Good Friday brought the hottest temperature of the year as the thermometer moved up to 22C (71.6F).
The reading at St James’ Park in central London set the new standard for the year.
People made the most of their day off by enjoying the great outdoors, with Bournemouth beach a magnet for many.
The sun rises at Littlestone beach in Kent (Victoria Jones/PA)PA Wire
People on the beach in Bournemouth (Andrew Matthews/PA)PA Wire
Sunseekers savour the spring weather (Andrew Matthews/PA)PA Wire
Bluebells in Wanstead Park, east London, on the hottest day of the year so far (Stefan Rousseau/PA)PA Wire
Stuart Henderson enjoys sunshine from his hut on Bournemouth beach (Andrew Matthews/PA)PA Wire
Paddleboarders in the sea off the Dorset coast (Andrew Matthews/PA)PA Wire
Visitors to Hollow Ponds in Epping Forest, east London, enjoy the warm weather (Stefan Rousseau/PA)PA Wire
Bournemouth pier in Dorset (Andrew Matthews/PA)PA Wire