East of England
A group of people relaxed in the sunshine at the Victoria Embankment Gardens in Central London on Tuesday
The beach at Southend-on-Sea was packed on Tuesday as people enjoyed the warm weather at the seaside in Essex
People were out in the sunny weather near Tower Bridge in London on Tuesday as temperatures soared into the 70Fs
Sunseekers enjoyed the weather at the Hot Walls pebble beach in Old Portsmouth, Hampshire, on Tuesday
People went for a walk along the River Thames near Tower Bridge in London on Tuesday as they enjoyed the warm weather
A woman enjoyed sunbathing on Brighton beach on Tuesday as southern England made the most of unseasonably warm weather
He added: ‘It’s an exceptionally warm spell of weather with potential for some records to be challenged.’ Mr Keates said conditions would turn ‘cooler’ through Thursday ahead of the arrival of the Easter weekend.
But while southerners can expect conditions to be dry and sunny, northerners might still need to pack an anorak – with showers still a possibility until today.
Mr Keates also said Scotland’s highest temperature of the year was equalled by the 66.7F (19.3C) at Aboyne in Aberdeenshire on Monday and a new top temperature for 2021 so far in Northern Ireland was set by the 63.1F (17.3C) recorded at Helen’s Bay in County Down.
Sally Everton, director of Visit Devon, said the public should only visit the county when it is ‘safe and legal’ to do so and encouraged local resident to report anyone from out of town to the police.
She told the Daily Telegraph that ‘Coming up on the A30 [on Monday] all I saw was cars with surfboards on the roof. Either they’re going to get their surfboards waxed or serviced, or they’re looking for some waves.
‘I’m quite disappointed because people will flout the law. What we need is an enforcement notice from the Government to say that while people can move around, they should stay local and to still minimise travel.’
And Malcolm Bell, of Visit Cornwall, asked people to ‘hold off on your Cornish dreams for a bit longer’ until restrictions on single households staying in self-catering accommodation are lifted on April 12.
He told the Telegraph: ‘The only thing you are permitted to do is day trips. When you look at the location of Cornwall, we wouldn’t be expecting anyone to travel more than an hour or so on a day trip.
‘We’d love to see people later in the year – and in the not too distant future – but for now please explore within an hour or so of where you live at a maximum.’
Meanwhile Jill Hague, the managing director of Cumbria Tourism, said: ‘As has been the case this past year, just follow the guidance. We have done a great job collectively as a country and it’s great to see the vaccine rolling out so successfully.’
Meanwhile in Nottingham, a dispersal order was put in place after large crowds gathered in a city park as lockdown restrictions were eased on Monday.
People out in hot weather near Tower Bridge in London on Tuesday as they enjoyed the sunshine
People flocked to Brighton beach on Tuesday to enjoy the warm and sunny weather on the South Coast
A woman took a dip in the water as beachgoers enjoyed the sun at Southend-on-Sea on the Essex coast on Tuesday
Beachgoers enjoyed the sun in Southend-on-Sea on Tuesday as a mini-heatwave hit the South East of the UK
Three women enjoyed their lunch on a park bench in the sun at the Victoria Embankment Gardens in London on Tuesday
Sunseekers soaked up the rays by the Hot Walls in Old Portsmouth as temperatures soar across the South
Warm spring sunshine at Camber Sands in East Sussex on Tuesday as families enjoyed the hot weather on the beach
Visitors enjoyed the warm weather on Brighton beach in East Sussex on Tuesday as temperatures soared in southern England
A man took advantage of the unseasonably warm weather and relaxing of lockdown restrictions at Brighton beach on Tuesday
People make the most of good weather at Falmouth in Cornwall where non-locals are urged to stay away
Police officers speak to a man as people enjoy the weather at Clapham Common in South London
People enjoy the warm weather and sunshine on Primrose Hill in North London
Three-year-old Hugo Clark from Cullercoats enjoys the sunshine on Tynemouth Longsands beach
Police officers walked among the crowds as the warm spring sunshine encouraged people out to Wimbledon Common on Tuesday
People out enjoying the hot weather at Cullercoats Bay in North Tyneside on Tuesday
People enjoyed the sunshine in Cambridge on Tuesday as forecasters reported temperatures in the 70Fs
People enjoyed the sunshine at Battersea Park in South West London on Tuesday as the capital experienced hot weather
