People have returned to holiday parks in Wales and some have ventured further afield for the first time in months after the country’s stay-local order expired.

Self-contained holiday accommodation such as caravan parks can welcome people again – several weeks before England.

Sunny weather on Saturday also tempted some to visit beaches and countryside, with parts of the Brecon Beacons said to be busy with cars and people stopping for ice cream.

The stay local measure had set a rule of thumb of around five miles, but now it’s permitted to travel anywhere in Wales.

Six people from two households can also meet and exercise outdoors under the latest stage of Wales’ lockdown easing, while organised kids’ activities get the green light and libraries can reopen.

People have been urged to stick to the social distancing rules still in place however, and holiday firms cannot currently welcome people from other UK nations.

Dyfed-Powys Police told Sky News they would not be patrolling the border but that “officers will remain active along all routes”.

The boss of Grondre holiday park in Pembrokeshire said it was great to see people returning.

“It’s fantastic – walking around the park, seeing the smiles on people’s faces after many months of lockdown, it’s a pleasure to see – we’re really happy,” said Thomas Scarratt.

However, he said some holiday parks in mid-Wales and North Wales that normally have a lot of visitors from England would likely be “very quiet”.

Self-contained holiday accommodation is defined as those where guests don’t need to share washing facilities, toilets or kitchens.

Hotels, hostels and B&Bs with en-suite facilities and room service meals can open for example, but many smaller businesses don’t have these facilities.

One woman told Sky News her B&B had been financially devastated and that she desperately wants some clarity on when she can reopen.

First Minister Mark Drakeford hasn’t put forward a comprehensive roadmap like England’s, so all eyes are on the outcome of another review on 2 April.

Wales has already reopened hairdressers and has allowed most school students to resume face-to-face teaching – with all pupils, as well as college students, set to return to classrooms after the Easter break.

The changes come ahead of England easing some restrictions on Monday.

The stay-at-home order will be replaced with a stay local rule, organised sport will return, and so will the rule of six outdoors.

Self-contained holiday accommodation in England is set to open on 12 April – the same day as pubs and restaurants can start serving outside.

Boris Johnson has said the plan for easing lockdown remains on schedule and that there is nothing to dissuade him from “continuing along our roadmap to freedom”.

People living elsewhere in the UK will have to wait a few days longer for their next step in easing COVID rules.

The rule of six is going to be reintroduced in Northern Ireland from Thursday, while Scotland’s stay at home order will be removed on Friday.

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