But the end of the week should be the start of a mini-heatwave, with the mercury peaking at 19C (66F) on Friday

Monday will see rain moving across the UK from the west, 'blustery' winds and temperatures peaking at 16C (60F)

It will be largely dry in the south east today with rain in the north and west and a maximum temperature of 17C (63F)

Little Venice was awash with bunting as around 130 narrowboats came for London's biggest waterside festival

Dancers gathered in the countryside of Derbyshire and Gloucestershire to perform at the break of dawn today


The Morris dancers were out in force this morning for a traditional May Day Bank Holiday... and yes, it's going to be a washout too.

A glorious sunrise greeted a group on Painswick Beacon, Gloucestershire, while the Border Morris Dancers stayed dry on the top of Windgather Rocks, Derbyshire.

The south east should remain dry today, with rain in the north and west, while Monday will see a band of rain moving across the UK, leaving showers and 'blustery' winds in its wake.

The Morris dancers were out in force this morning on Painswick Beacon, Gloucestershire for a traditional May Day Bank Holiday... and yes, it's going to be a washout too

The Gloucestershire Morris Men joined the Stroud Ladies Morris and Feet Together Jump for the celebrations as the sun rose over the horizon at 5.41am, marking the start of summer

This afternoon there will be rain in places - particularly in the north and west - while the south east will stay largely dry

But on Monday a band of rain is set to move across the UK from the west, leaving showers and 'blustery' winds in its wake

The sun rises on a group of Border Morris Dancers on the top of Windgather Rocks, Derbyshire

While some parts of Northern Ireland and western Scotland have a bright start to bank holiday Monday, for most of the UK it will be wet and windy for much of the day before brightening from the west in the afternoon

The Powderkegs, a group of 16 dancers which was formed in 2001, paint their faces black and wear rag jackets with jingle bells on their legs

While some parts of Northern Ireland and western Scotland have a bright start to bank holiday Monday, for most of Britain it will be wet and windy for much of the day before brightening from the west in the afternoon.

But the recent cold snap looks to be coming to an end, with temperatures expected to reach the high teens by the end of next week.

Met Office meteorologist Ellie Creed told MailOnline: 'On Wednesday there is another cold front but warmer air will come in from the continent.

'The high pressure wins out in general so the front will die away.

'So Wednesday and Thursday is a nice picture. There will be cloud in places but also sunshine, particularly in the south.'

Henry Czapp, aged 2, plays with a ball in glorious sunshine today next to a field of rapeseed near Winchester, Hampshire

The sun rises over early morning frost and mist in the Cambridgeshire Fens, near Ely Cathedral

The Dursley Rugby Club spend some time on the beach during their Brighton Tour 2016

Low-lying mists carpets the fields of the Cambridgeshire Fens. The agricultural region was created by draining swampland several centuries ago

There were colourful scenes in Little Venice during the capital's biggest waterside festival on Sunday.

The Canalway Cavalcade sees around 130 narrowboats decorated with flags and banners moored along the junction of the Grand Union Canal and Regent's Canal, creating an explosion of colour in one of London's most exclusive neighbourhoods.

Waterways enthusiasts are also able to take part in boating competitions and parades, while family-friendly fun comes in the form of a Punch & Judy show.

And, being spring in England, there is the obligatory troupe of Morris dancers and a real ale tent, as well as plenty of food stalls.

The event is organised by The Inland Waterways Association, a charity that campaigns for the protection of Britain's rivers and canals.

It has been taking place every May bank holiday since 1983.

The festival, which is free to enter, started on Friday and finishes on Monday.

Today has an action-packed schedule, including a blessing of boats by Bishop of London Richard Chartres at 12.45pm.

There will also be a teddy bear's picnic later in the afternoon.

Monday will see a boat-handling competition, before the festival ends with a parade of historic and working vessels.

While the weather expected to remain dry until this evening, rain is forecast for tomorrow.

These were the colourful scenes at London's Little Venice during the capital's biggest waterside festival, which attracts thousands of boating enthusiasts from all over the UK

The Canalway Cavalcade sees around 130 boats decorated with flags and banners moored along the junction of the Grand Union Canal and Regent's Canal to create a colourful spectacle

Waterways enthusiasts - some wearing unusual fancy dress - are also able to take part in boating competitions and parades, while family-friendly fun comes in the form of a Punch & Judy show

Despite all the colourful bunting and banners event participants used to decorate their boats, this dog looked less than impressed with their efforts

The Canalway Cavalcade, which is organised by The Inland Waterways Association - a charity that campaigns for the protection of Britain's rivers and canals - has been taking place every May Bank Holiday since 1983

Children watch a circus entertainer juggling coloured hoops during the festival, which takes place at the heart of one of London's most exclusive neighbourhoods

The event, which is free to enter, started on Friday and finishes on Monday. Alongside the pageantry, people also come to visit a collection of trade stalls selling boat parts and accessories

Visitors enjoyed messing about on narrowboats while wearing fancy dress. The Canalway Cavalcade in 2014 set a record for attendance, with more than 32,000 people joining in the fun

Today will see an action-packed schedule, including the blessing of boats by Bishop of London Richard Chartres in the morning and a teddy bear's picnic in the afternoon

On Monday there will be a boat handling competition, before the festival ends with a parade of historic and working vessels

This narrowboat is decorated with a flag commemorating Queen Elizabeth II's 90th birthday on April 21

As well as organising this annual event, The Inland Waterways Association also provides advice to people taking part in canal restoration projects

The Grand Union Canal at Little Venice was a sea of colour as boat owners put up bunting and banners to mark the spring festival

Boats drift down the canal in Little Venice, a tranquil area north of Paddington known for its wide variety of restaurants, cafes and pubs

Normally famed for its gentrified rowing regattas, Henley-on-Thames has become the focal point for Tough Mudder this weekend. This weekend, brave contestants lined up at Culden Faw, an estate that covers thousands of acres near the picturesque town