Police officers talk to people as they enjoy the weather at Clapham Common in South London
People sat on the sand at Langland Bay in Swansea on Tuesday on a fine spring day in South Wales
People out enjoying the hot weather at Cullercoats Bay in North Tyneside
People enjoy the spring sunshine on Blackpool promenade in the Lancashire seaside resort
People on the sand at Langland Bay in Swansea, South Wales, on a fine spring day
Police officers walked through Wimbledon Common on Tuesday as the warm sunshine encouraged people to meet outdoors
Crowds headed for Brighton beach on Tuesday as a spell of hot weather coincided with lockdown restrictions being eased
Crowds headed for the beach in Brighton on Tuesday as a spell of hot weather coincided with lockdown restrictions being eased
People played rugby as they enjoy the hot weather at Bournemouth Beach on the Dorset coast
Thousands of people flocked to Barry Island beach in South Wales on Monday as the temperatures soared
Families headed to the beach at Southend-on-Sea in Essex on Tuesday as they made the most of the warm weather conditions
People enjoyed their lunch on a park bench in the sun at the Victoria Embankment Gardens in Central London on Tuesday
Visitors to Brighton enjoy the warm sunny weather on the beach as the South East enjoys hot weather
People enjoy the warm spring weather at Walton-on-the-Naze in Essex as temperatures rise in the South
People enjoyed the sunshine at St James’s Park in London on Tuesday, one day after it was the joint-warmest place in the UK
People enjoy the warm weather on Bournemouth beach in Dorset as temperatures soar
Men carry boxes of beer as people flock to Barry Island beach in South Wales to enjoy the weather
Groups of people sit in the sunshine on Primrose Hill in North London as they enjoy the warm weather
Families enjoy the warm weather at Ruislip Lido in North West London
A group of people enjoy a boat ride in the sunshine on Regent’s Canal in London
People out in hot sunny weather near Tower Bridge in London as temperatures soar in the capital
Members of the public enjoy the beach in Bournemouth in Dorset on Tuesday as a spell of warm weather covered the South
People cycled through Richmond Park in South West London on Tuesday as parts of the country enjoy the warm weather
People enjoy the warm weather on Bournemouth beach in Dorset as temperatures soar in southern England
The warm spring sunshine encouraged people to meet outdoors on Wimbledon Common in South West London on Tuesday
People go for a walk near Tower Bridge in London as they enjoy the warm temperatures
Groups of people sit in the sunshine on Primrose Hill in North London
People enjoyed the warm weather on Tuesday at Ruislip Lido in North West London as temperatures hit the 70Fs
A group of six young women make the most of the warm weather as they sit on the grass at Primrose Hill
Members of the public enjoyed the beach in Bournemouth in Dorset on Tuesday amid a spell of warm weather in the South
There was a huge brawl as dozens of people were seen drinking and ignoring social distancing rules, leaving behind large amounts of litter at Nottingham Arboretum.
The scenes led the leader of Nottingham City Council to call for everyone to take personal responsibility for sticking to rules as they are eased.
Councillor David Mellen said a selfish minority had abused the easing of restrictions, adding: ‘We have all made sacrifices over the last year to keep each other safe. Over 600 local people have died due to the virus.
‘We owe it to their families, to each other and to frontline workers not to jeopardise the strides we have made towards reducing the spread of Covid by acting so thoughtlessly and recklessly.
‘The road map is a cautious way out of this terrible situation and we all need to abide strictly to its rules. They currently allow up to six people or two households to meet outside but other necessary precautions such as social distancing remain in place.’
Alcohol will be seized from people entering parks from Tuesday, Mr Mellen said, amid an increased police presence.
Nottinghamshire Police Assistant Chief Constable Steve Cooper said yesterday: ‘While we can of course understand people’s desire to want to be out in the sun and enjoying these mild temperatures we are currently experiencing, the Government and our health colleagues remain extremely cautious and advise that people continue to minimise social contact.
‘We would like to remind people that we are still only partly out of lockdown measures. This week has seen the easing of some of the restrictions but we are still required to keep our distance from each other and only mix with one other household outdoors, up to six people.
