By . Sophie Jane Evans . Britain was basking in glorious sunshine this week - with temperatures as high as a staggering 28C (82F). But today, millions of people were forced to brave the rain as they attended sporting events and festivals across Britain. Donning rain ponchos and wellies, tens of thousands of Formula One fans watched the qualifying stages of the British Grand Prix unfold at Silverstone. Rainy: Today, millions of people were forced to brave the rain as they attended sporting events and festivals across Britain. Above, the Henley Royal Regatta in Henley on Thames, Oxfordshire . Wet weather: People at the Henley Royal Regatta shelter under umbrellas as the weather takes a turn for the worse . Sports fans: Donning rain ponchos and wellies, tens of thousands of Formula One fans watched the qualifying stages of the British Grand Prix unfold at Silverstone today . Wet weather racing: Cars still manage to speed round the track despite the rain during a practice session for this week's Formula One British Grand Prix at Silverstone . Murray Mound: Tennis fans huddle under umbrellas and raincoats to watch Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic win the women's singles final at Wimbledon . They huddled under umbrellas and tents as they cheered racers around the Northamptonshire circuit, which was home to the very first F1 world championship round in 1950. But they did not let the weather dampen their spirits - with many screaming and waving Great Britain flags in support of British racer Lewis Hamilton. Spectator Sarah Hodgson, 23, from Cheshire, told MailOnline: 'My family and I watched the practice yesterday and it was so hot we all . got sunburned. 'I certainly wasn't expecting to be wearing a poncho today. But despite . the rain, we had a great time and it made for a great qualifying . session full of surprises. We are all hoping that Sebastian Vettel will win tomorrow.' Racing track: They huddled under umbrellas and tents as they cheered racers around the Northamptonshire  circuit, which was home to the very first F1 world championship round in 1950 . Two women wear yellow rain ponchos at Cornbury Music Festival at The Great Tew Park in Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire, this afternoon . Flower power: One little girl doesn't mind getting wet as she watches acts including Jools Holland at Cornbury Music Festival in Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire . Muddy campsite: Two well-prepared Formula One fans shelter under a green canopy as they watch a practice race ahead of the British Grand Prix at Silverstone . The wet weather was also seen by spectators at the Henley Royal Regatta in Henley on Thames, Oxfordshire, and Cornbury Music Festival in The Great Tew Park in Chipping Norton. But cycling enthusiasts in Yorkshire were treated to sunshine and dry weather as the opening stage of the Tour de France got underway in Leeds. The international event, featuring 198 riders, was launched by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry this afternoon. Forecaster Simon Partridge, of the Met Office, said today would see a 'mixture of sunshine and showers' across most of the country, particularly in the South-East, with temperatures in the late teens. 'Temperatures at Silverstone were around 18C today with some showers, but the weather should improve as the afternoon goes on,' he said. A man in a kajak is pictured on Brighton Beach today. Rain and clouds has stopped most people from visiting the South Coast while rough seas dettered people from swimming . Wet on the waterside: Summer dresses are covered up with jumpers and raincoats as spectators take in the action at the Henley Royal Regatta in Oxfordshire . Reduced numbers: The number of people on Brighton beach was drastically lower today as the warm, sunny weather gave way to downpours . Matching coats: These two festival-goers at the Cornbury Music Festival in Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire, brighten up a bleak day in patterned purple rain coats . 'The Tour de France saw sunnier, . drier weather, but this could be the other way round tomorrow as the . rain moves towards the North East.' The wet weather is not set to improve anytime soon - with further downpours expected tomorrow and throughout next week. 'Monday and Tuesday will again see a . mixture of sunshine and showers, but perhaps quite not as many as on . previous days,' said Mr Partridge. 'Wednesday . will be a little bit drier, with temperatures around average for this . time of year, but it will still not be anything like the weather we have . recently had.' 