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  • Sunrise on Monday morning in Richmond Park, London. The UK braced for extreme temperatures on Monday and Tuesday, with forecasters predicting record highs. Reuters
    Sunrise on Monday morning in Richmond Park, London. The UK braced for extreme temperatures on Monday and Tuesday, with forecasters predicting record highs. Reuters
  • A soldier outside Buckingham Palace is given water by a police officer on Monday, as temperatures soared across the country. AP
    A soldier outside Buckingham Palace is given water by a police officer on Monday, as temperatures soared across the country. AP
  • A digital thermometer displays the temperature as 39°C on a London underground train on Monday afternoon. PA
    A digital thermometer displays the temperature as 39°C on a London underground train on Monday afternoon. PA
  • Bison were released into West Blean and Thornden Woods, near Canterbury in Kent, on Monday. The herd of four wild bison have been released as part of a project to restore the natural biodiversity of the area. PA
    Bison were released into West Blean and Thornden Woods, near Canterbury in Kent, on Monday. The herd of four wild bison have been released as part of a project to restore the natural biodiversity of the area. PA
  • Swan Uppers attempt to check a cygnet on Monday, during the ancient tradition of Swan Upping, the annual census of the swan population on the River Thames. PA
    Swan Uppers attempt to check a cygnet on Monday, during the ancient tradition of Swan Upping, the annual census of the swan population on the River Thames. PA
  • On Tuesday temperatures continued to rise in the UK, with Londoners finding whatever means they could to keep cool - even the fountains in Trafalgar Square. Reuters
    On Tuesday temperatures continued to rise in the UK, with Londoners finding whatever means they could to keep cool - even the fountains in Trafalgar Square. Reuters
  • People enjoying the beach in Brighton on Tuesday. Reuters
    People enjoying the beach in Brighton on Tuesday. Reuters
  • People used the Serpentine lake in Hyde Park to cool down in London on Tuesday. That afternoon the temperature hit a record high of 40.3ºC in Coningsby, Lincolnshire. AFP
    People used the Serpentine lake in Hyde Park to cool down in London on Tuesday. That afternoon the temperature hit a record high of 40.3ºC in Coningsby, Lincolnshire. AFP
  • WENNINGTON, GREATER LONDON - JULY 20: An aerial view shows a Union Flag flying among the the rubble and destruction in a residential area, following a large blaze the previous day, on July 20, 2022 in Wennington, Greater London. A series of fires broke out across England yesterday as the UK experienced a record-breaking heatwave. Temperatures in many places reached 40c and over. (Photo by Leon Neal / Getty Images)
    WENNINGTON, GREATER LONDON - JULY 20: An aerial view shows a Union Flag flying among the the rubble and destruction in a residential area, following a large blaze the previous day, on July 20, 2022 in Wennington, Greater London. A series of fires broke out across England yesterday as the UK experienced a record-breaking heatwave. Temperatures in many places reached 40c and over. (Photo by Leon Neal / Getty Images)
  • The previous days' heatwave was still causing travel disruption on Wednesday, as passengers checked schedules following train cancellations at King's Cross station in London. AP
    The previous days' heatwave was still causing travel disruption on Wednesday, as passengers checked schedules following train cancellations at King's Cross station in London. AP
  • Wednesday also saw British Prime Minister Boris Johnson hold his final session of Prime Minister's Questions in the House of Commons. PA
    Wednesday also saw British Prime Minister Boris Johnson hold his final session of Prime Minister's Questions in the House of Commons. PA
  • Hollywood star Brad Pitt photo-bombed his own photo-call on Wednesday in London, as fellow actors Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Brian Tyree Henry posed to promote the new 'Bullet Train' movie. Getty Images
    Hollywood star Brad Pitt photo-bombed his own photo-call on Wednesday in London, as fellow actors Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Brian Tyree Henry posed to promote the new 'Bullet Train' movie. Getty Images
  • Sir Graham Brady, chairman of the 1922 Committee, announced the results of a ballot on Wednesday afternoon, revealing that Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss are the final two candidates for the Conservative Party leadership race. AP
    Sir Graham Brady, chairman of the 1922 Committee, announced the results of a ballot on Wednesday afternoon, revealing that Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss are the final two candidates for the Conservative Party leadership race. AP
  • Liz Truss was applauded as she left the Houses of Parliament on Wednesday. AFP
    Liz Truss was applauded as she left the Houses of Parliament on Wednesday. AFP
  • On Thursday Rishi Sunak arrived for leadership hustings at local government association offices in London, as the campaign to become the next Prime Minister continued. Bloomberg
    On Thursday Rishi Sunak arrived for leadership hustings at local government association offices in London, as the campaign to become the next Prime Minister continued. Bloomberg
  • Dan McGavin, Design Director from Bakehouse Factory, unveiled a giant interactive gorilla sculpture 'Wilder' on Thursday, to mark the final opening weeks of Bristol Zoo Gardens. PA
    Dan McGavin, Design Director from Bakehouse Factory, unveiled a giant interactive gorilla sculpture 'Wilder' on Thursday, to mark the final opening weeks of Bristol Zoo Gardens. PA
  • Finishing touches were added to the new exhibition titled Doctor Who Worlds of Wonder on Thursday. The exhibition in Edinburgh explores the science behind the global hit television series 'Doctor Who'. Getty Images
    Finishing touches were added to the new exhibition titled Doctor Who Worlds of Wonder on Thursday. The exhibition in Edinburgh explores the science behind the global hit television series 'Doctor Who'. Getty Images
  • On Friday cars queued at the Port of Dover in Kent, as many families embarked on getaways at the start of summer holidays for schools in England and Wales. PA
    On Friday cars queued at the Port of Dover in Kent, as many families embarked on getaways at the start of summer holidays for schools in England and Wales. PA

The UK week in pictures: A heatwave hits, Rishi Sunak vs Liz Truss, and swan upping

'The National' selects the most striking photos from across Britain

The National

July 22, 2022

Updated: July 22, 2022, 12:14 PM