Britain has experienced its hottest day of the year so far and the fifth warmest on record as temperatures soared to 38.1C in Kew Gardens.It is the second time the UK has reached 38C this year – with the first being in Lingwood, Norfolk, when the mercury reached 38.0C on June 26.The only other time temperatures have reached 38C twice in a year was in 2022 when the UK recorded its hottest ever temperatures, the Met Office said. Bus drivers are going on strike due to the heat and the Met Office has extended its rare 15-hour amber 'extreme heat' warning, which came into force at 9am this morning.The warning initially covered parts of central and southern England, but at 10am it was extended further west - where the highest temperatures are now expected. The whole of England is separately under a UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) amber heat health alert until tomorrow night, which warns of a 'rise in deaths'.Today is the ninth day of 2026 when temperatures have hit at least 35C; the fourth day of reaching 36C; and the third day of getting to 37C – all three being new records. The Unite union, which represents bus drivers, has said it is too hot too work and have claimed Arriva North London is not taking the issue seriously. More than 1,500 bus drivers will be taking industrial action tomorrow and multiple other days. Stonehenge in Wiltshire is surrounded by dry grass today as the hot and dry weather continues Bournemouth beach is covered with parasols as people head to the coast to enjoy the scorching weather The medieval stone packhorse bridge at Baitings Reservoir in West Yorkshire is exposed today Beachgoers set up camp in Bournemouth, Dorset, located on the south coast of England People have brought their inflatables and kayaks to the seaside as they enjoy a dip in the water People rush to Tynemouth Longsands beach in North Tyneside to enjoy the hot weather today The parched grass of Central Park in Dagenham, east London, today as the drought continues A devastating wildfire ripped through six homes in Newbridge, South Wales - pictured today People sit under umbrellas as others walk along the promenade at Westcliff in Essex today A woman enjoys the sun across the River Thames from St Paul's Cathedral in London today A section of Basingstoke Canal is shut today after drought conditions caused low water levels A woman uses a hand fan and an umbrella in Westminster today during the heatwave A cyclist rests on dry grass with a view of London's skyline from Primrose Hill this afternoon People leave Charing Cross station on the London Underground during the heatwave today The updated area within the Met Office amber warning for 'extreme heat' from 9am to midnight