'It certainly doesn't look like the weather will be improving drastically for the next week or so.' Bright and cheerful: A spectator at Silverstone keeps dry in a Union Jack coat (left) while guitar-shaped glasses keep this festival-goer happy at Cornbury Music Festival . Brollies and boat jackets: Pastel-striped jackets add a splash of colour as spectators gather to watch the Henley Royal Regatta in Oxfordshire . Festival: The wet weather is not set to improve anytime soon - with further downpours expected tomorrow and throughout next week. Above, Cornbury Music Festival . Grin and bear it: Hoods pulled in tight around their faces, two men try and stay dry as they watch a practice race ahead of the Grand Prix at Silverstone tomorrow . As . downpours caused misery for spectators at Silverstone today, they also . resulted in slippery track conditions for all three qualifying sessions. But despite the rain, Britain's Jenson Button, of McLaren Mercedes, still managed to qualify third for tomorrow's Grand Prix, which will involve 52 laps around the 3.66-mile circuit. Germany's Nico Rosberg, of Mercedes, scooped the pole position, while Germany's Sebastian Vettel, of Red Bull, finished second. However, Hamilton blew his chance of securing pole position for the Grand Prix after he . inexplicably aborted his final run in this afternoon's dramatic qualifying session. Better weather: But cycling enthusiasts in Yorkshire were treated to sunshine and dry weather as the opening stage of the Tour de France got underway in Leeds . The racer appeared set to secure his . second pole in as many years in front of his home crowd at the track, which was home to the very first F1 world championship round in 1950. But . as his title rival Nico Rosberg snatched the pole in the final moments, . Hamilton chose to bail out on his final lap, seemingly confident he had . done enough to start Sunday's race from the front of the pack. The . final sector of the track had however dried out, with not only Rosberg . going faster than the Briton, but four other drivers, meaning Hamilton . will only start sixth at Silverstone on Sunday. Yesterday, a year-high of 28C was recorded in the village of Writtle, near . Chelmsford, Essex - beating the likes of Portugal, Turkey and Spain.
Britain was basking in glorious sunshine this week as temperatures soared to as high as 28C (82F) in some parts .
But today, millions of people were forced to brave rain as they attended sporting events and festivals across UK .
Downpours were seen at Silverstone circuit, Henley Royal Regatta and Cornbury Music Festival in Oxfordshire .
But cycling fans in Yorkshire were treated to sunny dry, weather as first stage of Tour de France got underway .
Forecasters predict 'mixture of sunshine and showers' will remain next week - and possibly the week afterwards .
By . Sophie Jane Evans . Britain was basking in glorious sunshine this week - with temperatures as high as a staggering 28C (82F). But today, millions of people were forced to brave the rain as they attended sporting events and festivals across Britain. Donning rain ponchos and wellies, tens of thousands of Formula One fans watched the qualifying stages of the British Grand Prix unfold at Silverstone. Rainy: Today, millions of people were forced to brave the rain as they attended sporting events and festivals across Britain. Above, the Henley Royal Regatta in Henley on Thames, Oxfordshire . Wet weather: People at the Henley Royal Regatta shelter under umbrellas as the weather takes a turn for the worse . Sports fans: Donning rain ponchos and wellies, tens of thousands of Formula One fans watched the qualifying stages of the British Grand Prix unfold at Silverstone today . Wet weather racing: Cars still manage to speed round the track despite the rain during a practice session for this week's Formula One British Grand Prix at Silverstone . Murray Mound: Tennis fans huddle under umbrellas and raincoats to watch Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic win the women's singles final at Wimbledon . They huddled under umbrellas and tents as they cheered racers around the Northamptonshire circuit, which was home to the very first F1 world championship round in 1950. But they did not let the weather dampen their spirits - with many screaming and waving Great Britain flags in support of British racer Lewis Hamilton. Spectator Sarah Hodgson, 23, from Cheshire, told MailOnline: 'My family and I watched the practice yesterday and it was so hot we all . got sunburned. 'I certainly wasn't expecting to be wearing a poncho today. But despite . the rain, we had a great time and it made for a great qualifying . session full of surprises. We are all hoping that Sebastian Vettel will win tomorrow.' Racing track: They huddled under umbrellas and tents as they cheered racers around the Northamptonshire  circuit, which was home to the very first F1 world championship round in 1950 . Two women wear yellow rain ponchos at Cornbury Music Festival at The Great Tew Park in Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire, this afternoon . Flower power: One little girl doesn't mind getting wet as she watches acts including Jools Holland at Cornbury Music Festival in Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire . Muddy campsite: Two well-prepared Formula One fans shelter under a green canopy as they watch a practice race ahead of the British Grand Prix at Silverstone . The wet weather was also seen by spectators at the Henley Royal Regatta in Henley on Thames, Oxfordshire, and Cornbury Music Festival in The Great Tew Park in Chipping Norton. But cycling enthusiasts in Yorkshire were treated to sunshine and dry weather as the opening stage of the Tour de France got underway in Leeds. The international event, featuring 198 riders, was launched by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry this afternoon. Forecaster Simon Partridge, of the Met Office, said today would see a 'mixture of sunshine and showers' across most of the country, particularly in the South-East, with temperatures in the late teens. 