A vibrant group of revelers took over the streets of West Yorkshire, embracing the infamous Otley Run pub crawl in full force.
With temperatures soaring above those of Ibiza, the day was perfect for a good time.
As the sun smiled down on them, party-goers were seen sporting a variety of creative costumes, with some drawing inspiration from the newly-elected Pope Leo XIV.
The 19-stop pub crawl became more of a photo op, with youngsters pausing to snap pictures, basking in the warm weather.
Creative Costumes and Sunny Vibes
The costumes on display were as diverse as they were fun, ranging from Disney’s Minnie Mouse to the iconic cast of The Inbetweeners.
Some even came dressed as the lovable ‘Minions’ from Despicable Me.
Others, perhaps with the sunny weather in mind, went for a more laid-back look, sporting Hawaiian shirts and adorning themselves with traditional flower leis.
In Leeds, temperatures peaked at around 20°C between 2 and 3 PM, making the city just as warm as some parts of the Balearic Islands.
Not to be outdone, London also enjoyed its fair share of heat, with the city reaching 25°C, hotter than Lisbon, Barcelona, and even Rome that day.
Weather Warnings Ahead
However, it wasn’t all sunshine and smiles.
The Met Office has issued a warning for possible thunderstorms, hail, and lightning across parts of Britain for the rest of the weekend.
South Wales and the West Midlands are expected to bear the brunt of the wet weather, with some areas facing heavy, short bursts of rain.
Jonathan Vautrey, a meteorologist with the Met Office, pointed out that the unpredictable nature of thunderstorms could lead to some local flooding, especially in places that haven’t seen rain in a while.
While this could affect parts of Northern Ireland and Scotland on Sunday and Monday, those celebrating today didn’t let the forecast ruin their plans.
For the time being, British party-goers were focused on making the most of the sunshine.
Springtime Adventures and Solidarity
Some sun-seekers took to the River Nidd in Knaresborough, North Yorkshire, just 30 minutes from the Otley Run, where they enjoyed paddleboarding in the warmth of the spring sun.
Meanwhile, Londoners headed to the Putney riverside on the Thames to enjoy the day by the water.
For those brave enough to join the Otley Run, it was also a reminder of resilience.
Just two weeks ago, the same route was marred by a tragic incident when an extremist attempted to attack party-goers.
On April 26, Owen Lawrence, 38, opened fire with a crossbow, injuring two women, aged 19 and 31.
He later turned the weapon on himself.
Hours before the attack, Lawrence had posted a chilling manifesto on Facebook, detailing his intentions.
His targets included students, club-goers, and Otley Run participants, as well as specific categories like “neurotypicals” and the police.
He listed a variety of weapons he planned to use, including guns, a crossbow, and even a baseball bat.
Tragically, Lawrence died from his injuries, while one of the women he shot was released from the hospital, and the other remains stable.
Moving Forward
Despite the recent tragedy, today’s festivities reflected the spirit of defiance and unity, with party-goers determined to enjoy themselves, showing that life goes on, even after such a dark chapter.