Leeds Festival goers enjoy 77F heat as Brits head to beaches and beauty spots
No need for wellies! Leeds Festival goers enjoy 77F heat as Brits head to beaches and beauty spots to make the most of warm three-day weekend
Britons are preparing to enjoy a sizzling Bank Holiday weekend as temperatures could reach a scorching 77FThe Met Office has said most of the UK should to be dry and bright for the duration of the three-day weekendThe RAC has estimated that a staggering 16.7million leisure trips are planned across the extended weekendBut people looking to head on road trips could be stuck in traffic jams as there is congestion on motorways
Festivalgoers soaked up the sun as they prepared for temperatures to reach a scorching 77F during a weekend of stellar line-ups at the Reading and Leeds Festivals – the first large-scale gigs since restrictions were eased.
The Met Office said most of the UK is set to be dry and bright for the duration of the three-day weekend after weeks of wetter than usual weather for August.
Hoards of revellers at the much-anticipated annual musical festivals have ditched their wellington boots in favour of flip-flops as temperatures across the Bank Holiday weekend are set to reach a scorching 77F (25C).
Meanwhile, thousands of people were stuck in traffic jams as they flocked to the beaches across the UK today, including Dorset and Cornwall, despite warnings to stay away as Covid-19 grips hold of the region.
Partygoers at the Reading and Leeds Festivals can enjoy bright conditions over the weekend, with highs potentially reaching 69.8F (21C) in Reading on Sunday and 62.6F (17C) in Leeds.
However, those camping in Leeds should pack warm layers, with temperatures set to drop to 50F-51.8F (10C-11C) overnight.
Photographs showed Leeds festivalgoers appearing to have the time of their lives as they donned brightly-coloured summery outfits and put on their shades in the glorious sunshine, as the festival kicked off on Saturday.
Britons are set to enjoy a sizzling Bank Holiday weekend as temperatures could reach a scorching 77F, while hoards of revellers enjoyed the balmy start to the much-anticipated Reading and Leeds Festival
Revellers at the Reading and Leeds Festivals can enjoy bright conditions over the weekend, with highs potentially reaching 69.8F (21C) in Reading on Sunday and 62.6F (17C) in Leeds
However, those camping in Leeds should pack warm layers, with temperatures set to drop to 50F-51.8F (10C-11C) overnight. Pictured: Woman arrives at Leeds Festival Main area on Saturday
Hoards of revellers at the much-anticipated annual musical festival have ditched their wellington boots in favour of flip-flops as temperatures across the Bank Holiday weekend are set to reach a scorching 77F (25C)
Revellers at the Leeds and Berkshire mass gatherings are being urged to test for Covid before they flock to the festivals and when they return. Pictured: Woman arrives at Leeds Festival main area on Saturday
Photographs showed festivalgoers appearing to have the time of their lives as they donned brightly-coloured summery outfits and put on their shades in the glorious sunshine, as the festival kicked off on Saturday
Elsewhere in Newquay, Britons flocked on to the streets on mass carrying rainbow flags as the annual Pride festival got underway, despite the rising Covid-19 cases in the region
Revellers at the Leeds and Berkshire mass gatherings are being urged to test for Covid before they flock to the festivals and when they return, and not to visit older or more vulnerable loved ones in the days after the events amid another surge of the virus.
There have also been concerns about summer music festivals contributing to a spike, after thousands of cases were suspected to be linked to the Boardmasters festival in Cornwall and hundreds to Latitude Festival in Suffolk.
Forecasters predicted that the last Bank Holiday weekend of the summer could see sizzling temperatures of 77F (25C) on their way across the three-day weekend.
Meanwhile, people hitting the road this weekend have been warned they could find themselves stuck in long traffic jams as it is estimated that a staggering 16.7million leisure trips are planned over the next three days.
Elsewhere in Newquay, Britons flocked on to the streets on mass carrying rainbow flags as the annual Pride festival got underway, despite the rising Covid-19 cases in the region.
People carried placards with slogans including ‘bisexual and proud’ and ‘you cannot erase us’, while other festivalgoers dressed in drag and draped the rainbow flag around their shoulders as they enjoyed the sunshine.
