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

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

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

East Aberthaw

While there might not be top attractions in East Aberthaw, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Watch House Beach and Barry Island Beach.

East Aberthaw
Default Image

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

Porthkerry

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

Porthkerry

Llancadle

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Llancadle and surrounding area, you can visit Watch House Beach and Barry Island Beach.

Llancadle
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! (698 reviews)
Very convenient for airport
"Very large room, excellent breakfast. Not busy at breakfast very relaxed!😁"

Reviewed on Jul 19, 2025

Celtic International Hotel Cardiff Airport
The Mount Rooms

The Mount Rooms

4 out of 5
Porthkerry Road, Barry, Wales
The price is P3,020 per night from Jul 29 to Jul 30
P3,020
P3,624 total
Jul 29 - Jul 30
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! (960 reviews)
Loved it!!
"Loved it. I was seeing a band in Cardiff and picked this hotel as it was close to the train station. Couldn’t have been happier with the service and the hotel. Not going to claim it’s 5 stars but it met all my needs and the late night bar was perfect for a refreshing drink after getting back from ..."

Reviewed on Jul 12, 2025

The Mount Rooms
The Angel Hotel

The Angel Hotel

3 out of 5
Castle Street, Cardiff, Wales
Stay at this 3-star eco-certified hotel in Cardiff. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (2,530 reviews)
"The staff were very helpful the hotel n a great location.steeped in history"

Reviewed on Jul 21, 2025

The Angel Hotel
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! (265 reviews)
Just the fit
"Very good location, close enough to town, but in a quiet Away close to lovely park."

Reviewed on Jun 28, 2025

The Spires Serviced Apartments Cardiff
Newport Student Village - Campus Accommodation

Newport Student Village - Campus Accommodation

4 out of 5
Usk Way, Endeavour House, Newport, Wales
Stay at this 4-star apartment in Newport. Enjoy free WiFi, a 24-hour front desk, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Friars Walk Newport and Belle Vue ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (209 reviews)
"friendly staff, nice clean rooms, easy access to trains/buses/town/shopping"

Reviewed on Jul 19, 2025

Newport Student Village - Campus Accommodation
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.

Popular places to visit

Things to do