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?
Celtic International Hotel Cardiff Airport

Celtic International Hotel Cardiff Airport

3 out of 5
Port Road Barry Wales
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 ...
8/10 Very Good! (755 reviews)
Comfortable and spacious room.

Reviewed on 15 Dec, 2025

Celtic International Hotel Cardiff Airport
The Mount Rooms

The Mount Rooms

4 out of 5
Porthkerry Road Barry Wales
The price is S$74 per night from 6 Jan to 7 Jan
S$74
6 Jan - 7 Jan
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 ...
7.6/10 Good! (1,001 reviews)
Perfect for our mini stay, clean and comfy. Close amenities and friendly staff. Will be definitely coming back in the new year.

Reviewed on 3 Jan, 2026

The Mount Rooms
The Angel Hotel

The Angel Hotel

3 out of 5
Castle Street Cardiff Wales
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Cardiff. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (2,892 reviews)
Very curteous. Lovely history

Reviewed on 31 Dec, 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.
1-bed Cottage on Coastal Pathway in South Wales

1-bed Cottage on Coastal Pathway in South Wales

3 out of 5
Barry Wales
Stay at this beach holiday home in Barry. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a private beach. Popular attractions Limpert Bay and Watch House Beach are located ...
1-bed Cottage on Coastal Pathway in South Wales
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! (309 reviews)
I have stayed at the spires 3 times in the past month. On two occasions the room has been great/.modern with ensuite and kitchen lounge . One occasion was not so great with the bedroom straight off the main corridor door. Noise untill the early hours. Would I stay again yes

Reviewed on 10 Dec, 2025

The Spires Serviced Apartments Cardiff
 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 ...
7.4/10 Good! (58 reviews)
Great

Reviewed on 15 Dec, 2025

Park Lane Aparthotel
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

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Reviews of Barry

3.7
Guest rating
5 - Excellent
15
5 - Excellent 21%
4 - Good
24
4 - Good 34%
3 - Okay
28
3 - Okay 40%
2 - Disappointing
3
2 - Disappointing 4%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller

Its a bit grotty in places, very run down, but the front is lovely

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

The hotel is in rhoose even though listed as barry great for people flying out of aiport and good location to barry,vale of glamorgan and easy reach to cardiff city centre.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Lovely clean beach, cheap parking! Would definitely recommend a visit especially for Gavin & Stacey fans! Whitmore & Jackson is a fantastic place to eat too.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Was so surprised at how lovely Barry is and how big it is - kids loved it down on the beach even in December! All rides open and again lovely friendly people .

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller

It's a typical Welsh town, don't expect much more.

3/5 - Okay

David

Roads are awful. This is Cardiff Airport main route flying into Wales, needs a major sort out. Embarrassing.

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