Things To Do

Surrounding Area

Situated in Barry near the Welsh Sea-side and a stones throw away from the well known Barry Island famous for its golden sand beaches and a must see for fans of the TV show 'Gavin and Stacey'

Discover why you chose to stay with us and explore many of the wonderful things to do here at the famouse Barry island. We have prepared an events schedule depenant upon your stay.

Plan to start your visit by thinking of your eating options, Barry has so few restuarants, you might think it prudent to book a table up to a week or more before your arrival.

DAY 1

Arrive early in the afternoon and time for a quick cuppa from your complimentary tray, which includes tea,coffee,biscuits and Fresh Milk. Then time to head off and park your car outside of the Train Station for Free on Street Parking which is available 24\7 and hop on the Train to Barry Island, the Train leaves every 20 minutes and crosses the Causeway with stunning views of the Old Harbour, built as a refuge for ships in distress to wait out the storms. The Train is just 1 stop away and arrives directly across the road from the Main Attractions and the Promenard of Barry Island.

Time to Play the slots, jump on the rides or pick up some hotdogs from the many cafe's on the Frontage.

Remember this is the Home of the Famouse BBC TV Series "Gavin n Stacey" and sure enough on the side of Marco's Cafe you will find a cut out to pop your face through to have a photo opportunity with the Stars. 

The views from the Promenard looking out to the Sea are stunning and you have the option here to go left or right along the Promenard and visit either Jackson Bay or The Old Harbour, Both worthy of an outing or but best left for another day.

If time is your friend, jump on the Train and return to Barry Station and take a walk up [parking practically non existant] to No 47, Trinity Street, Barry and visit the Film house of Gavin n Stacey, it's just around the corner from your Apartment \ Studio.

"The family house in

Gavin and Stacey is known for being the home of Gavin and Stacey Shipman and mum Gwen, as well as the site of a million omelettes. But in reality, 47 Trinity Street is the beloved home of Glenda Kenyon, 65 – although she's more than happy for fans of Gavin and Stacey to drop by.22 Jul 2019"

Time to head back home for Dinner and that booked restuarant, you did remember to book did'nt you 

All is not lost, it is always possible to visit the "Sheds" around the corner for drinks and food, which are just under the Rail Arch by the Traffic Lights on Broad St or perhaps a visit to Weatherspoons by the Train Station.

Hope you had a great 1st day 

DAY 2 

Time for something a little different today, why not head out to Sully Island rising nice and early this morning, This is a little gem that only some of the locals know about. To get there you need to take your car to the last exit at McDonnalds roundabout on the Cardiff Road, Barry and head up through Sully on the B4267 after the Sports Centre on your Right at the cross roads take a RIGHT Turn into a Lane marked as "Beach Road" - one blink and you could easily miss it. At the end of the road it enters a large Car Park. 

Sully island is right in front of you and reached by a causeway on low tide, remember to check the tides as you could be stuck waiting for 4 hours or more if your timing is off. Remember also that the sea water around the island has strong under currents, so it only takes a small height of water to wash you away! So please do not be tempted to wade over to the island.

Sully island is another of those National Trust owned properties and presently Free to walk upon, I think it a great place to see birds and rabbits.

It so happens that you are in a great place as situated to the back of the car park at the entrance of the car park is the Spinney Cafe and a great place for a Brunch, do book if arriving on a Saturday \ Sunday or Bank Holiday and ask for seating in the conservatory, where you will get to appreciate the incredible views of Sully Island and Flat Holme & Steep Holme. 

               SPINNY CAFE Beach Road, Sully CF64 5UG

                           Tel Reservation 029 2053 1762
 

or if you prefer a liquid meal with cooked in the bag food why not try the Pub also located in the Car Park it also offers a childrens play area.

Next may I suggest you head off up to the Main Road, at the top of "Beach Road" take a RIGHT Turn at the cross roads onto the B4267 towards Penarth and approximately half a mile on your LEFT take a turn into Cosmeston Lake, park up and take a walk around this man made lake, which was once a Quarry. Swimming is banned but does not stop the youngsters cooling off in the hot summer months, not to sure if they have a Water Policeman yet, but they do have a coffee shop ! Remember to take some bread to feed the Ducks and Swans.

Time to move on having walked around the lake and time enough for a quick visit to Penarth Pier, this is a must see but not a great place to find a parking spot, but patience and luck on your side you should be good to go. The Pier allows fishermen to use the Pier with a segregated part. Exiting the Pier you will see a row of restuarants and cafes and may want to come back in the evening for a Meal at one of the many restaurants overlooking the River Seven for a romantic meal for two.

There is a small shopping centre up the Hill and a nice Arcade showing off some private shops, this is worth a walk about.

Time now to be heading down towards the Penarth Marina & Haven Bay where you can pick up a Ferry to Cardiff Bay stoping to Park your car in the Car Park, now jump on the Ferry and head over to Cardiff Bay, here is a place with one thing only in mind - FOOD, it is just full of restaurant brands all eager to serve you, but if food is not on your mind then take a walk around to the Right as you land, towards the Norwegian Church and the LIGHT SHIP (a Floating Light House) onboard they have a simple cafe serving snacks, but what a must visit location. The other side of Cardiff Bay is Techniquest, which definitely brings out the boy \ girl in you.

Keep an eye on the time, do not miss the last boat back to your car.
 

Did you decide to eat out tonight, may I suggest the Rahil, this is my all time favorite Indian Restaurant, the Proprietor and Staff are just so polite and happy to see you, they have an incredible wine list and like the food is just so affordable.

