Welsh beaches 'quietest ever' as people in England flock to the coast

Beaches in Wales saw one of their quietest bank holiday weekends ever as people in England flocked to the coast.

Locals at Barry Island said they had never seen it so quiet as people in Wales continued to following lockdown rules to stay at home.

A sunny Bank Holiday Monday in May would normally mean crowds, queues and sand castles at the popular seaside destination.

Barry Island would normally be bustling with beachgoers on a sunny Bank Holiday Monday. Credit: ITV CYMRU WALES

But with the Welsh Government's stay at home message still in place, the Island was empty except for locals and those exercising.

Businesses were shut - except for those offering takeaway options - and the beach nearly deserted.

Police enforcing road closures at Barry Island over the bank holiday weekend. Credit: ITV CYMRU WALES

Police were on hand to enforce road closures leading up to the beach and turn people away, some who had "travelled a great distance."

They had warned people in Wales to not travel to beaches or beauty spots over the long weekend with offices now able to issues increased fines to anyone ignoring restrictions.

Portmeirion in Gwynedd is also normally jam-packed with visitors, but for the first time in almost a century, it was deserted with tourists keeping away under government guidance.

The Italian-style village, near Penrhyndeudraeth, is famed for its picturesque surroundings including its gardens, the nearby estuary and the wreck of Amis Reunis stone boat.

Well known as the backdrop to the 1960s TV series The Prisoner and asthe home of Festival No 6 over recent years, it is understandable whyso many visitors flock there every year.

People enjoy the hot weather on Bournemouth beach in Dorset, following the introduction of measures to bring England out of lockdown. Credit: PA

Meanwhile in England sun-seekers were warned not to overcrowd beaches and continue social distancing as people sought to make the most of the fine bank holiday weather.

Lockdown rules in England are different to those in Wales.

In England the restrictions have been relaxed, allowing people to visit beauty spots, whereas in the message in Wales is still to stay at home and stay local - only leaving the house for essential reasons and to exercise.

Apart from crowds at English beaches on Monday, long stretched of traffic were also seen at the Yorkshire Dales, while walkers were also out enjoying the grounds of Windsor Castle.