Hikers enjoy vibrant sea of wild bluebells as balmy summer weather returns: But temperatures are set to drop this weekend and some places might even see FROST

Magnificent swathes of bluebells glimmered in the sunshine as Britain basked in a day of glorious summer weather.

Ramblers in the Lake District were treated to the brilliant floral display, walking among the delicate buds in full bloom. Elsewhere, workers enjoyed their lunch breaks outside while students in London - where temperatures reached highs of 24C - were seen sunbathing in the city's parks.

But the balmy weather will disappear over the coming days as a cold front moves in from the north in time for the weekend.

Forecasters have warned to expect temperatures closer to 14C or 15C, with some areas even seeing frost overnight.

Glimmering: A man took in the view as he walked his dog through the bluebells on the shores of Crummock Water, in the Lake District

Glorious: A woman treated her dogs to a walk through the stunning floral display as Britain basked in a day of summer weather

Quiet moment: Two walkers stopped to look out over Crummock Water as they enjoyed a walk in the balmy summer weather today

Cloudless skies: Two women were joined by a faithful dog as they hiked up the slope near the shores of Crummock Water

Breathtaking: Looking out over the hills of the Lake District, this hiker stopped for a well-earned break with her puffed-out pooch

Best of Britain: The sea of bluebells looked vibrant in the summer sunshine as temperatures reached 24C in parts of the UK today

Today saw fine and dry weather across much of the UK with most places enjoying temperatures of around 20C.

Photographs taken on Wimbledon Common, south west London, show sun-seekers stretching out on the grass in their shorts. In Hyde Park, dozens of visitors took out paddle boats to explore the Serpentine.

Meanwhile in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, sun filtered down through the canopy as strollers stepped out beneath the cherry trees on The Stray.

There were one or two showers across the south, particularly in Southampton and Bournemouth - where thunder and lighting are expected to continue this evening. The stormy patches will travel westwards before fading away overnight.

Tonight will be fine for many although there will be light clouds in the North East of England and East Anglia, according to the Met Office.

Forecaster Dean Hall told MailOnline: In Scotland there is a weak cold front will bring patchy outbreaks of rain overnight. That cold front is going to mark the start of cooler conditions as we get closer to the weekend when temperatures will be closer to the average for this time of year.'

Ready for the rays! Gemmea Lawson, 26, and Devon Johnson, 23, came prepared for the sun as they relaxed in Greenwich Park, London

In bloom: Sun filtered down through the canopy as strollers stepped out beneath the cherry trees in Harrogate, North Yorkshire

Topping up the tan: Russian students Kristina and Maria donned their bikinis as they sunbathed in St James's Park, London

New friends: A woman took off her shoes and dipped her feet in the Serpentine, in London's Hyde Park - watched closely by a swan

Al fresco dining: A couple brought their picnic basket as they enjoyed a snack on the grass in Greenwich Park, south-east London

Road block: A mother with a pram waits for young fallow deer to cross their path during a walk in Richmond Park, London

While Scotland will see a cloudier day tomorrow there will be brighter skies across the far north and bright or sunny spells for most of England and Wales. 

A fine clear night combined with the cold front pushing southwards means temperatures will drop overnight Friday into Saturday. 

Mr Hall said: 'We could see a touch of air frost in the north, away from the towns and cities, with temperatures getting down to 2C or 3C.'

On Saturday the cold front will continue to extend southwards, bringing a cooler airflow across the UK. However despite the dip in temperatures the weather will remain dry and bright and it should still feel pleasant in the sunshine. 

Daytime temperatures are expected to reach highs of 14C or 15C, which are average for this time of year.  

Panoramic views: A couple made sure to keep the sun off their faces with hats as they looked out over London from Greenwich Park

Fun in the sun: A group of young women hired out a boat to explore the Serpentine in Hyde Park, playing with a ball as they peddled

Afternoon nap: One man was so comfortable in the sunny weather that he dozed off in the middle of Wimbledon Common, Lodon

Out and about: Children whizzed by on their bicycles as sun-seekers relaxed in the rays on Wimbledon Common, south west London