Saturday has been the hottest day of the year so far, with temperatures topping 32C, according to BBC weather.
Large areas of Britain basked in sunshine with the hottest regions - the east and south-east of England - boasting temperatures rivalling those of the Caribbean.
Most of the UK enjoyed temperatures in the high 20s, albeit with some showers in the west and Wales and cooler temperatures in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Temperatures rivalled those of the Caribbean on Saturday
The hottest day of 2012 recorded so far was on 25 July, when it reached 31.4C at the Olympic Park in east London.
Earlier on Saturday, MeteoGroup forecaster Gemma Plumb, said: "There is the potential for it to be the hottest day, with the highest temperatures expected to be across East Anglia, south-east England and parts of the East Midlands.
"Temperatures will be between 29C and 31C but I can't rule out it reaching 32C."
The Caribbean islands are currently experiencing temperatures of between 30C and 32C, she added.
A woman rollerblades, as people enjoy the sun in Hyde Park, central London
The heat meant a warm start to the Premier League season, with games including Arsenal v Sunderland at the Emirates, Newcastle United v Tottenham Hotspur at the Sports Direct Arena and West Bromwich Albion v Liverpool at the Hawthorns, while West Ham mark their return to the top flight at home to Aston Villa at Upton Park.
The weather also made conditions difficult for the cricketers at Lords where England played South Africa.
Other events taking place this weekend include the V Festival at Hylands Park, Chelmsford and Weston Park, Staffordshire, with headline sets from The Stone Roses and The Killers and other bands including Rizzle Kicks, The Enemy, Pixie Lott, Dappy, The Human League and The Proclaimers.
The baking heat looks set to continue on Sunday, said Gareth Harvey, a forecaster with MeteoGroup.