Barry Travel Guide

Tourist 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

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

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

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
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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

Porthkerry

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

Porthkerry

Llancadle

Though Llancadle may not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like 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
The price is £93 per night from 30 Jul to 31 Jul
£93
30 Jul - 31 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Barry. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8/10 Very Good! (702 reviews)
Solo overnight trip
"Just a quick overnight trip and room was great for a solo traveller, bed was ok but mattress was getting a bit worn out and probably needs replacing, shower was great and enjoyed the coffee and biscuits, didn’t use any of the other hotels facilities"

Reviewed on 24 Jul 2025

Celtic International Hotel Cardiff Airport
The Mount Rooms

The Mount Rooms

4 out of 5
Porthkerry Road, Barry, Wales
The price is £47 per night from 3 Aug to 4 Aug
£47
3 Aug - 4 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Barry. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
7.6/10 Good! (962 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 12 Jul 2025

The Mount Rooms
Fox & Hounds

Fox & Hounds

4 out of 5
Llancarfan, Barry, Wales
The price is £104 per night from 3 Aug to 4 Aug
£104
3 Aug - 4 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly inn in Barry. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Popular attractions Barry Island Beach and Fonmon Castle ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (104 reviews)
Excellent :)
"My partner and I had a wonderful stay at The Fox and Hounds. A little haven just up the road from the bustle of Cardiff where we had a brilliant night seeing the Stereophonics. Adam and all staff couldn’t have been more welcoming and attentive, very friendly locals and a brilliant taxi firm recommended ..."

Reviewed on 14 Jul 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 Wi-Fi, 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
House Sleeps 10-garden-parking-nearbarryisland

House Sleeps 10-garden-parking-nearbarryisland

2 out of 5
Barry, Wales
Stay at this residence in Barry. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a garden. Popular attractions Barry Island Beach and Limpert Bay are located nearby.
House Sleeps 10-garden-parking-nearbarryisland
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 Wi-Fi, parking (surcharge) and laundry facilities. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
9/10 Wonderful! (266 reviews)
Spires 2 Bed Apartment in Cardiff.
"Easy hassle-free access to building in a great area ( just past Cardiff Castle near Sophie Gardens nearby). The 2 bed apartment ( with en-suites) was very clean with good decor. Very comfortable beds. Good sized rooms. We had a very quiet and chilled stay. Kitchen/community room was very well equipped. ..."

Reviewed on 25 Jul 2025

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.

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