Mirror image that says summer's nearly here but forecasters warn of frost in places overnight as bathers flock to the beaches to enjoy mini heatwave
- Downpours are predicted on Monday for much of Britain, with only the south and south east escaping
- Forecasters say rural areas in Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire could see a touch of frost
- Britain has endured one of the longest cold streaks for decades, it has emerged
- Seven of the eight months since September 2012 have been colder than usual - with only December average
PUBLISHED: 13:24 GMT, 26 May 2013 | UPDATED: 19:13 GMT, 26 May 2013
A walker pauses before a pool of tranquil water. Behind her, a bank of blooms so vivid and beautiful they take the breath away.
In front of her, a mirror image of the delightful display.
This is England on the cusp of summer â€" although it won’t feel much like it this week.
A woman pauses in front of pond as she enjoys the breathtaking flowers in full bloom at Exbury Garden in the New Forest as England looks on the verge of summer
Azaleas and rhododendrons erupt into a colourful display at Exbury gardens, in the New Forest
But the fine bank holiday weather will be short lived as it becomes colder and breezier with outbreaks of rain
The rest of the week will be an unsettled mix of sunshine and showers and gardeners should even be on the look out for frost
But gardeners in those areas should keep a keen eye on their summer plantings, as clear skies overnight could result in a late spring frost.
Paul Mott, forecaster with MeteoGroup, said: ‘We could see touch of frost in rural areas in Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire.
'While it may be as high as 18C in those places, temperatures will fall to 1C or 2C overnight.’
Bournemouth basks in the sun as the bank holiday sun seekers round off their weekend break
Crowds flocked to the coast on Sunday, including Brighton (pictured), to soak up the glorious bank holiday weekend weather
The glorious sunshine was not wasted by beach goers in Wittering, West Sussex, who pitched up windbreakers to make the most of the sun
Isla Vann- Poletti, two, enjoys the warm sunshine at Wittering as she paddles in the water with her spade
The return of more unsettled conditions comes as it emerged Britain has endured one of the longest cold streaks for decades.
Seven of the eight months since September 2012 have been colder than usual - with only December average.
The last time when Britain endured more than eight consecutive months with temperatures below the norm was in 1978/79, with 10 colder than average months.
But although the next few days are set to be wet and cloudy, the first week of June could see a welcome return of dry, warm weather.
Looking at the week ahead, Met Office forecaster Sarah Holland said unsettled conditions promised a mixture of sunny spells and rain for most of the nation.
She said: ‘It is a mixed bank holiday for most of the country. It is certainly the case that most of the country enjoyed plenty of clear skies and sunshine over the weekend.
‘Unfortunately, today (Monday) many will see a change in conditions, with rain coming in from the west, bringing with it cooler conditions.
Alicia McCormick 13 (left) and her sister Josephine, 11, are clearly enjoying the good weather as they run along the stray in Harrogate
The Stray in Harrogate. The daytrippers should make the most of the sunshine while it lasts, as the rest of the week is set to be much cooler
‘The exception will the south east and eastern parts of the country hanging on to the dry weather for one more day, with potential temperatures up to 20c.’
Crowds flocked to the coast today to soak up the glorious bank holiday weekend weather.
Temperatures could hit 20C (68F) in London and south-east England throughout the day, the mercury could fall to 1C (33.8F) in some rural areas in the south tonight, forecasters said.
Most of England and Wales will enjoy clear skies and sunny spells today but heavy downpours could dampen spirits in the western half of the UK tomorrow, forcing many to spend their day off indoors.
On Monday, weather conditions will be divided between eastern and western parts of the country, Mr Mott said. 'Eastern parts of England will be fine and dry with sunshine and temperatures reaching 18C (64.4F),' he said.
As spring finally arrives this weekend, the dramatic scenery of the Lake District adds to the splendor of the vivid indigo carpet of Bluebells covering the valley floor of Rannerdale
Despite the recent wet weather the sunshine finally brought out the amazing blooms this weekend
