Britons enjoyed hotter temperatures than the Algarve and Madrid today – with Maldon Mud Racers baking in 18C (64F) heat during the annual crawl across the estuary in Essex.

Sunday proved to be a sunny day, even with some rain in the southwest. Temperatures rose slightly to 18C (64F), in central England and south England, as opposed to 17C (62F) when it rained in Portugal. 

The glorious sunshine proved popular with the hundreds of contestants who participated in the Maldon Mud Race – as competitors caked in sludge ran, crawled and slithered their way across the bed of the River Blackwater in Essex.

Competitors wore bizarre costumes as they walked through the 400m mud track. These included Batman suits and Joker costumes, rabbit costumes, and even a bride in a veil and wedding dress.

People also took full advantage of the sun and went to beach, heading to their favorite spots along the coast. Bournemouth was jam-packed with people looking for sun and enjoying the sea. 

The storms that have been battering parts of Portugal and Spain this week are making it difficult for holidaymakers to enjoy their Easter holidays abroad. 

The glorious sunshine proved popular with the hundreds of contestants who participated in the Maldon Mud Race - as competitors caked in sludge ran, crawled and slithered their way across the bed of the River Blackwater in Essex

It was a glorious day for the many contestants in the Maldon Mud Race. Participants covered in sludge crawled, ran and slithered through the River Blackwater in Essex.

Competitors dressed as Batman characters (pictured) to participate in today's notorious Maldon Mud Race

Participants in the Maldon Mud Race today are dressed up as Batman characters.

Newlyweds participate in today's Maldon Mud Race

Newlyweds participate in today's Maldon Mud Race

The competitors wore a veil and a bride-to-be as they walked through the 400m mud track. This was after two years of hiatus due to the Covid pandemic.

Today’s Maldon Mud Race, in Essex, features a competitor dressed in a rabbit costume. It resumed today after a two-year hiatus because of the Covid pandemic.

One competitor, who was covered in thick sludge, clutched his GoPro and tried to cover his modesty

One competitor, who was covered in thick sludge, clutched his GoPro and tried to cover his modesty

Britons enjoyed hotter temperatures than the Algarve and Madrid today - with beachgoers baking in 18C (64F) heat on Bournemouth beach

Today, the British enjoyed higher temperatures than Madrid and Algarve today, with Bournemouth beachgoers enjoying 18C (64F), heat

Sunday was a dry day for most, with patchy rain clearing in the southwest and temperatures up slightly to around 18C (64F) in central and southern England, compared to just 17C (62F) in rainy Portugal. Pictured: A field of bright yellow rapeseed in Ipsden, Oxfordshire

Sunday was dry for the majority, except where there was some drizzle in the southwest. The temperatures rose slightly to 18C (64F) centrally and south England. This is a marked difference from 17C (62F) when it rained in Portugal. Pictured: Bright yellow rapeseed fields in Ipsden (Oxfordshire). 

A member of the public cycles past  cherry blossom trees in full bloom in The Meadows in Edinburgh on Sunday morning

A member of the public cycles past  cherry blossom trees in full bloom in The Meadows in Edinburgh on Sunday morning 

Britons out enjoying the warm weather on Sunday whilst out punting on the River Cam in Cambridge before cooler weather is forecast for next week

Britons enjoy the sunny weather Sunday while they go punting on River Cam in Cambridge. Then, it will be cooler next week.

Beachgoers made the most of the glorious sunshine today and headed to their favourite costal spots, with Bournemouth beach packed full of sun-seekers topping up their tans and enjoying the sea, before the start of a new week

The sun shone today, so beachgoers took advantage of the beautiful weather and made their way to their favorite coastal locations. Bournemouth was packed full of people looking for sun and enjoyed the sea before heading home.

One man was pictured in the sea on Bournemouth beach today enjoying the water. It comes as severe storms have been sweeping across parts of Spain and Portugal - leaving many holidaymakers in turmoil over their Easter breaks abroad

A man enjoying the waves at Bournemouth’s beach was captured today. This comes at a time when severe storms are sweeping through parts of Spain, Portugal and causing chaos for holidaymakers on Easter break abroad.

According to the Met Office, it was cloudy first with northeasterly winds. However, a sunny day will develop with variable clouds and some sunshine.

Feeling warm and protected from the winds, although wind chills may be a little more severe. Maximum temperature 20C.’

But, weather forecasters warned that there will be a cold snap tonight with temperatures dropping below 3C (37F). This could lead to morning frosts. Over the sheltered regions of Britain to the west and north. 

Some areas of England will see scattered showers at the beginning of the week. However, it will be cooler than normal for most people. Otherwise, the weather will remain dry and sunny with some sunshine. 

Forecasters say that Britons should expect colder nights and wintry mornings in the inland, and rural regions as we move towards the week’s end.

However, the UK looks set to enjoy a mild week of sunshine in spring as “most areas remain dry” with showers possible later on.

However, forecasters have warned of a cold snap this evening and temperatures dropping to a minimum of 3C (37F) - with morning frosts across sheltered parts of the north and west of Britain. Pictured: Britons walk past stunning cherry blossom trees in The Meadows in Edinburgh

But, weather forecasters are predicting a cold snap tonight with temperatures dropping to at least 3C (37F). Morning frosts will also be possible in parts of Britain that are sheltered. Pictured: Britons walk past stunning cherry blossom trees in The Meadows in Edinburgh

A cyclist riding in the bright morning sunshine on Wimbledon Common, south west London earlier today

Today’s cyclist was seen riding on Wimbledon Common in the morning sunlight. 

Sun-seekers enjoy the summery weather on Bournemouth beach as families lined up along the coast

Bournemouth Beach is a great spot for sun-seekers, with families lining up to enjoy the warm weather. 

A couple walk their two dogs in the bright morning sunshine on Wimbledon Common, south west London earlier today

The bright sunshine of Wimbledon Common in south-west London was a perfect setting for a couple to walk their dogs. 

A couple top up their tans on the sandy beach of Bournemouth before a cold snap is expected from tomorrow

Before tomorrow’s cold snap, a couple tans themselves on Bournemouth’s sandy beaches. 

Pictured: A cyclist rides through Wimbledon Common, south west London this morning

Pictured: Today’s morning ride by a bicycle through Wimbledon Common. 

Pictured: Sunbathers enjoying the glorious sunshine weather on Bournemouth Beach this morning

Pictured: Sunbathers enjoy the beautiful sunshine on Bournemouth Beach this Morning

Pictured: A couple sit with their dogs on a park bench on Wimbledon Common, south west London as temperatures reach 18C in the UK

Pictured: A couple sit with their dogs on a park bench on Wimbledon Common, south west London as temperatures reach 18C in the UK

Met Office stated that the start of this season is likely to be dry, with some sunny and clear spells and variable cloud. After colder night in rural and inland areas, it is possible to have frosty mornings. 

The majority of areas are still dry. Showers may be possible in the North, then later to the South. The southwest will likely be dry, while the south may occasionally get breezy. 

“The May start is likely to settle across the UK, with sunny or clear spells in an area of high tension. 

“Most areas remain dry but there are possible showers at times, especially for those in the north or northeast, which could cause heavy rains. 

The east coast is likely to see the strongest winds, with light winds. The temperature is between normal and slightly above.

After that comes the best Last Friday was the hottest day in the year, reaching 23.4C (74.12F), at St James’s Park.

Saturday was another hot day. It wasn’t far from the record for this year, when Cardiff recorded 21.2C (70.16F).

After Easter Sunday, temperatures began to drop, with 20.2C (68.36F), the highest temperature in Northolt west London.