In Pictures: UK tries to keep cool as heat warning issued on year’s hottest day

Temperatures hit 34.8C in Cambridge on Monday, which was declared the hottest day of the year for the UK so far.

Published Aug 12

People sought out water and shade as they tried to keep cool during what has been declared the hottest day of the year for the UK so far.

There was a sharp peak of heat and humidity on Monday, with temperatures soaring as high as 34.8C in Cambridge and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) issuing several yellow heat health warnings for parts of England.

Temperatures are expected return to average levels on Tuesday, according to the Met Office, which also issued a yellow warning for thunderstorms on Monday for northern England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

People paddle in the sea with a ship in the background — Beachgoers enjoy the weather at Southend-on-Sea in Essex (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

A man uses a fan on the London Underground's Piccadilly Line — On a particularly tough day for commuters, a man in London uses a fan on the Tube’s Piccadilly Line (James Manning/PA)

Someone paddleboarding with a pier in the background — Paddleboarding at Clevedon Marine Lake in Clevedon, Somerset (Ben Birchall/PA)

Rowers on a river watched by a man on the riverbank — These people on the river Avon in Warwick sought out water in another way (Jacob King/PA)

People sit on colourful beanbags — People enjoy the warm weather in Granary Square, London (Jordan Pettitt/PA)

Crowds of people shaded by trees look out at people having fun around a fountain — Seeking shade is another important way of enjoying the hot weather safely (Jordan Pettitt/PA)