Newquay Pride went ahead on Saturday, despite the region currently having the highest cases of Covid in the UK
People carried placards with slogans including ‘bisexual and proud’ and ‘you cannot erase us’ during Pride in Newquay
Elsewhere, pictures showed Britons making the most of the glorious sunshine on Saturday, as people sunbathed and relaxed on Brighton beach in East Sussex
Festivalgoers arrive at Leeds Festival Main area on Saturday and have ditched their wellies for flip flops as the Bank Holiday heatwave and sun arrives at Bramham Park
Hundreds of people took to the streets of Newquay on Saturday as they took part in the annual Pride celebrations
Groups of people dressed up in drag and donned rainbow flags as they took part in the annual celebrations of the LGBTQ+ community
Two people holding cardboard placards grinned as they joined in the Pride celebrations, while hundreds of marchers walked behind them
People out for a morning swim and exercise before the temperature hots up on the start of the bank holiday weekend at Bournemouth beach
Bournemouth beach became busier into Saturday afternoon as hoards of sunseekers headed to the coast to make the most of the weather
Sunbathers also flocked on to Brighton beach as the temperatures soared on Saturday, with photographs showing crowds of peopledotted across the pebbled beach
The Met Office said most of the UK is set to be dry and bright for the duration of the three-day weekend after weeks of wetter than usual weather for August. Pictured: Sea swimmers at Branksome beach in Dorset
Forecasters predicted that the last Bank Holiday weekend of the summer could see sizzling temperatures of 25C on their way across the three-day weekend. Pictured: Sea swimmers at Branksome beach in Dorset
Pictures showed Britons making the most of the glorious sunshine on Saturday, as eager beachgoers headed out for an early morning swim before the weather hotted up at Branksome and Bournemouth beaches in Dorset.
Sunseekers also flocked in mass on to Brighton beach as the temperatures soared on Saturday, with photographs showing hoards of Britons dotted across the pebbled beach.
The best conditions can be expected in Northern Ireland and western Scotland on Saturday, but there is likely to be fine, dry and settled weather in most other areas too.
As the weekend progresses, the warmest temperatures are expected to be in southern England, with highs of 71.6F (22C) or 73.4F (23C) and the potential for an isolated 75.2F (24C) or 77F (25C).
Met Office spokesman Grahame Madge said: ‘It will be a largely fine and settled weekend; there’s very little – if any – rain in the forecast.’
He added that conditions are expected to cool slightly going into Monday.
Two people relaxed on deckchairs and enjoyed the balmy weather on Brighton beach on Saturday
The streets of Newquay became a sea of rainbow as marchers carried a giant flag while marching for Pride
Crowds of sunseekers descended on Bournemouth beach on Saturday as they were keen to sunbathe in the 77F heat
A police car was seen decorated with the LGBTQ+ rainbow colours as Pride got underway in Newquay on Saturday
Pride marchers held rainbow flags supporting the NHS as they soaked up the sunshine while the festival got underway in Newquay
People were eager to set up camp on Bournemouth beach as they headed to the seaside for the three-day Bank Holiday weekend on Saturday
Keen beachgoers headed towards the sea at Branksome beach kitted out in their wetsuits as they made the most of the cooler morning before the scorching temperatures predicted for Saturday afternoon
People headed out near Bournemouth beach in Dorset early on Saturday morning as they made the most of the three-day weekend
But people hitting the road have been warned they could find themselves stuck in traffic jams as it is estimated 16.7million leisure trips are planned over the next three days. Pictured: Paddleboarders at Branksome beach in Dorset
Many Britons are set to hit the road across the Bank Holiday weekend as the RAC estimated that 16.7million leisure trips are planned over the next three days, with traffic pile-ups anticipated. Pictured: Bank Holiday traffic towards Devon and Cornwall
Two sea swimmers put their hats on as they prepared to brace the cool sea temperatures in wetsuits at Bournemouth beach in Dorset
The best conditions can be expected in Northern Ireland and western Scotland on Saturday, but there is likely to be fine, dry and settled weather in most other areas too. Pictured: Beachgoers at Branksome beach in Dorset on Saturday
Families got the best spots on Bournemouth beach on Saturday morning as they prepared for a sizzling day in the sunshine
As the weekend progresses, the warmest temperatures are expected to be in southern England, with highs of 22C or 23C – and even the potential for an isolated 25C. Pictured: Beachgoers at Branksome beach in Dorset on Saturday
Stunning low, early morning sunshine rakes across the rooftops in Fortuneswell on the Isle of Portland as Britons prepare for a scorching Bank Holiday weekend
Traffic shows thousands flock to Devon and Cornwall for the three-day weekend despite requests to stay away as Covid takes a grip of the region
The best conditions are expected in Northern Ireland and western Scotland on Saturday, but there is likely to be fine, dry and settled weather in most other areas too, with beachgoers on Branksome beach (pictured) making the most of the sunshine
Photographs showed Britons making the most of the glorious sunshine on Saturday, as eager beachgoers headed out for an early morning swim before the weather hotted up at Branksome and Bournemouth beaches in Dorset
Many Britons are set to hit the road across the Bank Holiday weekend as the RAC estimated that 16.7million leisure trips are planned over the next three days, with hopes of good late summer weather possibly seeing even more people jumping in their car for a day trip or last-minute break.
