Giving it their best shot! Festival goers enjoy day of better weather at Bestival after drinkers braved storms for night out
Revellers at Bestival were finally able to enjoy the event today as stormy weather made way for beautiful sunshine, while clubbers across the UK battled the elements for a night out.
Despite Storm Evert battering Britain yesterday, Camp Bestival still went ahead for 30,000 party-goers at Lulworth Castle in Dorset.
Curator Rob da Bank said: 'We've been through everything and are ready for anything - our customers are very hardy - we'll get through it.'
Excited revellers at the site made the most of the fine weather as they enjoyed performances from Fatboy Slim, M People's Heather Small and the Cuban Brothers.
Claire Collins, 43, from London, who was there with her two children, said: 'It's just so nice to be out seeing people and watching live music again.
'After such a long time not being able to do the things that we love it's great to be out. After the storm yesterday, the sun's out and we are having a great time.'
Today at Bestival the stormy weather made way for fine sunshine as colourful crowds made the most of the good weather
People enjoy the much needed sunshine at Bestival following stormy weather which battered tents and delayed opening
Meanwwhile, people in Leeds braved the heavy rain for a night on the town last night.
Britain is expected to see some sunshine in the North and West today but there will be heavy rain in parts of East, Central and South England this afternoon.
The storm battered the South West with 75mph wind, seriously injuring two women under a tree and forcing festivals to delay their starts and move camps.
Meteorologists expect the heavy gales to die down by tomorrow, when it will feel a little warmer and start to dry out apart from in the South and South East of England where some will be thundery.
Some braved the conditions and headed out despite the rain and strong winds, armed only with an umbrella for a night out in Leeds
Women heading out in Leeds had to brave the blustery conditions with umbrellas catching the strong winds on Friday night
Two girls on a night out in Leeds share a hood as they brave the wet weather caused by Storm Evert yesterday
In Leeds, revellers headed out into the city centre to party for the start of the weekend in spite of the miserable summer weather
Revellers took to the streets and relished the opportunity for a night out with no Covid restrictions despite the poor weather
Family with a baby in a covered pram stroll across Putney Bridge in London on Saturday during unpredictable showers
Two pedestrians take cover under their umbrellas during unpredictable weather in Putney on Saturday, while a third dressed for summer runs to find shelter
Rain has fallen for much of this weekend with unpredictable showers to continue into next week (Pictured: Cyclist and couple on Putney Bridge on Saturday)
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Shoppers dart across Oxford Street amid a heavy downpour in London on Friday as storms continue to wreak havoc across the country
Next week, the weather will continue to be unsettled across England and Wales, with showers and some sunshine
The Met Office said: 'The changeable conditions continue to dominate the picture for the first half of August. A mixture of sunny spells and showers, with some drier interludes, is the general pattern expected through this period for all.
'Some of these showery spells may merge to give slightly longer spells of rain. At first, scattered showers for most, with some thunderstorms likely to develop from these. Torrential downpours are likely in some places.
'Winds generally remaining breezy, with temperatures expected to be near to average, perhaps slightly above average in northern areas.
'Through the remainder of this period, it will likely turn settled, though a few showers cannot be ruled out, especially in southeastern areas.
'Drier weather than recently, with sunny spells for most through to mid-August, with temperatures trending above average.'
Tents and awnings collapsed at Camp Bestival in Dorset yesterday and organisers delayed opening the public arenas and gates.
Staycationers were warned to take extra care while camping and driving on coastal roads as the storm blew into the South West of the country, as it continued to gather pace and swept east along the south coast.
Drinkers shelter under umbrellas in Soho as they enjoy a Friday night in central London during the wet July weather
Despite the miserable conditions, many braved the rain to enjoy the start to their weekends in Soho as they headed to the pubs and bars armed with umbrellas
Some who headed out on Friday night were well prepared in waterproof coats for a night drinking alfresco in the rain
People stand in the rain at the wet and windy Farmfest event being held at Bruton in Somerset this morning
Clouds loom above the Ageas Bowl in Southampton during the Hundred match between Southern Brave and Birmingham Phoenix
This tent in Cornwall failed to withstand the heavy winds, a fate shared by many across the south of England last night
The usually crowded streets of Soho were much more sedate on Friday night as revellers were turned away by the inclement weather
Hundreds braved the wet weather to attend the GALA music festival in south London on Saturday
Festivalgoer at GALA in South London is all smiles despite the wet weather on Saturday
Revellers remain unfazed by the rain at the GALA festival at Peckham Rye Park in London
In Cornwall, guests at the Bedruthan Steps Campsite were moved to a field which is better protected from the wind, while Sarah Weeks from clifftop glamping site Seaview Tipis told guests to 'pack up and go' for their safety.
Meanwhile the three-day Rock Oyster Festival - where Sophie Ellis-Bexter is headlining tomorrow - is under threat and delayed opening on its site at Dinham House in St Minver, Cornwall, until midday today due to the storm.
Camp Bestival is still going ahead for the 30,000 attendees as it stands, with curator Rob da Bank saying: 'We've been through everything and are ready for anything - our customers are very hardy - we'll get through it.'
An amber 'danger to life' wind warning was issued ahead of 'unseasonably strong winds and heavy rain'. The worst conditions were in Cornwall, where gusts of between 55mph and 75mph were hitting coastal areas.
Downpours added to the miserable conditions for the thousands of families on holiday in Britain at the moment.
But drinkers braved the rain for a night out on Friday, with many huddling under umbrellas and raincoats as they headed for shelter in pubs and clubs.
Hundreds also braved the wet weather to flock to the GALA festival at Peckham Rye Park in South London on Saturday.
Forecasters have warned of possible damage to buildings, fallen trees, power cuts and cancellations to rail, air and ferry services, as the storm brings a 'wet and windy' day today for the southern and central regions of the country.
Evert is the first named storm since Darcy in February. A Dutch boy's name meaning 'shepherd', it was chosen by Holland's KNMI forecasting service, which works with the Met Office to name storms in western Europe.