And a yellow weather warning for thunderstorms is in place for much of the country from Thursday to Saturday, warning of disruption due to flooding, lightning strikes, hail and wind.
Met Office Chief Meteorologist Steve Willington, said: “Although many areas will enjoy dry and sunny weather over the next few days, the high temperatures will trigger thunderstorms which may cause flooding and disruption in a few places."
The temperature in London around 3pm on Thursday hit 33.3C, breaking the record set the day before, the Met Office said.
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A woman walks on a busy Camber Sands beachCredit: Alamy Live News
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A swimmer jumps into the water at BrightonCredit: �2020 Stephen Lock / i-Images
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Thousands of people gathered at Bournemouth beach on ThursdayCredit: PA:Press Association
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Maia Benstead (left) and Lauren Sharpe emerge from the water in Bridlington, East YorkshireCredit: PA:Press Association
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Friends (from left) Kelly Ann Lloyd, Annie Marsh, Eleanor Clarke and Olivia Martin enjoy the sun at Thorpe Bay beach in EssexCredit: Louis Wood - The Sun
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Eager crowds make their way to Camber Sands beachCredit: Alamy Live News
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A sunbather enjoys the warm weather at Brighton beachCredit: �2020 Stephen Lock / i-Images
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Cops told thousands to go home and leave Bournemouth beachCredit: Getty Images - Getty
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A swimmer leaps into the water at Brighton beachCredit: �2020 Stephen Lock / i-Images
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Pals attempt to ride the waves in BournemouthCredit: Getty Images - Getty
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Brighton beach was packed with sunseekers looking to make the most of the warm weatherCredit: EPA
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Sunbathers soak up the rays at Bournemouth beachCredit: Simon Jones - The Sun
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Emergency crews said they were left "completely overstretched" by crowds at Bournemouth beachCredit: Bournemouth News
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Police arrive at Bournemouth beach as a "major incident" is declaredCredit: Simon Jones - The Sun
"Heathrow has matched yesterday's 32.6C and is likely to rise further this afternoon," the Met Office tweeted at 2pm.
The temperature then climbed to 33.3C an hour later.
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Crowds splash around in the Hackney Canal this afternoonCredit: London News Pictures
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A sunbather takes a selfie at a busy Brighton beachCredit: London News Pictures
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A woman works out at Primrose Hill on Thursday afternoonCredit: Evening Standard
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Two pals jump into the sea at BrightonCredit: EPA
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Swimmers walk around the edge of the Warleigh Weir on the River Avon near BathCredit: � Andrew Lloyd
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A group of friends search for a spot at Bournemouth beachCredit: Simon Jones - The Sun
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A swimmer flips into the water below at Brighton beachCredit: London News Pictures
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A swimmer does a back flip at Brighton beachCredit: EPA
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Friends (from left) Eilidh McEwan, Yasmin Chauhdry and Kara Dakin in Kelvingrove Park, GlasgowCredit: Willie Vass - The Sun
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Beachgoers make their way to the shore at Camber Sands beachCredit: Alamy Live News
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A member of the Coldstream Guards drinks a glass of water while on duty at Buckingham PalaceCredit: London News Pictures
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Crowds enjoy the warm weather at Bournemouth beachCredit: Getty Images - Getty
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Isobel Lines makes a splash at Bosworth Water Park in WarwickshireCredit: Caters News Agency
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Two friends enjoy the sun at Clapham Common in LondonCredit: PA:Press Association
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Sunbathers relax on the sand in BournemouthCredit: Alamy Live News
An air ambulance helicopter landed on the beach around noon after the woman suffered a "medical episode" according to police.
The Met Office raised its heat alert level to three and health authorities urged sun seekers to protect themselves amid the "exceptionally hot weather forecast this week".
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Swimmers in the water at Bournemouth beachCredit: w8media
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Students (from left) Miguel Pina, Ellie Fellick, and Thomas Reeves share a laugh at Brighton beachCredit: Evening Standard
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Friends Victoria and Constanta enjoy the water at Brighton BeachCredit: Evening Standard
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Sunbathers relax at Battersea Park in LondonCredit: w8media
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A cyclist rides through Richmond Park in London on Thursday morningCredit: Rick Findler
Forecaster also warned people can get sunburnt in just 15 minutes.
Public Health England said older people, those with underlying health conditions, and very young children were all more at risk from the higher temperatures.
People have been advised to keep cool and stay hydrated where possible.
Ultra-violet rays were expected to reach level nine across parts of Devon and Cornwall.
Met Office meteorologist Alex Burkill said that UV levels would "reach eight across many places and would reach nine across parts of Devon and Cornwall".
He said: "That's about as high as it gets really in the UK. The sun is as strong as it gets at the moment because we're so close to the solstice.
"We've got peak sun strength, clear skies, plenty of sunshine - they're the perfect ingredients for high UV."
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A beachgoer heads to the shore at Bournemouth beach on ThursdayCredit: w8media
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Members of the Vault 164 gym workout outside on Hove Lawns, BrightonCredit: Alamy Live News
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Swimmers head out for a morning dip in Brighton on ThursdayCredit: Alamy Live News
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Crowds gather at a park in Manchester city centreCredit: Splash News
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Beachgoers at Camber Sands on ThursdayCredit: Alamy Live News
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The sun rises over Glastonbury on what would have been the first day of the festival's 50th yearCredit: Splash News
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Glastonbury was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemicCredit: Splash News
Emer O'Connell, consultant in public health at PHE, said it was important that people kept checking on the vulnerable, as many continued to spend more time at home due to coronavirus.
