Monday is forecast to be the hottest bank holiday on record with “historic” temperatures of 34°C predicted in Oxfordshire and south-east England.

It comes after the UK saw its hottest May day for at least 79 years on Sunday with a high of 32.3°C at Kew Gardens in south-west London.

Tom Morgan, a Met Office meteorologist, told the Press Association: “We rarely see temperatures above 35°C, even in the summer months, so to see temperatures getting close to 35°C in May is, as I say, pretty historic.”

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A “historic” heatwave is hitting the UK. (Image: Jonathan Brady / PA Wire)

The Met Office said heatwave conditions were met in eight parts of England on Sunday, including Benson in Oxfordshire.

Although Monday is set to be hot for many parts of England, north-west Scotland will be breezier and damper with thicker clouds.

Saturday was the first time this year that the UK had passed 30°C and Sunday saw the hottest recorded May temperature since 1947.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) issued its first amber health alert of 2026 on Friday, warning that there is a risk of a significant impact across health and social care services. The alert will remain in place until Wednesday.

The heat is considered to be dangerous for some vulnerable groups, including older adults, as their bodies struggle to regulate temperature.

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Age UK recommends staying inside during the hottest hours of the day, between 11am and 3pm, and having regular cold baths or showers.

Age UK charity director Caroline Abrahams said: “We can all help older people stay safe during periods of hot weather by checking in on older relatives, friends and neighbours to see if they need anything or are struggling with the heat.

“Offering to pick up shopping or medication, or even lending a fan, can make a real difference.”

The Met Office is also encouraging people to be WeatherReady this Bank Holiday weekend as temperatures are set to rise, with many expected to head outdoors and to the coast.

Ashley Jones, Head of Water Safety & Education at Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK), said: “As air temperatures rise, it’s important people don’t underestimate the risks associated with entering open water.

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” Even during a heatwave, water will remain dangerously cold, and cold water shock is a very real danger.

“Sudden immersion can cause an involuntary gasp, rapid breathing and panic, which can quickly lead to a loss of control in the water – even for strong swimmers.

“We’re urging the public to choose lifeguarded locations wherever possible, where safety measures and supervision are in place.

“If you are spending time near water with children, always supervise them closely, keep them within arm’s reach, and consider dressing them in brightly coloured swimwear to improve visibility.

“Open water environments are very different from controlled swimming areas. There may be hidden hazards beneath the surface, strong currents, and colder temperatures that can seriously affect your ability to swim.

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“It’s vital to respect your limits, avoid swimming alone, and talk to your family about water safety before you visit.

“If you see someone in trouble, don’t be tempted to enter the water to rescue them.

“Instead, call 999, encourage them to float on their back, and throw something that floats to assist them.

“Taking simple precautions can help prevent tragedies and ensure everyone stays safe while enjoying the water during warmer weather.”

Specsavers Thame is marking the arrival of the new TED by Ted Baker eyewear collection with two in-store raffles, one of which gives customers the chance to win a pair of designer frames.

Neil Perry, store director at Specsavers Thame, said: “We’re always looking for new and engaging ways to bring our community together while supporting important causes.

“The launch of the TED by Ted Baker range felt like the perfect opportunity to do something a little different, combining style with fundraising.

“The response so far has been fantastic – people are really enjoying getting involved, trying on the new frames and having a bit of fun with the photo booth.

“At the same time, we’re proud to be raising money for Cancer Research UK and making a small contribution to the incredible work they do.”

The first raffle offers the chance to win a cuddly ‘Teddy Baker’ toy, with a suggested donation of £1 a strip and all proceeds donated to Cancer Research UK.

The second raffle offers a chance to win a pair of TED by Ted Baker frames from the new collection, with single vision lenses included.

Entry is free or with an optional donation, and customers simply need to try on a pair of the new frames and have their photo taken with a Polaroid camera in a photo booth-style setup.

The raffles are open until the end of the day on May 31, with winners to be drawn shortly afterwards.

Specsavers Thame can be found at 109 High Street.

The University of Oxford and Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust project created a therapeutic horticulture garden at the Meadow Unit, a Tier 4 Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) psychiatric intensive care unit.

Designed for young people in acute mental health crisis who need intensive, highly supervised care, the unit featured an outdoor area that staff described as ‘barren’ and ‘depressing’.

The project was part of a broader study into how nature can support recovery and benefit wellbeing for both patients and staff, funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Oxford Health Biomedical Research Centre.

One co-researcher reflected: “It was so barren out there and depressing… so actually having some wildlife there, some plants, some bees, it adds some humanity.”

The scheme was developed through co-production, with medical and non-medical staff, ex-service users, estates colleagues, researchers, and a therapeutic horticulturalist collaborating over seven sessions between January and July 2024.

They discussed all aspects of the garden, prioritising colour, scent, herbs for cooking, places to sit, things to touch while ensuring every plant met strict safety requirements.

Estates staff improved topsoil and installed a cladded path for safe, mud-free access.

A layered planting design was selected to encourage biodiversity and attract pollinators while remaining safe and manageable.

On planting days, team members – including consultants, nurses, ex-service users, and receptionists – worked side by side in the soil, sparking discussions about where to put the lavender.

As the garden took shape, staff reported seeing more worms and bees.

The sensory engagement with the space was seen as a small but meaningful improvement to the environment.

Even patients unable to access the garden directly benefited from the view.

One staff member recalled how a patient in longer-term segregation quietly watched a flowerbed grow throughout the summer.

The garden became a ‘different horizon’ within the unit’s secure architecture.

Staff described the space as ‘a way out of the pressure cooker,’ while the project itself softened workplace hierarchies by encouraging collective, non-clinical activity.

Researchers named the approach ‘Hybrid Green Spaces’ – therapeutic environments that blur the boundaries between built and natural, inside and outside, patient and staff.

The team now advocates for treating green spaces as core therapeutic infrastructure within NHS care, not just peripheral amenities.

They believe that by supporting ‘ecological collective flourishing,’ it’s possible to create systems that care for both people and the environment.

The project was shaped by contributions from PICU staff, ex-service users, estate services, and Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) contributors, whose lived experiences enriched the development of the project.