Barry

Travel Guide

A row of colorful beach huts with stone walls in the background.
A bridge with balustrades overlooking a waterfront during sunset.
A rocky shoreline with a beach and a distant view of a town.
A sandy beach with rocky outcrops and a row of houses on a cliff.
A sandy beach with gentle waves, a rocky breakwater, and a clear blue sky.

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

Find the best Barry areas for the activities you enjoy most.

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.

Rhoose

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

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.

The Knap

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

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.

Celtic International Hotel Cardiff Airport

Celtic International Hotel Cardiff Airport

3 out of 5
Port Road Barry Wales
The price is RM270 per night from 10 Sept to 11 Sept
RM270
RM324 total
10 Sept - 11 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Barry. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
8.2/10 Very good! (837 reviews)
"We had a lovely stay, great location. Staff were lovely and helpful. Improvments could be made. Family room needs better lighting, a fridge would be great as the milk went bad, the fan in the bathroom didn’t work so the bathroom was very wet after a shower, and the shower was extremely hot, no child ..."

Reviewed on 8 Sept 2026

Celtic International Hotel Cardiff Airport
The Mount Rooms

The Mount Rooms

4 out of 5
Porthkerry Road Barry Wales
The price is RM224 per night from 20 Sept to 21 Sept
RM224
RM269 total
20 Sept - 21 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Barry. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a fitness centre and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
7.6/10 Good! (1,001 reviews)
"Bedding towels clean, plenty tea coffee,decor tired, cigarette debris on entering off putting,friendly staff."

Reviewed on 9 Sept 2026

The Mount Rooms
Celtic Manor Resort

Celtic Manor Resort

5 out of 5
Chepstow Road Newport Wales
The price is RM667 per night from 20 Sept to 21 Sept
RM667
RM800 total
20 Sept - 21 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this luxury hotel in Newport. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 indoor pools and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in their ...
Celtic Manor Resort
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 apartment in Barry. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, parking (surcharge) and furnished patios. Popular attractions Barry Island Beach and Cardiff Bay are located ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (35 reviews)
"This was our second time of staying here and again was not disappointed it was clean and tidy and had everything we needed. The only issue was the mattress we feel a new one would be beneficial due to wear"

Reviewed on 5 Sept 2026

Goodstay Apartments by Urban Space
 Park Lane Aparthotel

Park Lane Aparthotel

4 out of 5
23-24 Park Place Cardiff Wales
Stay at this apartment in Cardiff. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, meeting facilities and housekeeping. Popular attractions Cardiff Castle and Principality Stadium are located ...
7.6/10 Good! (87 reviews)
"Good location, smooth checkin and staff member I encountered on arrival was friendly. Comfy bed, plenty of pillows & towels. Enough plates / utensils etc for 2, needs a chopping board. Ground floor studio felt a little exposed as vehicle and pedestrian traffic going past window - which was frosted ..."

Reviewed on 7 Sept 2026

Park Lane Aparthotel
The Spires Serviced Apartments Cardiff

The Spires Serviced Apartments Cardiff

3 out of 5
10 Cathedral Rd Cardiff Wales
Stay at this apartment in Cardiff. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, parking (surcharge) and laundry facilities. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their ...
9/10 Wonderful! (329 reviews)
"Very nice where we were"

Reviewed on 25 Aug 2026

The Spires Serviced Apartments Cardiff
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.

Stay near popular Barry attractions

Things to do