Racegoers at Newmarket on Saturday were seen desperately trying to quench their thirst, as temperatures in some parts of the country soared to 34C. 

Well-dressed attendees this year donned hand-held fans and used umbrellas as accessories to shade themselves from the blistering sun, with many opting for a Pimms or a glass of rosé to try and cool down. 

The historic race-horsing festival in Suffolk kicked off its final day today in style, as jockeys competed for the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai July Cup.  

Temperatures peaked at 28C today in Newmarket racecourse, where women in their finest frocks struggled under their fascinators to stay cool. 

The festival comes as yellow and amber heat health alerts which had been issued by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) for large parts of England and Wales have now been extended. 

Amber heat health alerts are now in place for the West Midlands and the South West from 9am on Sunday until 9pm on Wednesday. 

This means significant impacts are likely across health and social care services due to the high temperatures, including a rise in deaths, particularly among those aged 65 and over, or with health conditions. 

Yellow heat health alerts were posted for the East Midlands, the North West, the South East, the East of England and London, and will also be in place from 9am on Sunday until 9pm on Wednesday. 

A jug of Pimms was the go-to refreshment for another well-dressed woman 

The joys of a hand-held fan: One woman was relieved from the heat by the breeze from a small fan, which seems a popular accessory at this year’s races  

Pastel blue dresses were a popular choice this year 

Elsewhere in the country, people flocked to the beach to cool down. Pictured: Brighton beach on Saturday

Record temperatures continued to be announced this week, as the Met Office confirmed that temperatures peaked at 35.2C at Coton in the Elms, Derbyshire yesterday afternoon. 

The heatwave across the UK looks set to continue as 2026 became the first year to record temperatures of 35C on six separate days, and emergency services warned of ‘extreme’ wildfire risks over the weekend.

The London Fire Brigade (LFB) also urged people not to use disposable barbecues over the weekend over fears of the dry heat leading to fires.

The Metropolitan Police is worried about excessive calls, with England set to play Norway in a quarter-final of the Fifa World Cup tonight. 

The Met has urged people to avoid getting in touch for non-emergencies amid a surge in 999 calls during the hot weather.

Forecasters have said areas of England and Wales will continue to exceed 30C throughout the weekend and into next week.

The Met has also warned of possible thunderstorms from Monday in parts of the south, but overall another very dry week to come.

Met Office deputy chief forecaster David Hayter, said: ‘Areas of central and southern England and Wales are expected to see several more consecutive days of temperatures above 30C.

Racegoers soldiered on through the heat for the final day of the Newmarket Festival 

Some racegoers opted for a bit of bubbly to quench their thirst  

The historic race-horsing festival in Suffolk kicked off in style on Saturday 

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‘While temperatures are expected to reach into the low to mid-30s through the weekend, the focus of the heat will gradually shift towards western parts of the UK.

‘This will also bring some slightly cooler and cloudier conditions to eastern coastal areas than of recent days. It will also turn windier across southern areas, bringing breezier conditions, especially along coasts and headlands.

‘The main exception to the largely dry and sunny conditions is northern Scotland, where a cold front is bringing rain, cloud and some heavy downpours on Friday. But conditions are expected to improve over the weekend.

‘There is a possible increase in thunderstorms from Monday in parts of the south, however most areas will remain dry, sunny and very warm into the coming week.’

The former 35C on separate days record was held by 1976 and 2020 during which five days were recorded with temperatures over 35C.

2026 also become the first year to see temperatures of 35C or higher in three calendar months – and broke the record for most temperatures of 34C or higher, with nine so far this summer.

Water firms have also announced hosepipe bans for the east of England, Cambridge, Hampshire, the Isle of Wight and areas of Kent.

Strain on water supplies has intensified after the successive heatwaves followed a record warm spring for England and Wales.

Elsewhere in the country, suntanned walkers braved the heat on an arid-looking Wimbledon Common today 

In Bristol, people also shaded from the heat with multi-coloured umbrellas as they enjoyed a river walk 

It comes as the UK faces growing pressure on its water system as human-driven climate change disrupts rainfall patterns and drives more extreme weather events.

This has been compounded by population increases as well as years of under-investment in infrastructure putting further strain on the system, including no new reservoirs being built in 30 years and leaking pipes.

Hosepipe restrictions came into force on Friday for about one million Southern Water customers across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

On Friday morning, Anglian Water also announced a hosepipe ban for its more than five million customers in the east of England.

The ban will come into force from 1am on Saturday but the utility has asked that people ‘live within the spirit of these restrictions immediately’.

In a notice on Thursday afternoon, Cambridge Water announced a temporary hosepipe ban for its 350,000 customers, which came into effect immediately but enforcement actions will not start until 1am on July 17.

This marks the first time in three decades it has introduced the restriction, with the company saying teams are working around the clock to maintain supplies.

South East Water became the first to introduce a ban on July 3 for areas of Kent, including those in Ashford, Canterbury, Faversham, Maidstone, Sevenoaks, Snodland, Tenterden and Tunbridge Wells.