Barry Island

Barry Island has attracted visitors since the 1870s and the appeal of its golden beaches, cafés and family amusements is stronger than ever. The addition of new beach huts, a climbing wall, mist feature, landscaped gardens and a covered events amphitheatre on the Eastern Promenade of Whitmore Bay extends the resort along the full length of the beach and adds to its year-round appeal for families of all ages. Small businesses, linked by a real sense of camaraderie, form the backbone of Barry Island – sometimes nicknamed Barrybados! Cosmopolitan café’s now sit alongside traditional Fish & Chip shops offering visitors a choice to suit all, all the while overlooking the best view imaginable of Whitmore Bay, recently awarded the Blue Flag Beach award. And with most café’s welcoming our four legged friends, it really is a day out the whole family can enjoy’.

Events

Barry Island is increasingly known for its eclectic range of events that includes the New Year’s Day Swim, Park Run, the Welsh language festival Gŵyl Fach y Fro, the Festival of Transport and a summer festival called Barry Island Weekenders which kicks off with the Isle of Fire and culminates with Cinema by the Sea on the August Bank Holiday weekend. To find out what’s happening on, go to http://www.visitthevale.com/en/Events/Events.aspx

Jam-packed summer

The free summer fun kicks off on Barry Island with the Festival of Transport, closely followed by Eats Beats and Treats, a Food Festival overlooking the beach, and the Welsh language festival Gŵyl Fach y Fro.  Each week of the summer holidays there’s something happening on Barry Island including the award winning Isle of Fire Festival, Open Air Cinema and Street Theatre Festival. Barry is home to the aptly-named music festival Glastonbarry, and award-winning brass bands provide free musical entertainment on Penarth Pier and a variety of the Vale’s parks. Inland there’s the bi-annual 3 day festival of stories at the Beyond them Border Storytelling Festival at St.Donats, and a celebration of rural living at the Vale of Glamorgan Agricultural Show at Fonmon Castle.

Stay a while

The Vale has such a wide range of quality accommodation to suit every taste and budget, everyone is happy. We have hotels, ranging from budget through to exclusive resort hotels; guest houses and bed and breakfasts and farmhouses offering real on-the-farm experiences. Our self-catering accommodation offer includes beautifully appointed holiday cottages, hostels, caravan and camping sites or Glamping if that’s more your style, camping pods and even a ‘Caban’ (Welsh name for a cabin).

Whatever style of accommodation you are looking for, we’re sure you will find it here in the Vale.

Stay a While – Accommodation list

Search the online database for your accommodation of choice. If you’d like help in finding what’s right for you contact the Vale of Glamorgan tourism team will be happy to help.

Tel: 01446 704867 Email: tourism@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk