Bank Holiday heatwave sees crowds flock to Seaham beach

Queues of traffic were snaking down towards Seaham Hall beach by lunchtime as families from across the North East headed to the coast to cool off. By lunchtime, the main car park was effectively full.

On the beach itself, sunbathers stretched out on towels and deckchairs while children paddled and braver visitors took full‑body dips in the unusually warm North Sea. Some even donned their surfboards as the waves rolled in under cloudless blue skies.

Among those enjoying the sunshine were Will and Marie Wood, from Houghton, who said “It’s lovely to have this on the doorstep.”

Record May Heat for the UK

The Met Office has described this Bank Holiday as an “exceptional spell of warmth for May”, with a notable heatwave officially declared in parts of England.

Forecasts suggested highs of 33–35C in southern and central England on Monday, challenging – and likely surpassing – the previous UK May temperature record of 32.8C.

While the very hottest conditions have been focused further south, the North East has still seen temperatures topping 30C in places, well above the seasonal average for late May.

Meteorologists say the hot, dry and sunny conditions have been driven by an area of high pressure parked over the UK, drawing in warm air and keeping skies largely cloud‑free through the long weekend.

Heatwave Alerts and Health Advice

The UK Health Security Agency has issued a series of heat‑health alerts in response to the conditions, with amber warnings in force across parts of the Midlands, London and the South East, and yellow alerts covering northern England, including the North East. These alerts warn of increased risks for older people and those with underlying health conditions, and they urge the public to check on vulnerable neighbours and relatives, stay hydrated and avoid the midday sun where possible