Overlooking the Bristol Channel, Barry is a popular Welsh seaside resort with a fascinating past. It served as a raider base for Vikings before being developed into a medieval castle village and an industrial port for exporting coal during the Industrial Revolution. Today, Barry draws visitors to its scenic beaches and attraction-packed pleasure park.
Things to do in Barry
Travelling with kids? Don’t miss a visit to the Barry Island Pleasure Park, which overlooks Barry Island Beach and the Bay of Whitmore. Established in 1897, it features fairground rides and attractions that range from gentle to adrenaline pumping. Young children will love the Cup & Saucers and Giant Ferris Wheel while older kids can get their thrills on the Wild Mouse.
For a day on the sand, head to Barry Island Beach, which is famed for its colourful beach huts. A walking trail hugs the coastline east to Jackson Bay, a scenic cove where you can swim, build sandcastles and go paddleboarding. If you walk in the other direction from Barry Island Beach you’ll arrive at Friars Point, which offers spectacular views across the Bristol Channel.
On the western edge of Barry is Porthkerry Country Park, which encompasses 90 hectares of woodlands and meadows in a scenic valley. A network of nature trails leads to the park’s pebbly beach and impressive cliffs, as well as to the Grade II-listed Porthkerry Viaduct. Constructed in the late 19th century to facilitate the transportation of coal to the Barry Docks, its 16 arches make it a popular subject of photography.
Getting around Barry
Barry is around 20 minutes’ drive from Cardiff and 10 minutes from Cardiff Airport, which has flights to destinations across Europe. Regular trains connect to the Barry, Barry Docks and Barry Island railway stations and buses travel throughout the town.