article_snippet: The UK experienced the hottest day of the year on Saturday, with Santon Downham in Suffolk reaching 63F (17C), hotter than Barcelona and Rome.
article_snippet: Meanwhile the highest temperature yesterday was the 15.4C (59.7F) observed in Charsfield, Suffolk, while London saw a decent 13C (55.4F).
article_snippet: The previous record for this year was set two months ago in Exeter, Devon, when temperatures reached 16.5C (63.5F) on January 9.
article_snippet: The country basked in hotter weather than Barcelona, Rome and Athens, with temperatures hitting a high of 17.5C .
article_snippet: In central London, swarms of bees feasted on nectar and pollen in St James's Park, where temperatures rose as high as 16.7C (62.1F).
highlights_snippet: UK had hotter weather than Barcelona, Rome and Athens at the weekend - with the mercury hitting 17.5C .
  