Barry is a seaside town in South Wales that possesses a distinctive charm and offers you the chance to experience a genuine and unfiltered Welsh culture.
The town is best known for Barry Island, a peninsular which is home to its iconic beach and nostalgic fun fair. But having spent time exploring the town, I discovered that there is more to Barry than its celebrated attractions.
In this guide, I'll share my top recommended things to do in Barry, from the burgeoning independent shops to scenic walking trails just a stone's throw away.
1. Visit the 'Independent High Street' at Barry Goodsheds
The highlight of my trip to Barry was visiting Barry Goodsheds. This self-proclaimed 'independent high street' is made from shipping containers and old train carriages which are home to independent shops selling gifts, homeware, and clothing.
There's also a food court where you can enjoy street food from cuisines across the world including Greek, Italian, Thai, and Spanish. They also have bars selling craft beer and Barry's first and only rooftop bar.
The food court is fairly large but if you're travelling as a group, I'd recommend that you book a table ahead of time. Check out this short TikTok video I made to get a better idea:
2. Embrace nostalgia at Barry Island Pleasure Park
Barry Island Pleasure Park is a nostalgic fun fair that's sure to bring out the big kid in anyone. From a roller coaster to dodgems, waltzers, and swinging chairs, the Pleasure Park promises an unforgettable experience with a hint of old-world charm.
As well as the rides, there are a host of food and drink stalls with all of the fun fair classics such as candy floss and freshly made doughnuts. The best part about all of this is that it's totally free to visit, you only pay for the rides you go on so there's no reason not to get down there and soak up the atmosphere.
Dotted all around the fun fair are amusement arcades which add an extra layer of excitement to the vibrant atmosphere of Barry Island. From classic pinball machines and coin-pushers to competitive air hockey, these arcades offer endless entertainment for visitors of all ages
3. Relax on Whitmore Bay Beach
Whitmore Bay Beach, more commonly known as Barry Island Beach, is the town's main beach and promenade. At the rear of the beach, you'll find an array of cafes and restaurants where you can grab drinks and snacks to enjoy on the beach.
The beach itself is a beautiful sandy crescent shape beach that's great for building sandcastles, relaxing, and swimming in the sea which has good quality water
Whitmore Bay Beach can get very busy in summer, so my local tip for you is to walk along the path around the rockface where you’ll find Jackson’s Bay which is often quieter so you can catch a tan in peace.
4. Rent an iconic colourful beach hut
Sat along the promenade overlooking the beach, are 24 vibrantly coloured beach huts that are synonymous with British beaches.
Some of these have permanent owners but others are available to hire for the day, with prices starting at just £21 for a small beach hut during peak season and reduced fees during winter.
If you have a big group, these are an ideal place to base yourself with shade and electricity for all your charging needs. If you book a large hut,you'll even have access to running water.
You'll want to book ahead as they are very popular and very affordable. Visit the Vale of Glamorgan booking site to check availability.
5. Enjoy a Nature Trail at Porthkerry Country Park
Just west of Barry (around 30 minutes walking or 5 minutes by car from the town centre), you'll find Porthkerry Park which is 220 acres of woodland and meadow with nature trails, play areas for children, and plenty of open green spaces where you can enjoy a picnic.
If you didn't bring your own food, don't worry as an onsite café serves delicious cold and sweet bits that can be a welcome treat on a hot day.
Whilst in the park, look out for the huge 33m (110ft) high viaduct made up of 16 arches that is an industrial landmark for the town. It was originally designed to carry coal from Barry docks but now only serves as a backup route for passenger trains when work is ongoing on the main lines.
6. See Gavin and Stacey filming locations
Of course, no list of things to do in Barry would be complete without stopping by some Gavin and Stacey filming locations. Top of the list should be 47 Trinity Street (shown above), home of Gwen, Stacey's mum, which is a staple filming location in the show. Find more locations in this guide from the Bemused Backpacker.
If you're a die-hard fan and want to see all of the locations from the series, I would recommend taking a Gavin and Stacey tour of Barry. There are several to choose from but the Brit Movie Tour is the most in-depth. On the three-hour tour, you'll be driven around onboard Dave's Coaches, taking in all of the top locations including Nessa's slots and Trinity Street.
The tour will also reveal lots of facts about the show's making in Barry and uncover little-known information about the characters and creators of the show.
7. Take a Stroll Around Knap Lake and Gardens
For a gentle stroll, why not visit Knap gardens where you can walk around the lake spotting ducks, swans, or even the occasional remote-controlled boat on the lake which is a hotspot for model boaters.
