UK weather: Crowds hit beaches despite lockdown as Met Office confirms hottest day of the year

High of 27.8C recorded near Heathrow airport

People enjoy the hot weather at Bournemouth beach in Dorset, as people flock to parks and beaches with lockdown measures eased (PA)

The UK has recorded its hottest day of the year so far – with people across the country journeying to jam-packed beaches and beauty spots to make the most of the sunshine for the first time since social distancing rules were eased.

Temperatures hit a peak of 27.8C near Heathrow, up from the previous 2020 high set the day before when the mercury rose to 26.2C.

And with the government having eased rules on trips outside – including those that once barred people looking to drive to far flung areas of natural beauty – thousands took to the nation’s shores with many of England’s top coastal areas appearing rammed with sunbathers.

In the southwest, police serving the area around Barnstaple said traffic wardens were at risk of running out of tickets to issue as people abandoned their cars to head to the North Devon coast.

Thousands of people flocked to Bournemouth beach in Dorset to enjoy the sunshine (PA)

Despite guidance urging people to stay 2m apart to limit the spread of coronavirus, thousands crammed onto the seafront in Brighton (AFP via Getty Images)

In Woolacombe, Devon, one resident took a picture from his house showing gridlocked traffic snaking back as far as the eye could see as people tried to get to the beach (SWNS)

One North Devon police officer wrote on Twitter: “Sadly every double yellow line from Woolacombe to Morthoe is covered with cars and vans. Cars mounting pavements to get by whilst pedestrians try to cross the road. All the offences have been recorded and will be processed in due course.”

Meanwhile images from popular beaches including Southend, Bournemouth and Brighton showed crowds embracing the sunshine – with some questioning on social media how efficiently people could socially distance.

The warm temperatures lured sunbathers across the country and tested the capacity of parks and beaches to accommodate social distanced crowds (Getty Images) (Getty)

People try to observe 2-metre social distancing rules as they queue for ice-creams in Whitby (SWNS ) (SWNS)

Current government regulations allow for people to meet up with someone outside their household as long as they remain 2m apart to limit the potential risk of coronavirus – with no limit on the amount of time the public can spend out in public areas such as parks.

The introduction of the measures, and particularly an easing of the rule which stopped people driving to far away spots, have raised concerns that coastal communities and those who live near beauty spots could see their regions overwhelmed by day-trippers.

People enjoying warm weather on Brighton Beach (SWNS)

In the Lake District locals have erected signs warning the public away, while the park’s chief executive has urged people to ‘consider and respect the local communities’ by staying clear of the region.