In pictures: Looking back on the hottest July day

As England sizzled in record-breaking temperatures, BBC Online gathered some of the more unusual images from across the country.

From knights in shining (and no doubt sweaty) armour, to Wimbledon spectators donning newspapers as sun-hats, Wednesday saw a number of novel ways to beat the 36.7C (98F) heat.

Not all areas were kissed by the sun, and thunderstorms like those seen in the north east are expected to be more widespread on Thursday.

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Didn't have that in my day: Ice cream was an incongruous choice for one knight at Warwick Castle

This reindeer in County Durham enjoyed a cooling water spray

In London, many people took time out to enjoy the sunshine

It wasn't all sunshine, as this lightning captured at over the Angel of the North statue showed

Spectators at the Henley on the Thames Regatta in Oxfordshire dipped their toes in the water to cool down

One man in Cambridge showed parasols aren't just for relaxing as he got to work in the shade

Some sunbathers in St James's Park in Westminister enjoyed the heat on deckchairs

Asian elephants Hari and Bala Hi Way used the pool to cool down at Chester Zoo