40C

A NUMBER of iconic landmarks have closed around the country, as Brits brace for record-breaking heat.

Temperatures today have already broken June weather records, with highs of 36C seen in Surrey.

Multiple British landmarks have completely closed or restricted public access today as the Met Office’s red weather warning takes effect.

This comes after over 1,000 schools shut doors across the South of England, West Midlands and Wales due to rapidly rising temperatures.

Tower Bridge, a London landmark that attracts nearly one million visitors annually, has shut entirely today and will remain shut tomorrow.

Operators have said the decision was made for “the welfare of our staff and visitors”, and plan to reopen the bridge on Friday.

HOT DEAL

Last-minute cheap breaks to UK holiday parks this sunny weekend from £11pp a night

PASS ON

More Brits are being banned from flights home due to confusing new passport rule

Changing of the Guard ceremonies at Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle are suspended for the rest of the week.

The Household Division said: “We take the wellbeing of our soldiers and military working horses very seriously.

“Whilst it may be disappointing not to experience the Ceremonial Operations in full, it is important the wellbeing of the public, our soldiers and military working horses is maintained at all times.”

The historic spectacle, taking place on alternative days at Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle, is a popular tourist attraction and “must see” for London visitors.

Greenwich landmarks the Cutty Sark and The Royal Observatory have also both announced their closures, with visitors of the area recommended to view the Queen’s House and National Maritime Museum as an alternative.

Away from the capital, various National Trust properties are operating on shortened hours, such as the Stourhead Estate in Wiltshire, Blists Hill Victorian Town in Shropshire, and Mottisfont House in Hampshire.

Longleat House and the Severn Valley Railway in Wiltshire, alongside the Wild Zoological Park in Wolverhampton, have also closed today and tomorrow.

The UK’s most visited museum, Natural History Museum, alongside the Victoria and Albert Museum have temporarily closed certain sections of the building, with the Young V&A shutting entirely.

The British Museum has further said on its website: “We may also temporarily close some galleries in the Museum to ensure the comfort and safety of staff and visitors.”

Beloved family attractions London Zoo and Chester Zoo are also shutting early on certain days, with London closing at 4pm both days, and Chester Zoo closing at 2pm on Thursday.

Outside, playgrounds in London’s Royal Parks have shut to keep staff, wildlife and visitors safe, including popular sites in Kensington Gardens, Hyde Park, Regent’s Park, and more.

Hampton Court Palace has also shut its Magic Garden from 1pm today, continuing until the end of tomorrow as the hot weather continues.

The Met Office red alert is in place for swathes of the country until late tomorrow night, with warm weather anticipated for the rest of the week.

THE mercury is rising as the UK and Europe sizzle through a second June heatwave, with temperatures soaring to over 40C.

The increasingly fierce heat has prompted a new trend and, of course, an obligatory trendy moniker – the COOL-CATION.

Increasingly, those of us who suffer in the heat are seeking out holidays where the sun shines but the degrees stay sensible.

Here, Lisa Minot, suggests six of the best holiday destinations abroad that escape the heat but still score highly in summer . . . 

FOR beach breaks, Portugal’s Costa Verde, in the north of the country, is an ideal choice.

While there’s still plenty of sunshine, the Atlantic breezes mean cooler temperatures than the Algarve.

WAIL OF A TIME

I drove Irish Route 66 with deserted golden beaches and pirate-like islands

TEMPTED?

Tiny ‘Bali of Europe’ town with stunning beaches, €3 cocktails and £20 flights

It’s also a green haven — think verdant forests and vineyards producing the popular Vinho Verde wine.

Solmar Villas has 30 villas in the region including Casa do Casal.

Sleeping four, this chic, modern villa includes a private pool.

Seven nights’ self-catering is from £697pp, based on four sharing, including flights from Gatwick on July 12.

See solmarvillas.com.

CLOSE to the Julian Alps, Lake Bled is the cooler alternative to Lake Como, offering watersports and hiking accompanied by a refreshing Alpine breeze.

Newmarket Holidays has a great tour that includes excursions around the lake, combined with Croatia’s Istrian Riviera and the glorious Plitvice National Park.

With expert guides, visit Rovinj on the coast and the remarkable Lim Fjord.

The eight-day trip includes flights, four excursions and 14 meals.

Prices start from £1,324pp.

For further details, visit newmarketholidays.co.uk.

GET the best of all worlds with a visit to this gorgeous little Swedish city.

With summer temperatures typically from 20C to 23C, it has a laid-back coastal feel with sandy beaches, waterfront dining and easy links to Danish capital Copenhagen, via the Oresund Bridge.

There’s sea-swimming and saunas, of course, plus pretty streets with traditional architecture.

The UNITY Malmo hotel is a ten-minute walk from the city centre and a great base.

Three nights’ B&B is from £391pp including flights from Gatwick on July 5.

See easyjet.com/en/holidays.

SESTRIERE, ITALY

SPORTY types need not break a sweat this summer with a stay at Club Med Pragelato-Sestriere in Italy’s Piedmont region.

With its refreshing Alpine climate — it was built for the 2006 Winter Olympics — there’s plenty to keep fitness fans busy in summer with 19 different activities including biking, hiking and golf, plus two pools.

And with everything included, you can sit back and relax.

Seven nights’ all-inclusive is from £1,827pp including flights from Heathrow on July 11 and transfers.

See clubmed.co.uk/r/pragelato-sestriere/w or call 03453 676767.

THIS capital city offers the chance to combine a cultural break with beach fun.

There are 15 public beaches within the city’s limits, three of which hold Blue Flag awards — Balsys and Valakampiai I and II.

With cooler, Nordic summers, temperatures rarely rise above 23C but there are still plenty of places to enjoy some sunshine with many of the city’s beaches having changing cabins, barbecue zones and sports courts.

Explore the Old Town with a three-night stay at the 3* Panorama Hotel from £239pp including flights from Stansted on July 1.

See loveholidays.com.

THERE’S no problem cooling off in Finland — the country has some 188,000 lakes, the majority in its stunning Lakeland region.

Explore a few on a self-drive holiday with with Best Served Scandinavia, taking in lakes, rivers, canals and forests.

The trip starts with two nights in Helsinki before heading into Lakeland to make the most of the long summer days with time for swimming, fishing and canoeing.

Eight nights is from £1,950pp including return flights, B&B accommodation, seven days’ car hire, two lunches, excursions and a sightseeing cruise.

See best-served.co.uk.