London is heading for its first big barbecue weekend of the year as forecasters promise sunshine and balmy temperatures in the low twenties by Bank Holiday Monday.
Supermarkets said they are braced for huge sales of charcoal, burgers and garden furniture as blue skies and genuine warmth finally drive away memories of one the coldest starts to spring on record.
The cold of March and early April does have the silver lining that blossom in London’s green spaces — including on cherry trees in Battersea Park — is in its pomp weeks later than usual.
The glorious sunshine of recent days has also brought out the tourists with visitors following guards marching through St James’s Park.
Forecasters at the Met Office said that while the long weekend would not be “wall-to-wall sunshine” there will be plenty of warm, settled weather.
The temperature will reach highs of about 20C on Saturday and Sunday and 23C on Monday, making it potentially the warmest day of the year.
