Beachgoers reflect on the summer of 2026

Summer 2026 was the hottest on record.

The Met Office said average temperatures across the UK were higher than in any summer since records began.

In June, a rare red weather warning for extreme heat was issued for the South West.

The prolonged dry weather, five heatwaves and a drought brought wildfires, pressure on water supplies and hosepipe bans.

But away from the statistics, what will people actually remember about this summer?