UK weather: Britons bask in glorious sun on what's set to be the hottest Easter ...

Britons will be sizzled by the sun today as traditional hot spots in Europe are hit by rain and cooler temperatures.

London is likely to hit 25C (77F) today, with temperatures expected to reach into the 20s every day of the Bank Holiday week.

The mercury peaked at 24.1C (75F) at Hearne airfield near Bournemouth yesterday – making it the hottest day of the year so far.

Temperatures in the UK outshone many other countries across the continent, including Spain, Portugal and Italy.

Large parts of Spain were hit with showers, with temperatures remaining at 19C (66F). Portugal (20C) and Italy (21C) were also in Britain’s shadow.

A Met Office forecaster said: 'It's going to be dry, bright and sunny for nearly everybody this weekend. Temperatures are expected to reach into the 20s every day of the four-day break. 

Alex Woolley (left) and Megan Young, both 22, enjoyed the hot weather on Bournemouth beach yesterday, as shown in this picture taken by a drone

Alex Woolley (left) and Megan Young, both 22, enjoyed the hot weather on Bournemouth beach yesterday, as shown in this picture taken by a drone

Lucy Laphan, 21, enjoyed an early morning punt down the River Cam through Cambridge as the UK basks in sunshine yesterday

Lucy Laphan, 21, enjoyed an early morning punt down the River Cam through Cambridge as the UK basks in sunshine yesterday

The Easter heatwave caused thousands to flock to Bournemouth beach yesterday as the holidays get off to a scorching start

The Easter heatwave caused thousands to flock to Bournemouth beach yesterday as the holidays get off to a scorching start

Londoners sunbathed on a patch of grass near the iconic Tower Bridge yesterday afternoon as temperatures soared

Londoners sunbathed on a patch of grass near the iconic Tower Bridge yesterday afternoon as temperatures soared

But Brits abroad have been complaining about the rain in Spain, with five days of downpours forecast for Alicante and Murcia. Pictured: Valencia yesterday

But Brits abroad have been complaining about the rain in Spain, with five days of downpours forecast for Alicante and Murcia. Pictured: Valencia yesterday

Pictured: holidaymakers on the promenade in Marbella hide under umbrellas in downpours yesterday afternoon

Pictured: holidaymakers on the promenade in Marbella hide under umbrellas in downpours yesterday afternoon

Brits abroad were left moaning about the weather, with one saying they were having some 'British rain in Spain'

Brits abroad were left moaning about the weather, with one saying they were having some 'British rain in Spain'

Tierney Rocks, 17, played volleyball in the water at Bournemouth beach in warm temperatures on Good Friday

Tierney Rocks, 17, played volleyball in the water at Bournemouth beach in warm temperatures on Good Friday 

A man and woman kicked back and bathed in the bank holiday sunshine on a massive deck chair in Brighton yesterday

A man and woman kicked back and bathed in the bank holiday sunshine on a massive deck chair in Brighton yesterday

A family lived out the British bank holiday dream on West Bay on the Dorset coast yesterday afternoon

A family lived out the British bank holiday dream on West Bay on the Dorset coast yesterday afternoon

Families played on the beach in Barry Island on Good Friday, taking advantage of the wonderful weather

Families played on the beach in Barry Island on Good Friday, taking advantage of the wonderful weather

Three-year-old Sophia Rickaby played in a bluebell wood in Hampshire yesterday while enjoying the warm Good Friday weather

Three-year-old Sophia Rickaby played in a bluebell wood in Hampshire yesterday while enjoying the warm Good Friday weather

A father and daughter played with a frisbee at Portobello beach in Edinburgh facing the Firth of Forth yesterday

A father and daughter played with a frisbee at Portobello beach in Edinburgh facing the Firth of Forth yesterday

'It is likely to be the warmest Easter Sunday since 2011 and the warmest Easter weekend since 1949.'

Back then, temperatures in Camden Square, London, reached a sweltering 29.4C (84.9F) over the Easter weekend. 

Large parts of Spain were hit with showers yesterday, with temperatures remaining at 19C (66F). Portugal (20C) and Italy (21C) were also in Britain’s shadow. Over in Madrid the temperature is just 10C (50F), while in Alicante the mercury hit 13C.

Plenty of Brits took to Twitter to compare the beautiful blue skies in the UK to the miserable downpours on the continent. 

Andy Hiscox tweeted: 'We are having your Spanish weather this weekend, and you are apparently having some British rain in Spain. Best get yer wellies out spanner!' 

Rosie Drage added: 'Signing out for a bit of a digital detox for 5 days for family time & unfortunately rain in Spain! Happy Easter all!' 

Sunseekers flooded to Bournemouth seafront in Dorset yesterday, desperate to soak up the glorious bank holiday rays. 

Car parks at the seaside resort were chockablock with hotels selling out their rooms to tourists and last-minute holiday makers. 

According to Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council, the sweltering conditions could see hundreds of thousands of pounds spent in the coastal resort.

By midday yesterday, the authority had reported 182 deck chairs being hired out, with 5,000

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