In Pictures: UK basks in heatwave ahead of more dangerous temperatures
It was a bright start to the week for many parts of the country, with the mercury predicted to climb all week.
The current heatwave is expected to last into the weekend with an amber weather warning for extreme heat issued across a large part of the UK ahead of further soaring temperatures this week.
The rare warning was first issued last July. It states that there could be a danger to life or potential serious illness as a result of the scorching temperatures.
The record temperature for this year so far is 32.7C – recorded at Heathrow last month.
For people not at work in South Wales, a day at the beach beckoned.
And for some Londoners a sky-high pool was a great alternative to the seaside.
But it wasn’t only humans finding ways to deal with the heat…