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

The fantastic nightlife and popular shops are just a few highlights of Saint Athan. Make a stop by Watch House Beach or Limpert Bay while you're exploring the area.

Saint Athan

Rhoose

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

While Llancarfan isn't home to many top sights, Barry Island Beach and Barry Island Pleasure Park are some notable places to visit nearby.

Llancarfan

Penmark

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

Penmark

Cadoxton

While Cadoxton isn't home to many top sights, Barry Island Pleasure Park and Barry Island Beach are some notable places to visit nearby.

Cadoxton
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The Knap

Though The Knap might not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Barry Island Beach and Barry Island Pleasure Park.

The Knap
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! (730 reviews)
Cheap and cheerful
"Cheap and cheerful come to mind. Closest to Cardiff Airport is big plus. They have a wonderful restaurant with very reasonable food and service (good thing as there is nothing else around.) Very modest rooms biggest draw back are the beds, they are a bit bouncy and the springs are noisy (need a trip ..."

Reviewed on Sep 11, 2025

Celtic International Hotel Cardiff Airport
The Mount Rooms

The Mount Rooms

4 out of 5
Porthkerry Road, Barry, Wales
The price is P2,913 per night from Sep 28 to Sep 29
P2,913
P3,496 total
Sep 28 - Sep 29
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! (990 reviews)
Perfect for a cheap night away, needs tlc.
"The staff were fantastic, the hotel's communal areas are perfect however the room we had was in desperate need of attention. Bedside tables were worn and hanging off the wall, the bath needed a clean. The room needs a bit of tlc. We slept lovely, it was quiet. For the price we cannot complain but ..."

Reviewed on Sep 8, 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! (114 reviews)
Great
"Awesome food, excellent atmosphere. The rooms are little bit dated but overall I would 100% come back to stay…"

Reviewed on Aug 18, 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 Apr 21, 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! (273 reviews)
"Great apartment. Very clean and comfortable, had everything we needed."

Reviewed on Sep 14, 2025

The Spires Serviced Apartments Cardiff
Quay Apartments Clarence House

Quay Apartments Clarence House

3.5 out of 5
Clarence Place, Newport, Wales
Stay at this 3.5-star apartment in Newport. Enjoy free WiFi, parking (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Popular attractions Friars Walk Newport and Belle ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (140 reviews)
"Okay"

Reviewed on Aug 25, 2025

Quay Apartments Clarence House
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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