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Britain is expexcted to bask in the hottest day of the year on Friday as the country experiences a mini heatwave.
Temperatures are up to 20C on Thursday and may hit 21C in parts of the country on Friday - more than double the average temperature for March and as hot as Spain, Portugal, Turkey and Bermuda.
The unusually balmy temperatures will also continue into the weekend, with more warm and sunny weather.
"It is very warm for March, we're usually looking at a maximum temperature of 11 or 12C at this time of year," said Helen Chivers, of the Met Office.
"We expect tomorrow may be the hottest day of the year so far with temperatures in the Thames Valley and Bristol hitting 20C or even 21C."
Sun worshippers have been flocking to Britain's parks and beaches to make the most of the warm weather.
At Bournemouth beach a deckchair claimed to be the largest in the world was pitched in the sand.
Artist Stuart Murdoch spent three weeks designing and building the huge structure.
The sculpture was commissioned by Pimm's to mark the start of British Summer Time this weekend.
Mr Murdoch, 57, from Falmouth, Cornwall, said: "It has been fantastic to see people on the beach pointing at the chair and having their photo taken with it.
"We arrived very early with some lamps to get the chair up and it was pretty straight forward.
"It's made mostly from steel to stop it blowing off so we needed the crane to put it up."
In Cambridge tourists have been punting and relaxing on the banks of the River Cam.
The sunshine has also helped blossom, daffodils, crocuses and hyacinths to bloom.
"The whole of the country is seeing a fair amount of sunshine," added Helen.
"The dry weather should stay over the weekend with lots of sunny spells."
She said areas nearer the coast will be more cloudy and cooler, with warmer temperatures in the west of Britain.
The mini-heatwave comes after the UK had the driest February for 14 years.
Last March was also dry and warm with temperatures reaching highs of 20C.
The highest March temperature ever in the UK was 25.6C in Mepal, Cambs in 1968. Telegraph
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