The rare combination of a Bank Holiday weekend and a heatwave has seen a boom in customers at Barrow pubs. The 'beer garden weather' saw droves of punters flock to their nearest watering hole to cool down. 

Saturday (27) May was the hottest day in the UK of 2023 so far seeing temperatures of up to 24C (75F) and the mercury in Barrow reaching up to 20C (68F) on Sunday (May 28).

A pub that was voted the best pub in Barrow in 2019 saw one of its busiest weekends this year whilst the sun was shining. The Devonshire, on Michaelson Road on Barrow Island saw its most loyal locals turn out in droves.

Landlady Sab said: "The good weather this weekend has been really good for us. It usually brings people out anyway but this weekend was one of the busiest so far.

"We have a lot of locals who come regularly so it's nice that they can come and sit outside on the benches for once."

Another popular local pub which, according to its website, claims to have the "biggest and best beer garden in Barrow" also saw an onslaught of thirsty customers. Located prominent location, The Kings Arms on Dalton Road dates all the way back to the 1860s.

Brian at the pub said: "We have a massive beer garden so the combination of the nice weather and the Bank Holday meant we were really busy. 

"We were expecting it to be quieter when the Cartmel Races weren't on but it was busy all weekend. Definitely the busiest all year."

The hot weather looks set to continue all week with weather staying dry and highs of 21C expected into the weekend. Quite unusually for the UK, no rain is predicted which may mean another boom for local businesses. 

Generally, the days will feel warm this week with a very light breeze. Overnight looks set to be a tad chillier with the temperatures in more exposed part of Cumbria about 5C.