Temperatures hit 23C today on the warmest day of the year so far - but the fine weather will end before the weekend.
Mercury reached the high in St James' Park, London, this afternoon, beating the year's previous record by 1C. But while the capital was basking in the sunshine, remarkably just 40 miles away in Langdon Bay, Kent, it was 13.7C.
Britain was hotter than north Africa, as temperatures reached just 20C in the city of Tunis, Tunisia.
Enjoying the sun: Kasia Pypno, 22, and Tairi Tillo, 21, sunbathe on Clapham Common, London, as Britain enjoyed the hottest day of the year so far
Beautiful day: Brighton beach is filled with sunseekers today - and the beach volleyball players are topless - as temperatures hit a high of 23C
Spring day: Christine Virginie enjoys the hot weather at West Dean College, West Sussex
Isla Stanton, enjoying the warm weather amongst the bluebells in Hole Park, Rolvenden, Kent, last year
But due to bad weather at the beginning of this year is not covered in Bluebells like it was last year
Warm: People enjoy the hot weather on Clapham Common today on what is the warmest day of the year so far
Weather outlook: After today it is expected to be significantly cooler
The year's previous high of 22.0C was set in Manston, Kent, on April 14.
Before it starts feeling cold again, many were making the most of the sunshine to visit parks, playground and beaches and catch up with the gardening.
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Temperatures could plunge to 13C tomorrow as the weather takes a turn for the worse.
In Cambridge, tourists went punting on the River Cam along the historic Backs as they enjoyed the last few hours of warm.
Punting: These people were making the most of the weather in Cambridge today - because it will plunge to 13C tomorrow
Hottest place in Britain: A group of people ride down the river in Cambridge today on the hottest day of the year so far. Temperatures of 22.6C were recorded this afternoon
Warm weather in Cambridge: Four more boats ride down the River Cam today as Britain enjoys 22.6C weather
Relaxing: Fine weather in Cambridge today... but unfortunately it will be gone by the weekend
A swan stretches out its wings on the River Nene in Peterborough, Cambridgeshire today
Warm: A man mows a lawn in the ornamental gardens in Chiswick House, west London
Perfectly manicured: Volunteers prepare the gardens at Chiswick House for the summer season on a wonderful spring day
But the hot, sunny weather is not expected to last, with heavy rain due across the South East tonight.
'Overnight there will be a spell of persistent and possibly heavy rain across the South East, so there could be a wet commute to work tomorrow,' said Charlie Powell, of the Met Office.
'Tomorrow it will be showery, with temperatures around 10C lower than they have been in the South East in recent days.
'There will be some sun but temperatures will be around 12C or 13C which is more average for this time of year.'
Busy: These sunseekers, lucky enough not to be working today, made the most of the warm weather before the cold returns in time for the weekend when the rest of us are off
Warm day: Two sunseekers relax in deckchairs on Brighton beach today on the warmest day of the year so far
High wire: A man strikes a post on a balancing cord next to the derelict West Pier on Brighton beach on a day of fine warm weather
Very high jump: The man leaps into the air while balancing on a cord above Brighton Beach today
He said temperatures on Friday and Saturday nights could dip sown to single figures with a possibility of frost.
'There will be a mix of sunshine and showers across England and Wales on Saturday and a drier day on Sunday,' he added.
'Next week will see temperatures continue to be average, or slightly below average, so it will be more of a typical Spring week.'
With the weather remaining topsy-turvy, the odds of snow falling in any British city in the first May bank holiday have been slashed from 10/1 to 2/1.
Warm: Someone lies down on a bench in Richmond Park today as temperatures soar
Beautiful day: A couple enjoy the weather in Greenwich park, central London, today
Spring day: A crowd of people enjoy the warm weather on Clapham Common
Last of the sun: A group of women enjoy the warm weather today at lunchtime in Victoria Tower Gardens before it gets cooler tomorrow
London: Temperatures as high as 23C are expected today on what is likely to be the warmest day of the year
Warming up: Two people jog through Richmond Park today on what is expected to be the warmest day of the year so far
Beautiful day: Melina Teske 21, enjoys the hot weather on Clapham Common in London
Beautiful day: People sit in the sunshine on the steps of St John's Church in Smith Square, London
Beach day: A group of people sit on the beach in Southsea, Hampshire, today
Warm: Sisters Jane Bailey, 62, and Corinne Goater, 63, sit outside their beach hut at Hayling Island, Hampshire, today
Sun: Commuters walk to work across London Bridge this morning on what could be the hottest day of the year so far
Misty start: Visibility was bad on the beach at Hayling Island, Hampshire, this morning. However, by lunchtime the south-east was in the sun