The gardens themselves are pretty small, but you can extend your visit by venturing to nearby Knap beach, viewing the watchtower, or completing the Knap and Porthkerry Circular Trail which takes around 2 hours.
There is no charge to visit Knap gardens and parking is free too, so it makes a great budget activity for families and couples. There is nowhere to eat in the park itself so a picnic is advised, although I'm a big fan of nearby cafe 'The Bridge' which is a family-run establishment making the most incredible paninis and well known for their vegan menu too
8. Being out your competitive side at Smuggler's Cove Mini Golf
Smuggler's Cove is a 12-hole pirate-themed mini golf course situated on the promenade in Barry. Suitable for all the family with special-sized clubs for toddlers too, Smuggler's Cove is sure to get competitive.
Expect obstacles such as waterfalls, shipwrecks, and crocodiles (not the kind that bite don't worry).
A quick tip for those hoping to play mini golf with any provider at Barry Island, these tend to book up quite early so head there as soon as you arrive in Barry and check what waiting times and queues are like.
9. Take a Trip Through Time at Fonmon Castle
Fonmon Castle is a medieval castle around 5 miles outside Barry so it takes around 10-15 minutes to reach by car. Although it was built in the 12th century, it looks more modern than most other castles in South Wales as it was significantly remodelled in the 18th century.
Today, you can visit the castle which makes a great family day out. You can wonder around the grade I listed building and it's gardens where you'll find magnificent lawns and a sensory area. Staff members in full costumes give demonstrations where you'll learn about life in the castle from the Iron Age right through to pirates.
To top off an odd, but exciting, combination of activities, the paleontologically correct dinosaur walk gives you an unforgettable experience, as you come across a life-size collection of dinosaurs. There are tons more exhibits at the castle so you can make a full day of it, see them all and find out how to visit on their website.
10. Take a Step Back in Time at the War Museum
Currently located at the historic railway station, Barry War Museum features a variety of artefacts collected from both world wars alongside incredibly knowledgeable staff who will give you an insight into wartime Barry and tell you some of their own stories.
Inside Barry's only museum, you'll find a WW1 trench, an Anderson Shelter from WW2, costumes and medals of those who fort, and much more. It's not a particularly huge museum so it takes anywhere between 10 minutes and an hour to visit, depending upon how engrossed you are in the exhibits.
Admission to the museum is free, although as it's run by volunteers, keep in mind that it's only open to the public once per week on Wednesday (11am-2pm) and also on the second Sunday of every month (11am-4pm). This is one of the few rainy day activities in Barry since most others are outdoors.
11. Take a Self-Guided Audio Tour With Barry.Cymru
Barry.Cymru offers 11 different self-guided walking trails around Barry and the Vale of Glamorgan. These walks can help you see the more intimate side of the beauty of Welsh nature, plus they are totally free.
Some of the walks include:
- The Docks - A short 20-minute walk along the Waterfront discovering the docks, the Pumphouse, and Goodsheds.
ㅤ - The Coast - A 25minute tour from Cold Knap pebble beach to Romilly Park, exploring Roman ruins along the way.
ㅤ - The Swan-Girls of Barry Island - For something different, this tour takes place in Rhoose and Cadoxton, sharing one of the stories from The Folk-Lore and Folk-Stories of Wales by Marie Trevelyan.
You can see them all here where you can also find the audio for each. They can be taken alone or in small groups.
Related Questions
Is Barry Island Worth Visiting?
Yes, Barry Island is worth a visit at least once in your life so that you can see what it has to offer including the pleasure park, beach, and, Barry Goodsheds. It's very much a love-it-or-hate-it destination, some of you may return time and time again but for others, one visit will be enough.
What is the Beach Like at Barry Island?
The beach at Barry Island is ideal for those wishing for sandy, far-off shores. The pale yellow sand is an ideal flatland that leads down to a long stretch of water. There’s plenty of space on the beach overall, but during the busier holiday seasons, it can become somewhat crowded on the main beach. Jackson’s Bay and Whitmore Bay are two quieter beaches close by.
Why is Barry Island so Popular?
Barry Island is popular because of two main factors:
- Past History – Barry Island has been a tourist hotspot for over a hundred years already and still going strong. The fairground on Barry Island itself first opened in 1897 and was on the map not too many years later.
- Modern Influences – The closure of Barry Island Fair back in 1996 spelt a long lull in tourism, but after renewed investment by the Danter showman dynasty after buying it in 2015. Since then the family have spent millions renovating the fair for years to come.
Published: 10 September 2022 · Last updated: 28 June 2023