Britain is set to bathe in Sahara-like sunshine with temperatures of 25C in a matter of days – and these parts of the country are set to get the biggest roasting. From Land’s End to the White Cliffs of Dover, a huge 366-mile part of southern England will enjoy tropical-like temperatures.

The mercury will soar in counties including Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Hampshire, Wiltshire, East and West Sussex, Surrey, Buckinghamshire, Kent, Essex, Suffolk, and Greater London on Thursday, May 1. Forecast maps from Netweather.tv and WXCharts show high temperatures from noon onwards and beyond 6pm.

London and surrounding areas will get the lion’s share of the heat, but everywhere from Penzance to Puttenham will record highs above 20C.

Yet despite the expected good weather, a Met Office forecast starting from May 1 said there could be some rain on the horizon.

A statement said: “Following a widely fine and very warm spell through the week, temperatures are most likely to return back closer to average from the North during Thursday and Friday.

"Whilst a little rain is possible during this transition, most areas are remaining largely dry. Largley fine but cooler conditions are then most likely over the weekend.

"However, [it will be] likely cloudier and breezier at times across some northern areas with a chance of rain. Into the following week, conditions will probably turn more changeable overall, with dry, settled periods interspersed with some spells of wetter weather.

“This will bring some showers or longer spells of rain at times, which could be heavy and thundery in places. Temperatures will likely be around average.”

This evening and tonight

Any patchy rain and drizzle will soon ease to leave clear spells across England and Wales, with some fog patches forming overnight. It will turn breezy across Northern Ireland and parts of Scotland, with outbreaks of rain developing here.

Sunday

Outbreaks of rain will continue across north-western parts. Elsewhere, any mist and fog will lift to leave a dry day with plenty of sunny spells. Feeling warm in the sunshine.

Outlook for Monday to Wednesday:

Cloudy with outbreaks of rain in the North-west on Monday. Otherwise dry with sunny spells as high pressure builds. Temperatures climbing, feeling very warm by day across England and Wales.