Gower holiday business boost from Easter weekend weather

Easter sunshine has brought bumper takings for leisure operators in Swansea and Gower

Langland Bay, Gower

Geoff Haden, who runs Clyne Farm Centre in Mayals, said the centre had enjoyed its best Easter in 20 years.

Meanwhile, the Dylan Thomas Birthplace he runs with wife Anne has also been packed, despite the lure of the beaches. Mr Haden said the glorious Easter sunshine had brought a complete turnaround in prospects for businesses in Swansea and Gower.

"It's by far the best Easter weekend that we've experienced in 20 years, with the fine weather bringing people both from away and from the Swansea Bay area to stay and take part in activities. A week before Easter it all suddenly took off with bookings for our accommodation filling up and a terrific demand for our riding stables and our activities, which is all set to continue until after the May Day Bank Holiday. Challenge Valley, the muddiest assault course in the world, has been particularly busy with more than 200 people over the weekend."

The Easter holidays and summer sunshine have proved a lucrative combination for cafes, restaurants, leisure operators and others. Tourism hotspots such as Mumbles, Gower and the Marina have been packed out all over the weekend and yesterday, while the roads have been jammed with traffic heading to and from the beaches.

But it's not just about soaking up the rays, as Swansea's most famous literary son has given the sun a run for its money.

Mr Haden runs the Dylan Thomas Birthplace at 5 Cwmdonkin Drive with wife Anne. She said: "When the weather is good people usually head for the beach. But we have had a steady stream of visitors throughout the weekend with people coming from all over the country and also from the United States. We've made some changes over the winter and Dylan is always a great draw for the enthusiast and curious alike."