THE GREAT GETAWAY

▫ Holiday businesses across Wales reopen to ‘unprecedented demand’

▫ Thousands flock to hills and beaches as five-mile rule lifted

CAR parks at Pen y Fan were full before 8am yesterday as eager climbers enjoyed the first weekend since the lifting of Wales’ “stay local” rule.

The recently-relaxed restrictions allowed people across the UK to travel to Wales for the first time since March and to visit popular beauty spots.

An “extremely busy day” had been predicted at the Brecon Beacons National Park as a result, the local roads policing team said yesterday.

They wrote on Twitter: “We’re out today monitoring what we anticipate to be an extremely busy day particularly in the @Brecon BeaconsNP. Please ensure you are driving and parking safely and responsibly at all times. We will be out to advise and enforce appropriately.”

And car parks were busy with visitors long before the sun came up.

Tracy Purnell, 42, of Libanus, said: “I reached Pont ar Daf car park at 4am and had problems finding a space. It was extremely busy.

“I am a regular sunrise walker to Pen y Fan summit and it is only usually this busy for summer solstice.”

Despite the eased restrictions, Tracy said not everyone was mindful of Wales’ ongoing two-metre social distancing rule, with large crowds gathering at the summit.

“The feeling of being able to climb a mountain again in the Beacons after so long and be surrounded by the views and nature, I am sure Covid-19 was unfortunately far from peoples thoughts,” she said.

But, as crowds grew in the morning, others recommended avoiding the area altogether.

One person tweeted: “Just driven over the Brecon Beacons and if anyone is thinking of going to Pen Y Fan, I would highly recommend you don’t waste your time. It is absolute carnage.”

Similar scenes were reported in Snowdonia.

The Snowdonia National Park Association said the Pen-y-Pass car park was full by 8am and advised visitors to check their website for updates before travelling.

The Llyn Tegid, Pont Bethania and Nant Peris car parks were also listed as “busy”, but not full, as of noon.

Meanwhile, as the five-mile restriction was relaxed and the sun came out, thousands flocked to beaches around Wales.