Britain's blazing Bank Holiday: Sunseekers around the country flock to the water's edge and enjoy temperatures as high as 22.2C Temperatures soared across the UK today, peaking at 21C in Doncaster, South Yorkshire, and central London Britain has been hotter than many traditionally sunny European countries over the Bank Holiday weekend But warm air moving in over cold sea water covered beaches along the south east with a thick mist More sea fog may hit coastal areas across the south tomorrow as forecasters warn rain is on the way on Wednesday Britons enjoyed basking in the sunshine today as temperatures soared to 22.2C in one of the warmest Bank Holiday weekends the UK has seen in recent years - but forecasters warn rain is on the way on Wednesday. England and Wales were today warmer than many traditionally sunny European countries including the Med and Venice in Italy as temperatures peaked at 22.2C in central London. However, although it was warm in most areas the temperatures today failed to better the hottest day of the year so far which was recorded as 73 F (23.1C) in Faversham, Kent, on April 25th. There was a marked difference between the warmest and coldest places in Britain today, as Stornoway in the North West of Scotland reached a peek of only 9.5C. Britons flocked to beaches around the country to make the most of the blistering heat, but many found themselves suddenly shrouded in a bizarre fog. Brighton may have been packed with sun worshipers but the temperature cooled when warm air moving in over cold sea water covered the beach with a thick sea mist. Full to the brim: Soaring temperatures brought huge Bank Holiday crowds to the beach at Brighton today Leisure time: Families and groups of friends packed out Brighton beach as they made the most of the extra day off work Making the most of it: Sunbathers enjoy the warm weather on Brighton beach on the last day of the Bank Holiday weekend today Decked out: Two friends relax on deck chairs on the beach in Brighton today Unusual: The thick sea fog covered much of the east coast of England, including Brighton, pictured, today as warm air moved in over cool water Mystical: Corfe Castle in Dorset surrounded by sea mist which moved up along the eastern coastline today The rare sea fog left many sun-seekers in Bournemouth and Sussex struggling to even see a few metres in front of them, let alone soak up any sun, after a clear sky was quickly replaced with thick mist moving in off the ocean. The weather phenomenon is caused by warm air passing over the chilly sea water, which is much cooler than normal after the cold weather in March, and turning into mist. The sea mist, which slowly edged eastwards along England's coastline throughout the day, kept the temperature down until it gradually began to clear and the sun broke through. The mist developed along the south coast over night, and was gone in the East by mid day but there is still fog in the west between Dorset and Cornwall. Tweet tweet: Victoria Beckham only had to go to her back garden for a spring treat as she found a nest of newly hatched chicks Scenic: Hundreds of sunseekers flocked to Tynemouth baech, North Tyneside today to enjoy the warm bank holiday weather Contrasting colours: Isabella Ward enjoys the sunshine among the colourful tulips in Britain's last remaining bulbfields Photographer James Boardman said the creeping mist was incredibly eerie and so thick it was impossible to see the beach from Brighton's pier. He said: 'I've seen sea mist before but nothing like this. It was coming and going all morning. One minute it would be sunny and the next there was suddenly thick mist that came on with very little warning. Standing on the pier, it was difficult to even make out the beach. You could have just as easily been out in the middle of the Channel. It was very eerie. A lot of people on the beach were taking pictures and saying how strange it was. No one panicked or got scared though - everyone just waited it out so they could enjoy the sunshine again. The mist finally moved away around 1.30pm but it looked like it was moving further up the coast. Sun in the capital: Londoners flocked to Richmond to experience the sun in a classic setting Riverbank: People enjoying the hot sunny weather on the Bank Holiday Monday in London and surrounding areas Taking to the water: Richmond saw dozens of locals use the River Thames and go on boats Battle ground: Sir Jasper, pictured left, and Sir Sam, pictured right, from the Knights of Royal England perform in a jousting tournament at Blenheim Palace, near Woodstock, Oxfordshire Swordplay: Lord Ashley, pictured left, and Sir Sam, pictured right, from the Knights of Royal England go head to head in jousting tournament at Blenheim Palace, near Woodstock, Oxfordshire Lush day: A crowded beach on Barry Island, south Wales, as the sun comes out on Bank Holiday Monday Ready, set, go! Youngsters enjoying the weather by jumping into the sea with an inflatable killer whale at Barry Island, Wales Catching fire: Fire crews tackle a large grass fire on Cannock Chase in Staffordshire - designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty This weekend has still been a big improvement on last year's Bank Holiday weekend, which saw rain and a temperature high of 16C (60.8F) at Exeter Airport. Londoners took to the River Thames as thousands travelled to idyllic Richmond to soak up the sun. In the south of Wales,hundreds of people enjoyed the beach at Barry Island, a resort that was featured in BBC's Gavin & Stacey. The beach was packed, with youngsters throwing themselves from the pier into the sea to cool off. Met Office forecaster Calum McColl said: 'Most places had a sunny, dry Bank Holiday and even Tuesday will be fine in most places.' Plenty of room: But there were only a handful of families enjoying the sun on Britain's newest beach in Colwyn Bay - because so few people know it is there Forecaster Mr McColl continued: 'By midweek there will be a few showers developing and if you get caught underneath one of those you'll know about it as it will be on the heavy side. 'The worst hit parts will be in the north, but the south won't be immune to the wet weather.' He said a band of rain coming in from the West will bring more unsettled weather for the rest of the week. Enjoying the ride: Border terriers Gyp, pictured left, and Pixie enjoy the sunny weather at the Canalway Cavalcade in Little Venice, London A day on the river: People enjoy the sunshine and punt on the River Cam in Cambridge today Idyllic conditions: People enjoy the sunshine and punt on the River Cam in Cambridge Boating: Locals and students took advantage of the conditions and punted on the river Mr McColl added: 'This will push through the rest of the country and although there will be some brighter spells it will bring showery conditions. 'People should probably bring an umbrella out with them if they don't want to get wet. 'As we head into the weekend it will probably be a bit drier but there will still be a few rogue showers about so make sure you're prepared.' Meanwhile, the warm weather has sparked a surge in demand for barbecues, with Asda reporting a sales increase of 142 per cent while Marks and Spencer said sales of its barbecue range The Grill are expected to double on last year. Meanwhile Superdrug has reported an increased demand for beauty products such as false toenails, wax strips and fake tan. Alexander Burkill, of the Met Office, said tree pollen would be more significant than grass pollen until the middle of May. Sadly this weekend's heatwave is unlikely to be repeated. Beside the seaside: A group of friends grab the perfect spot on the beach in Heacham, West Norfolk It comes as the Environment Agency is warning that at least 55 of our most popular bathing sites will fail to meet new EU water cleanliness standards.