'Temperatures at Silverstone were around 18C today with some showers, but the weather should improve as the afternoon goes on,' he said. A man in a kajak is pictured on Brighton Beach today. Rain and clouds has stopped most people from visiting the South Coast while rough seas dettered people from swimming . Wet on the waterside: Summer dresses are covered up with jumpers and raincoats as spectators take in the action at the Henley Royal Regatta in Oxfordshire . Reduced numbers: The number of people on Brighton beach was drastically lower today as the warm, sunny weather gave way to downpours . Matching coats: These two festival-goers at the Cornbury Music Festival in Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire, brighten up a bleak day in patterned purple rain coats . 'The Tour de France saw sunnier, . drier weather, but this could be the other way round tomorrow as the . rain moves towards the North East.' The wet weather is not set to improve anytime soon - with further downpours expected tomorrow and throughout next week. 'Monday and Tuesday will again see a . mixture of sunshine and showers, but perhaps quite not as many as on . previous days,' said Mr Partridge. 'Wednesday . will be a little bit drier, with temperatures around average for this . time of year, but it will still not be anything like the weather we have . recently had.' 'It certainly doesn't look like the weather will be improving drastically for the next week or so.' Bright and cheerful: A spectator at Silverstone keeps dry in a Union Jack coat (left) while guitar-shaped glasses keep this festival-goer happy at Cornbury Music Festival . Brollies and boat jackets: Pastel-striped jackets add a splash of colour as spectators gather to watch the Henley Royal Regatta in Oxfordshire . Festival: The wet weather is not set to improve anytime soon - with further downpours expected tomorrow and throughout next week. Above, Cornbury Music Festival . Grin and bear it: Hoods pulled in tight around their faces, two men try and stay dry as they watch a practice race ahead of the Grand Prix at Silverstone tomorrow . As . downpours caused misery for spectators at Silverstone today, they also . resulted in slippery track conditions for all three qualifying sessions. But despite the rain, Britain's Jenson Button, of McLaren Mercedes, still managed to qualify third for tomorrow's Grand Prix, which will involve 52 laps around the 3.66-mile circuit. Germany's Nico Rosberg, of Mercedes, scooped the pole position, while Germany's Sebastian Vettel, of Red Bull, finished second. However, Hamilton blew his chance of securing pole position for the Grand Prix after he . inexplicably aborted his final run in this afternoon's dramatic qualifying session. Better weather: But cycling enthusiasts in Yorkshire were treated to sunshine and dry weather as the opening stage of the Tour de France got underway in Leeds . The racer appeared set to secure his . second pole in as many years in front of his home crowd at the track, which was home to the very first F1 world championship round in 1950. But . as his title rival Nico Rosberg snatched the pole in the final moments, . Hamilton chose to bail out on his final lap, seemingly confident he had . done enough to start Sunday's race from the front of the pack. The . final sector of the track had however dried out, with not only Rosberg . going faster than the Briton, but four other drivers, meaning Hamilton . will only start sixth at Silverstone on Sunday. Yesterday, a year-high of 28C was recorded in the village of Writtle, near . Chelmsford, Essex - beating the likes of Portugal, Turkey and Spain.
By . Sophie Jane Evans . Britain was basking in glorious sunshine this week - with temperatures as high as a staggering 28C (82F). But today, millions of people were forced to brave the rain as they attended sporting events and festivals people were forced to brave the rain as they attended sporting events and festivals across Norton. But cycling enthusiasts in Yorkshire were opening stage of the Tour de France got underway Cornbury Music Festival in Chipping Norton, mixture of sunshine and showers, but perhaps Henley Royal Regatta in Oxfordshire . Festival: were treated to sunshine and dry weather as the