Barry

Travel Guide

Barry
Photo by Jason Thomas
Photo by Jamie Moore
Photo by Melanie Hartshorn
Photo by Melanie Hartshorn

Barryis the largest town in Wales.It is packed full of maritime and industrial history, but most visitors know itbest for the seaside resort of BarryIsland that sits at its southern tip. Barry is far from beingall beach, beach, beach, but, if its sand, fun and amusements you seek, it canprovide it by the bucketful!

Barryis located just 5 miles west of Cardiff Airport in the Vale of Glamorgan. Youcan almost smell the fresh sea air as your plane touches down into the airport,and it won’t be long before you are feeling the sand between your toes.

For Those Whodo Like to be Beside the Seaside

Blessed with beautifully spacious sandy beaches atWhitmore Bay, Jackson Bay and the Old Harbour, Barry also boasts a delightfullylong pebbled beach that stretches all the way from Knap Point to the mostsouthern point of mainland Wales.This stretch of the coast has a phenomenal tidal range of 15 metres, whichmakes for plenty of room to enjoy the sand.

The young, and the young at heart, will love Barry Island. It’s theperfect place to take in the sun, build a sandcastle, fly a kite, treatyourself to ice-creams, gorge yourself on candy floss and enjoy the promenade,adventure golf courses, amusements, shops and funfair rides.

The south-facing beach of Whitmore Bay ranks as one ofthe finest in Wales,with its sweeping crescent of perfectly golden sand. What’s more it is easilyaccessible to wheelchair users and protected from the roads by a widepromenade, so children can play quite safely here. 

Barry Island:Home to Gavin & Stacey

Fans of the hit BBC TV show Gavin & Stacey candiscover ‘what’s occurring’ (and seewhere it occurred) on tours around the town. You can take in all the famouslocations, from Gavin’s  home in TrinityStreet to the ‘slots’ arcade where Nessa worked, and relive all your favouritemoments.

Barry Beyondthe Beach

For sporting fans there are three fantastic eighteenhole golf courses nearby and many live football and rugby matches just a shorttrip away in Cardiff.

Nature lovers will enjoy the Welsh Hawking Centre,where there are more than 200 birds of prey, or taking a walk throughPorthkerry Country Park, which offers the tranquillity of 220 acres of woodlandand meadows. Sheltered in in a valley that gradually winds its way down to asecluded pebble beach flanked by spectacular cliffs, the park offers a realchance to get away from it all.

Enjoy Barry

With its industrial and maritime heritage, stunningbeaches, scenic walks, bustling seaside and sporting facilities Barry offers a lot ofsomething for everyone. Fancy a trip?

Where to stay in Barry

Saint Athan

Gourmet restaurants interesting history and top sights from Watch House Beach to Limpert Bay – discover Saint Athan, a destination also famous for its shopping.

Saint Athan

Rhoose

3.5/5(55 area reviews)

Rhoose is noteworthy for its bars, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Watch House Beach and Porthkerry Country Park.

Rhoose
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Llancarfan

Llancarfan might not have many top sights, but Barry Island Beach and Barry Island Pleasure Park are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Llancarfan

Penmark

Travellers like the monuments in Penmark, and Penmark Castle is a top attraction you might want to visit.

Penmark

Porthkerry

Visitors to Porthkerry enjoy its restaurants, and if you want to do some exploring, Porthkerry Country Park is worth a stop.

Porthkerry

East Aberthaw

Though East Aberthaw may not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Watch House Beach and Barry Island Beach.

East Aberthaw
Celtic International Hotel Cardiff Airport

Celtic International Hotel Cardiff Airport

3 out of 5
Port Road, Barry/Cardiff, Barry, Wales
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Barry. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8/10 Very Good! (713 reviews)
"I wouldn’t say it’s a walkable distance from the airport, but it was quiet and clean."

Reviewed on 16 Aug 2025

Celtic International Hotel Cardiff Airport
The Mount Rooms

The Mount Rooms

4 out of 5
Porthkerry Road, Barry, Wales
The price is RM214 per night from 1 Sept to 2 Sept
RM214
RM257 total
1 Sept - 2 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Barry. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
7.6/10 Good! (977 reviews)
"No where to fill kettle up alot of stairs for my partner the sink was to small but overall not bad very friendly staff"

Reviewed on 22 Aug 2025

The Mount Rooms
Fox & Hounds

Fox & Hounds

4 out of 5
Llancarfan, Barry, Wales
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly inn in Barry. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Popular attractions Barry Island Beach and Fonmon Castle ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (113 reviews)
Great
"Awesome food, excellent atmosphere. The rooms are little bit dated but overall I would 100% come back to stay…"

Reviewed on 18 Aug 2025

Fox & Hounds
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Goodstay Apartments by Urban Space

Goodstay Apartments by Urban Space

4 out of 5
Hood Road, Barry, Wales
Stay at this 4-star apartment in Barry. Enjoy free WiFi, parking (surcharge), and furnished patios. Popular attractions Barry Island Beach and Cardiff Bay are ...
9/10 Wonderful! (31 reviews)
"Really convenient apartment for visiting Barry Island. We also enjoyed the facilities at Good sheds."

Reviewed on 21 Apr 2025

Goodstay Apartments by Urban Space
The Spires Serviced Apartments Cardiff

The Spires Serviced Apartments Cardiff

3 out of 5
10 Cathedral Rd, Cardiff, Wales
Stay at this 3-star apartment in Cardiff. Enjoy free WiFi, parking (surcharge), and laundry facilities. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
9/10 Wonderful! (269 reviews)
"Great location, friendly staff, only stayed one night. Daughter has dietary needs so kitchen was a bonus"

Reviewed on 1 Aug 2025

The Spires Serviced Apartments Cardiff
Student Only Eclipse

Student Only Eclipse

2 out of 5
Newport Rd Ln, Cardiff, Wales
Stay at this apartment in Cardiff. Enjoy free WiFi, a 24-hour front desk, and a garden. Popular attractions Cardiff Castle and Principality Stadium are located ...
Student Only Eclipse
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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