Wales warm weather boosts visitor hopes after lockdown

As temperatures soar towards 20C and above, tourist spots around Wales have seen an influx of visitors following the easing of lockdown.

Welsh residents are now free to travel anywhere within the country, and self-contained holiday lets have reopened.

Businesses eager to welcome customers back were nevertheless keen to remind visitors to follow coronavirus rules.

One tourism chief said there was "some apprehension" but most people were being sensible.

Emma Thornton, chief executive of Visit Pembrokeshire, told BBC Radio Wales: "The lifting of restrictions has been managed in a very measured way, which I think everybody supports.

"I think they're really chomping at the bit, excited but equally mindful that we need to continue to be really sensible.

"We're really encouraging our visitors to prepare in advance of their visit, avoid busy areas, protect themselves and local communities and really preserve what makes Pembrokeshire so special."

She added businesses had had "a very bruising 18 months" and were "desperately looking forward" to welcoming visitors back.

With the sun shining, many people headed to the beach for the first time in months.

However, the RNLI warned visitors to remember the warmth does would not yet translate to sea temperatures, which are at their lowest point in the year.

It tweeted: "Please #RespectTheWater and remember to not panic but #FloatToLive if you experience cold water shock."

Visitors have been making the most of the sunny weather to head for the beach at Rhyl.

Though not extremely busy, by lunchtime there were plenty of families enjoying the sunshine and having ice creams on the prom.

Most had arrived from outside Rhyl, from Holywell or Wrexham, and said they were glad to have the chance to get out and see family members outdoors for the first time in months.

Nia and Natasha Humphries were out for the day with their families.

Nia said: "I live alone, you see, and I've been locked in that flat for months. It's horrible."

Natasha added: "The kids are loving it. They haven't seen their friends for months so it's really nice for them to be together.

"We had a few concerns [about numbers] but we knew Rhyl would be a bit quieter, hence we came to this destination."

Jess Hope-Jones, who runs an ice cream parlour in Hay-on-Wye, Powys, said: "I feel like we're quite well-practised at opening and closing now, as it's happened a lot over the last year.

"We're fairly well set up for takeaway and well-practised with all of our measures so we feel safe and secure and I think everyone's happy to be back welcoming our customers again.

"Saturday was lovely, really great vibe in Hay, lots of people around.

"Sunday was a bit quieter so I think that it's not the full-on Easter holidays that we might expect where we have lots of people staying.

"I think it was lots of day-trippers or people who've not come too far, but that will probably change… when England comes on holiday, hopefully by the 12th people might be able to cross the border and come in."

In Carmarthenshire, the car park next to Laugharne's castle was full.

In Cardiff, Regina Ritsch, the manager of Pettigrews Tea Rooms in Bute Park, earlier said she hoped they would have a busy day.

"We've had lots of families out, lots of walkers, lots of dog walkers, especially with the weather being nice," she said.

She said people had been "really good" at distancing and wearing masks.

"People have been sticking to the restrictions and just being really aware of everything and really good at keeping their social distance from other people as well," she added.

Helen Pritchard, who was visiting the seafront at Aberystwyth with her son's partner Annie Jones and her grandson Reggie, said there was nothing like the seaside to "lift your spirits".

"I think we all need a bit of spirits being lifted at the moment," she said.

"We planned it at the weekend because we knew the weather was going to be good and as Annie is a teacher she's now on Easter holidays."

Ms Jones added: "It's so nice to have a break and just get out in the sunshine and move around."