As summer days go, they don’t come more British than this. Captured from the top of the Shard skyscraper, this timelapse video shows dark clouds looming over the capital during this year’s summer solstice on 20 June.

But though the first day of summer began with most of the country being utterly drenched, things cheered up by the evening. In the video – taken 800ft above London and shot over 18 hours, capturing sunrise at 4.43am and sunset at 9.22pm – the lashings of rain finally give way to blue skies.

As the sun sets on the longest day of the year, the city basks in a warm glow. There is hope, after all.