In pictures: UK's hottest July day on record

Wednesday saw the highest temperature for a July day recorded in the UK, with the thermometer hitting 36.7C (98F) at Heathrow airport.

Delays have been experienced on the railways with speed restrictions in place amid fears tracks could buckle in the heat.

But there have been plenty of ways for people to enjoy the sunshine in safety.

Temperatures are expected to drop to 25C (77F) on Thursday, with the possibility of thunderstorms.

At Wimbledon, Australian spectators showed how to cope with the heat

In the ticket queue at Wimbledon, other spectators prepared themselves for a day in the sun

In Blackpool, the only way to keep cool was to dive right in

Reindeer in Seaham County Durham were hosed down to help them cope with the heat

The Duchess of Cornwall used a parasol to keep the sun at bay at Hampton Court Flower Show

At the Norfolk Show, hats were the order of the day

Ice cream was another popular way of cooling down at the showground near Norwich

Sydney Salter's dogs, Max and Sam, found it too hot to do anything strenuous

While a chimpanzee at Chester Zoo cooled down with an ice lolly

Flash, from West Bridgford, near Nottingham, is staying cool with a horse-sized paddling pool