Thousands flock to Barry Island as the weather hots up

Thousands of people flocked to the beaches of Barry as summer finally arrived over the weekend.

In some areas of the country a mini-heatwave has been announced with temperatures peaking above 30 degrees.

Thousands were on the beach in Barry at the weekend (Image: Richard Swingler Photography)

Finally, parents can take their kids out to the seaside in the summer holidays after what feels like a wet and rather cool start to summer.

Recently, one of the island’s most famous stores, Barrybados put up a Facebook post on a Saturday at 5.30pm in June saying “Barry Island absolutely dead” after what was an unseasonably cool month.

However, like a phoenix, the Island has risen from the ashes and was alive and kicking on the weekend of July 27.

Finally some heat! (Image: Newsquest)

Summer has arrived (Image: Newsquest)

Nine month old Otis loved it (Image: Newsquest)

Watch the video below as people flock to Barry Island beach

Families were back enjoying the fish and chips, ice creams, fairground rides and of course, the stunning waters of Whitmore Bay.

Tianna, Addison and Rosa with some serious sand castles (Image: Newsquest)

The sparkling waters of Whitmore Bay (Image: Newsquest)

A busy Barry beach (Image: Ryan Harris)

One of the most popular cafes on the Island is Marco's and when we spoke to manager and sister of Marco, Franca (commonly known as Franky) she knew exactly why the weather had been so bad so far this summer.

“The jet stream,” said Franka. “blame it on the jet stream.

“At Marcos, we are fortunate because we have cover, but we have seen a bit of a downturn in the first quarter.”

Families were getting in the water (Image: Newsquest)

And getting their fish and chips (Image: Newsquest)

Franky, centre, of Marco's cafe was confident the season would pick up, and it did! (Image: Newsquest)

Franky also remined us that there could be that extra boost to the island with a certain show being filmed there this year…

Relaxing times on Barry Island (Image: Newsquest)

Barrybados’ Louis Ross described how the island needed that prolonged period of heat to get business going and it finally came, and that heat looks to be staying a bit longer.

In Barry, the sun is shining – and set to shine for most of the week, with clear skies and temperatures hovering around the mid-20s until at least Thursday.

So stock up on the sunscreen, get the budgey smugglers on, and get to the beach if you can!

Got a story in Barry? Email harry.jamshidian@newsquest.co.uk.