At 4pm on Friday there was ‘severe’ congestion on a number of motorways in England including on the M1, M5, M6, M25 and M56, according to the National Highways website.
There was also stationary traffic on the A303 near Stonehenge, Wiltshire, which is a popular route for people travelling towards the South West.
The South West is expected to bear the brunt of the traffic over the weekend, with bottlenecks and delays likely on the M4 going west away from London, the M5 as it reaches Devon and Cornwall and the A303 around the Stonehenge area.
Officials are now braced for travel chaos on what could be the busiest period for roads and rail yet this year as the Met Office forecasts temperatures of up to 75F and dry and bright weather over the next four days.
It comes as the rail industry said ticket sales to seaside hotspots were already more than double the number sold over last year’s August bank holiday.
On some leisure routes passenger numbers are even expected to surge past pre-pandemic levels, with research by consultancy WPI Economics suggesting rail passengers alone will on average spend £116 each per trip.
Crowds flocked on to Brighton beach on Saturday and pitched up umbrellas as they made the most of the sunny Bank Holiday weekend weather
Many Britons are set to hit the road across the Bank Holiday weekend as the RAC estimated that 16.7million leisure trips are planned over the next three days. Pictured: Beachgoers at Branksome beach in Dorset on Saturday
Sunbathers kicked back and relaxed on Brighton beach as they started their three-day weekend soaking up the sun rays
One eager beachgoer was seen running into the waves at Bournemouth beach in Dorset on Saturday as he was keen to cool off amid the rising temperatures
Brighton beach was jam-packed with crowds of eager sun-seekers on Saturday, who wanted to make the most of the glorious weather
One woman lay and sunbathed against the Bournemouth beach wall on Saturday morning, listening to music as she enjoyed the start of the Bank Holiday weekend
People out for a exercise before the temperature hots up on the start of the bank holiday weekend at Bournemouth beach
Eager beachgoers enjoyed a swim in the sea in Bournemouth on Saturday morning, as millions are expected to hit the roads and enjoy sunny breaks this weekend
The sky above Bournemouth beach looked cloudy on Saturday morning, but temperatures are set to hit 77F (25C) across the Bank Holiday weekend
People enjoy the fine weather on the beach in Brighton, East Sussex, as temperatures are expected to soar to 77F (25C)
Eager Britons got out-and-about in Bournemouth on Saturday as they basked in the sunshine following a wet and rainy August
AA president Edmund King described the M25 as ‘full’, adding that other major roads were ‘very busy’.
RAC Breakdown spokesman Rod Dennis said ‘bumper-to-bumper bank holiday traffic’ was expected, especially on the most popular holiday routes.
He urged motorists to carry out essential checks on their car, such as ensuring tyres are properly inflated and have plenty of tread, and that oil, coolant and screenwash are at the correct levels.
National Highways said about 98 per cent of England’s motorways and major A roads were free of roadworks over the weekend.
Transport analytics firm Inrix had urged motorists to avoid setting off for getaway journeys on Friday afternoon due to heavy traffic.
Inrix analyst Bob Pishue said: ‘Drivers hitting the road for one last getaway before the end of summer should expect long delays on key corridors.
‘Knowing when and where congestion will build can help drivers avoid the stress of sitting in traffic.’
Families secured their spots on Bournemouth beach early on Saturday, before the sands become busier as the temperature hots up this weekend
Britons enjoyed the sizzling weather on Brighton beach on Saturday, with photographs showing people reading their books, sunbathing and going for a dip in the sea
But temperatures are expected to drop to a cooler 10C or 11C overnight, despite balmy, sun-filled days. Early morning sunshine rakes across the world-famous Chesil Beach on the Isle of Portland on Saturday morning
Eager beachgoers were keen to cool off by having a quick dip in the sea on Saturday morning, as temperatures are set to reach 77F (25C)
Eager paddleboarders on Branksome beach basked in the early morning sunshine as they kicked off their three-day weekend
Photographs showed Britons making the most of the glorious sunshine on Saturday morning, as eager beachgoers headed out for an early morning swim before the weather hotted up at Branksome beach in Dorset
RAC Breakdown spokesman Rod Dennis said ‘bumper-to-bumper bank holiday traffic’ was expected, especially on the most popular holiday routes. Pictured: Early morning sun over Branksome beach
A man enjoyed an early morning paddle on Branksome beach in Dorset, enjoying the scorching late summer weather after a rain-filled August
National Highways said about 98 per cent of England’s motorways and major A roads were free of roadworks over the weekend. Pictured: People in wetsuits get ready to get in the sea on Branksome beach
Transport analytics firm Inrix had urged motorists to avoid setting off for getaway journeys on Friday afternoon due to heavy traffic. Pictured: Early morning sunshine catches the yacht masts in Portland harbour
