Tourist attractions across South Pembrokeshire are catching their breath following a record-breaking bank holiday weekend (writes Jack Simpson).

The weekend was a scorcher, with temperatures reaching as high as 25.5C in some parts of Wales.

As a result, scores of holidaymakers and day trippers packed their bags and headed for the coast, meaning that, as well as busy beaches, attractions up and down the county saw their best results on record for visitor numbers.

Folly Farm at Begelly was one of these.

Chris Ebsworth, managing director, said: “We’ve exceeded expectations this bank holiday weekend, with visitor figures up on last year. The week leading up to the bank holiday weekend was actually a record-breaking week!

“The weather was glorious and Sunday in particular was a great day, with a little more cloud making conditions ideal for a visit before the school holidays draw to a close.

“Activities over the weekend included our fantastic pirate shows and fun days, magic show with Luke Jugglestruck along with our popular Folly character walkabouts, meet and greet activities in the barn and talks at the lion, giraffe, rhino and penguin enclosures, giving children and adults the chance to find out more about the animals at Folly Zoo.

“Families seemed to be very impressed with our new Asian Adventure development which opened at the start of the holidays - with our gorgeous red pandas and Asian wild cats as well as some new residents including a pack of Asian wild dogs.

“We’re looking forward to seeing what the rest of the year will bring, including our fun-filled Halloween and Christmas events!”

Another attraction which performed strongly over the bank holiday weekend was Heatherton World of Activities.

The award-winning park has a whole host of activities such as go-karting, escape rooms and an ‘exhilarating’ high ropes adventure.

Marketing manager, Simon Hilling, said: “Heatherton has had the busiest bank holiday on record. The good weather brought massive amounts of visitors to the area and to the park itself.

“We have had three very busy days over the bank holiday, when compared to previous years. It was great to have all three days being good weather.”

And it was a similar story along the road at?Carew Castle which attracted 54 per cent more visitors over the August bank holiday weekend this year compared to last year.

James Parkin, National Park Authority director of countryside, community and visitor services, said: “Not only was it one of the hottest bank holidays on record, but it was also one of the busiest, with people enjoying the best of what the National Park has to offer, from sea and sand to the Coast Path and culture.

“This is exactly what Pembrokeshire’s tourism sector needed after a slow start to the season.”

Numbers were also slightly up at Pembroke Castle, even though it is not far from popular beaches such as Freshwater East, where people were flocking to soak up the sunshine.

“We’re slightly up on our visitor numbers from last year, despite the good weather which normally reduces our numbers as a lot of people, understandably, decide to go

to the beach a lot,” said Jon Williams, manager of the castle.

“We’re pleased with how many visitors attended and have seen an increase in those attending our evening events such as outdoor theatre, outdoor cinema and ghost tours.”

But it was not all good news, with the glorious sunshine having a negative effect for some attractions.

Mark Lewis, curator of Tenby Museum, explained: “Saturday and Monday were quiet, but Sunday was busier - Bank Holidays are never the best time for visitor numbers for the museum and traditionally we are quite quiet.”