help me identify something

Last week saw a couple of extraordinarily hot days for this part of the world, with temperatures reaching 35 degrees and scorching sunshine.

It didn’t last long.

Anyway, along with this weather came some strange creatures.  I saw the first hornet I’ve ever seen in these parts and any number of insects filled the garden.

But one creature left me baffled.  I’ve looked on the internet and in my book of British insects but I can’t identify a beetle I found lurking on my patio the other day.  It was blackish brown and about 4cm long.  At one stage I thought it was going to steal my lunch.  Luckily I had my camera at the ready and got the following snaps.  If anyone knows what species of beetle it is, please enlighten me.