People enjoy a drink near Tower Bridge in London on Tuesday
Police officers talked to people as they sat in the sun following the easing of lockdown restrictions in Brighton on Tuesday
People out in hot and sunny weather near Tower Bridge in London
People go for a walk along the South Bank in London as temperatures get into the 70Fs in the capital
People enjoy the hot weather at Bournemouth beach in Dorset
People out in hot sunny weather near Tower Bridge in London
A young woman went paddle boarding on Tuesday as people enjoyed the hot weather at Cullercoats Bay in North Tyneside
People make the most of the warmth on the South Bank in London yesterday morning as England enjoys a mini-heatwave
People sit outside as they enjoy the hot and sunny weather near Tower Bridge in London
People out in hot sunny weather near Tower Bridge in London
People sat on the banks of the River Thames opposite the Tower of London as they enjoy the heat on Tuesday
A man enjoys a beer as people sit outside in the sunny weather near Tower Bridge in London
A contractor checked a zip line by the beach in Bournemouth on Tuesday as a spell of warm weather covered the south of England
People enjoyed the hot weather at Bournemouth as the Dorset coast was among the areas experiencing good sunshine on Tuesday
Members of the public queued for food in Bournemouth on Tuesday as people made the most of the warmth
People walked in the sunshine past a banner asking people to observe the social distancing guidelines in St James’s Park on Tuesday
People enjoyed the sunshine at St James’s Park in London on Tuesday, one day after lockdown restrictions were eased
Cyclists made their way along a cycle path in Brighton on Tuesday as high temperatures encouraged people to go to the beach
People went out on the River Cam in Cambridge on Tuesday as temperatures soared in parts of the country
Hundreds of people flocked to the Historic Exeter quayside on Tuesday as Devon enjoyed warm weather
Members of the public enjoyed the beach in Bournemouth in Dorset as parts of England saw warm temperatures
Visitors admire a magnolia tree at Kew Gardens in South West London in the warm weather
Hundreds of people flocked to the Historic Exeter quayside in Devon on Tuesday on what was the warmest day of the year so far
People enjoy the sunshine at St James’s Park in Central London as the hot weather continues
People punt along the River Cam in Cambridge as temperatures are significantly warmer than normal
People enjoy the hot weather at Bournemouth beach in Dorset
A group of women enjoy the sunshine at St James’s Park in London
People enjoy the hot weather at Bournemouth beach on the Dorset coast
People cycled in Richmond Park on Tuesday as London enjoyed balmy temperatures and sunshine
People enjoyed the warm weather on Bournemouth beach in Dorset on Tuesday, one day after the rule of six outdoors returned
People enjoyed the warm weather at Southsea on Tuesday as they walked along the seafront in Hampshire
People enjoyed the warm weather at Southsea in Portsmouth on Tuesday as the mini-heatwave swept over the South
People enjoying the warm weather at Ruislip Lido in North West London
People enjoyed the sunshine at St James’s Park in London on Tuesday as the capital had warm weather conditions
People enjoyed the warm weather on Bournemouth beach in Dorset on Tuesday as temperatures rose in southern England
People went paddle boarding at Southsea in Hampshire on Tuesday as they made the most of the warm weather
Families walked along the promenade next to Walton-on-the-Naze beach in Essex on Tuesday as temperatures rose in the south
Beachgoers enjoy the sun in Southend-on-Sea as a mini-heatwave hits the South East of the UK
People enjoy the warm weather at Ruislip Lido in North West London
People enjoy the warm weather on Tynemouth Beach on the North East coast
Beachgoers enjoyed the sun in Southend-on-Sea on Tuesday as a mini-heatwave coincided with the easing of lockdown restrictions
People enjoy the sunshine at St James’s Park in London as they meet up outside in the warm weather
People enjoy the warm spring weather at Walton-on-the-Naze beach in Essex
A man and his dog go paddleboarding on the River Cam in Cambridge in the very warm temperatures
People enjoying the warm weather at Southsea as they walk along the promenade in Hampshire
People punted on the River Cam in Cambridge on Tuesday as temperatures soared in the South East of England
People enjoying the warm weather on the pebble beach at Southsea in Portsmouth
Families sat on the beach at Southsea on Tuesday as they made the most of the warm weather conditions in Hampshire
‘We are aware of a number of residents choosing to be out in the Arboretum. The behaviour yesterday was unacceptable and we are disappointed people decided to behave in this selfish way.
‘That is why we have now taken the decision to put a dispersal order in place. Our officers will continue to engage with people to ensure they are still sticking to the rules.
‘It is up to us all to keep to the measures so we can continue on the road map out of lockdown, by keeping the virus at bay.’
In traditional British topsy-turvy fashion, the weather is expected to change again from the middle of the week, with signs that cold air from the north could bring another dip in temperatures for Easter weekend.
By the end of the week, conditions are due to deteriorate, with showers likely in many areas.
Forecasters predict temperatures will drop to around or even below the seasonal average of 54F (12C) over Easter weekend, which begins this Friday, with widespread overnight frosts a possibility.
The coldest Easter weekend on record was in 2013 when 9.5F (-12.5C) was recorded at Braemar in Aberdeenshire, on Easter Sunday.
The deepest snow recorded at Easter was on Good Friday came in 2010 when 36cm (14in) was measured at Strathdearn, northern Scotland.
