A record-breaking temperature of 34.8 degrees Celsius was recorded at Kew Gardens in south-west London on Saturday, marking the hottest May day ever in the UK and surpassing an 82-year-old record. The temperature also exceeded the previous highest bank holiday temperature of 33.3 degrees Celsius set in August 2019. The Met Office described the heat as "exceptional for mid-summer—let alone May," with forecasts predicting even higher temperatures exceeding 35 degrees Celsius in some areas on Sunday.

Despite the intense heat, hundreds gathered in Gloucestershire to participate in or watch the 200th annual cheese-rolling race at Cooper’s Hill. Contestants raced to catch a wheel of cheese sent hurtling 600 feet down the steep hill, a tradition believed to be more than 600 years old. The chaotic and often hazardous competition saw runners dressed in costumes ranging from superheroes to bubble wrap.

The men's race was won by German YouTuber Tom Kopke, 24, who secured his third consecutive victory by fending off longtime competitor Chris Anderson, a British Army veteran and 23-time champion. Anderson’s son, 11-year-old William, won the first children’s uphill race, continuing the family’s involvement in the event. The women’s race was won by 27-year-old Alix Heugas, a French national residing in Bishop’s Stortford. Heugas, who wore a onesie for the event, called the race “a great bucket list item” despite not having a specific strategy.

As temperatures soared across the country, many sought relief by heading to coastal destinations such as Bournemouth, Bognor, Brighton, and Blackpool. In Kent, young children were seen enjoying the water at Westgate-on-Sea, while visitors at Southend in Essex frequently jumped from the jetty to cool off. UV warnings prompted beachgoers and walkers to take protective measures; for example, a walker at Durdle Door in Dorset wore a loose-fitting dress and carried both a parasol and fan to combat the heat. In London, umbrellas were commonly used as shields against the sun.

While the warm weather offered opportunities for outdoor fun and relaxation, authorities also highlighted associated risks. Lincolnshire Police confirmed that the body found at Swanholme Lakes was that of 15-year-old Declan Sawyer, who reportedly encountered difficulties after entering the water on Sunday. The rising temperatures have raised concerns about water safety and other heat-related dangers.

Bookmakers have responded to the early heat by reducing odds that the 2026 summer will set new records for warmth, reflecting growing public attention on the intensifying climate trend.