People enjoyed the warm weather on Tynemouth Beach on the North East coast on Tuesday as they made the most of a day out
Two women make their way past beach huts on the sea front on Boscombe beach in Dorset
People enjoyed the warm weather at Southsea on Tuesday as temperatures soared across the South of England
Families make the most of the warm weather conditions at Southsea
People out in hot weather near Tower Bridge in London on Tuesday as temperatures reached highs of over 70F in the capital
The warm spring sunshine encouraged friends to meet outdoors on Wimbledon Common in South West London on Tuesday
A shirtless man looked at his phone while enjoying the sunshine on Wimbledon Common in South West London on Tuesday
Swimmers took an early morning dip at Cullercoats Bay on the North East coast as the mercury soared in the UK on Tuesday
People punted along the River Cam in Cambridge on Tuesday as temperatures soared in parts of the country
People out in the hot weather near Tower Bridge in London as temperatures soar in the capital
People enjoyed the warm weather at Southsea on Tuesday as temperatures got to unseasonably high levels
A group of people enjoy a boat ride in the sunshine on Regent’s Canal in London
People out in the sunny weather near Tower Bridge in London as temperatures soar into the 70Fs
Two people go for a walk along the promenade at Walton-on-the-Naze on the Essex coast
Two women sit on a park bench in the sun at the Victoria Embankment Gardens in central London
A child stood amid blooming magnolia flowers at Kew Gardens in South West London on Tuesday
People out in the hot weather at Greenwich in South East London as temperatures soar in England
A group of young people walk through Primrose Hill in North London as they enjoy the pleasant weather conditions
People out in the sunny weather at Greenwich in South East London amid the hot conditions
Members of a local scooter club on the sea front on Boscombe beach during a socially distanced meet up on Tuesday
A man sat topless in the Victoria Embankment Gardens in Central London on Tuesday as temperatures soared in the capital
People enjoyed the sunshine at Stratford-upon-Avon in Warwickshire on Tuesday as they went for a walk through a park
The wettest Easter was in 1991 when 108.7mm (4in) of rainfall was recorded at Seatoller, in Cumbria, on Easter Monday.
On Monday, much of England away from the South East was cloaked in grey skies as blustery conditions left temperatures feeling three or four degrees cooler than the 54F (12C) to 57F (14C) showing on the thermometer.
Meanwhile Scotland will be hit by rain, wind – and even snow over the Bank Holiday weekend.
A yellow Met Office warning for torrential rain was extended by 15 hours on Monday, meaning it will have been in force for 63 hours by the time it expires at 9am today.
At one stage on Monday, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency had 46 flood alerts and warnings in place.
Monsoon-like conditions continued to lash the North-West, flooding roads and closing the West Highland rail line between Crianlarich and Fort William.
For the Easter weekend forecasters said Arctic air on Sunday could bring snow showers. Oliver Claydon of the Met Office said: ‘We expect to see a return to wintry conditions.’
In Wales, the stay local order ended on Saturday and people were allowed to stay in self-contained holiday accommodation.
People made their way past beach huts on the sea front on Boscombe beach in Dorset on Tuesday
People looked at the views of London from Primrose Hill on Tuesday as they made the most of the warm and sunny conditions
A couple walked up Primrose Hill in North London on Tuesday as they enjoyed the warm conditions in the capital
Two people enjoyed a picnic on the grass at Primrose Hill in North London on Tuesday as the warm weather continued
People sat on the grass at Primrose Hill in North London on Tuesday as they made the most of the pleasant weather conditions
Three friends enjoyed a fresh start to the day as they went for a swim in the North Sea during sunrise at Tynemouth beach
Paddleboarders donned their wetsuits and hit the sea at Cullercoats Bay at as the sun came up yesterday morning
Anna Heslop, 25, paddleboarding during sunrise at Cullercoats Bay on the North East coast
Early morning swimmers brave the cold water in New Brighton marina in the Wirral
Runners made the most of the sunny start as they got out and did some exercise through London Bridge
Friends took the opportunity to have a catch up in the sun in Stratford-upon-Avon on Tuesday
People punted along the River Cam in Cambridge on Tuesday as temperatures soared across parts of the UK
Commuters enjoyed a sunny walk into the office along London Bridge
Dog walkers took their pets out for an early morning stroll in Wimbledon, south west London, on Tuesday
Runners were out in force in Wimbledon, south west London early
Commuters crossed London Bridge in the the morning sunshine on Tuesday, with temperatures expected to climb throughout the day
Tower Bridge and the Thames was a picturesque sight in the morning sunshine early on Tuesday
The stay home order in Scotland is to end on Friday, while in Northern Ireland up to six people, or two households, will be able to meet outdoors from Thursday.
Meanwhile the Prime Minister has urged people to remain cautious as the relaxation of lockdown measures in England coincides with an ongoing ‘exceptionally warm’ spell of weather.
Across the country on Monday, people made the most of sunny conditions and the easing of rules which means groups of up to six, or two households, are now able to socialise in parks and gardens while outdoor sports facilities can reopen.
The lifting of some restrictions saw golfers return to the fairways and swimmers take the plunge in outdoor pools as temperatures rose.