                    RAHIL 26, Holton Road, Barry CF63 4HD

                                          Tel: 01446 720259

                ***** They also offer a Take Away Menu *****

I do hope that Day 2 floated your boat as they say and you are ready for another fun filled day tomorrow.

DAY 3 

Hopefully you still have some energy and time to continue exploring Barry and the surrounding gems.

Why not make your first stop today at Romilly's Tea Rooms at the Knap [lake] at Lakeside where you can enjoy a cooked English breakfast up to a 11am cutoff time, or what about a return latter that day having booked a table for afternoon tea.

                                                  Romilly Tea Rooms

                            1 & 2 Bron y More, lakeside, Barry. CF62 6SW 

                                                   Tel 01446 67 86 11

Around the corner and under the Rail Bridge we have Romilly Park, donated to the people of Barry by Lord Romilly and an incredible place to play Bowls, Hire a Tennis Court or just swing in the park. This is the home of many events including the annual GlastonBarry Music Festival and Barry Carnival Fair.
 

As you leave Romilly's Tea Rooms, why not take a Right turn this takes you onto the Lake, in time to feed the Ducks and the Swans,walking to the right of the Lake takes you to a recently refurbished Roller Board Park, just above you have Pebble Beach and home of the Sun Worshipers who dig out the Pepples to act as Sun Pods, why called pebble beach, well we have enough to export to the EU - this Beach is just Covered in Pebbles.

Pebble Beach is famous for landing some of the Largest Cod in the United Kingdom which may be attributed to Barry having some of the UK's Highest Tides, when the Tide is out you can see the height from the top of the esplanard to the sea and it's quite a drop. On a clear day you will experience an incredible view of Somerset and the River Seven Flowing out to the Irish Sea and to your left the islands of Flat Holm and Steep Holm, Flat Holm has a single Pub called the Gull and Leek, not quite sure who visits as the island only records 1 inhabitant a Mr Simon Parker the Warden, since 2023.

You can continue walking Left as you face out to sea, walking along the Promenade to reach the Old Harbour by going left you will arrive at Watch Tower Bay and the open expanse of sand [sea out] and enjoy a walk across to Barry Island via The Old Harbour and Deja Vu!

Walking to your Right as you face the Sea takes you back towards the Car Park and if you walk up behind the Car Park Toilets you will find a pathway which takes you up over the Cliff tops which leads on to the Golden Steps; some say there are 100 in total; but you will have to search for the Golden Steps hidden within the trees, but trust me they are there.

At the foot of the Golden Steps you have Porthkerry Park a Massive Park housing a Tremendous Railway Viaduct and some great open grassland and woods. Many a Summers evening are spent on the Beach out front of the Park and to your left as you descend the Golden Steps with many a Beach Barbie and live music taking  place during the summer months, it also boast a coffee shop.

Porthkerry Park can also be accessed via Pebble Beach by walking along the Beach Front, but do check out the tide as with the Cliffs behind you, there is no where to run. By car is a little more difficult as the Park Entrance is hidden to the side of Oxford Street, it is like the Vale of Glamorgan Council are trying to keep it all a secret, totally weird I know. Please note that if taking a car they are steering everyone to the Pay Car Park, believing that the good people of Barry would not mind paying twice over to use the Park !

Where to next, home perhaps for a cuppa and get ready for a night out, then do try having a pre dinner drink at the "Sheds" Word on the block is that it is different and worthy of a visit, it is  located just 5 min walk from your apartment, simply travel down Broad Street and take a LEFT at the Traffic Lights, on the other side of the Rail Tunnel turn LEFT again and cross the road, you have arrived. May I also suggest pre booking :-
 

                                 The LITTLE OLIVE - Italian Restaurant

                                          19, Broad St Barry CF62 7AB    

                                             Telephone 01446 311 886

This is a pretty busy restaurant so popular it can take up to 2 weeks to get a table, but from my past visits, I truly can understand why it is so popular.
 

Hope you had a great end to Day 3

DAY 4 

Where to next, what about a day trip by Train to Cardiff, visit Cardiff Castle built in the 11th Century and after your visit have High Tea in the Tea Rooms next door.

Walk or Drive to Barry Train Station, parking after 9am may be a little busy for Public Parking on the road, so unless you want to pay for parking it may be best to take the 5 min Stroll, down the hill.

At the station you need to be on the Platform nearest to the entrance \ exit, you can buy your ticket at the machine outside or from the conductor on the Train. The Service is every 20 minutes and you should look to disembark at Queen Street for Shopping and Central for Cardiff Castle.

Cardiff Castle is a must do and will take around 2 hours after which dependant on your timings you may wish to go Left to Shop or Right approx 100mtrs to the Tea Rooms attached to the Castle at the Side, both good choices.

But before you leave Cardiff, you have to venture around the corner from the Castle to the Indoor Fish n Meat Market and a Host of other sales items when it comes to food or spare parts for an antigue record player, this is a great place to shop for local food, offering some of the Best Fresh Fish and Meat in Wales.

Just off the market you will find St Davids Arcade and let the shoping begin, there is also an M & S If you are thinking of having a meal for two indoors tonight, feet up watching a netflix movie.

Fancy doing something out of the box here, after your visit why not take a one way Boat Ride from Bute Park [Tea Rooms located here in the Park] taking a Boat Ride down to Cardiff Bay and then after your visit you could return by Train back up into Cardiff Central Station and then change platforms for your Train back to Barry Station.

Cardiff is a whole day, with little or no time to do anything else and wipes out even the hardiest of travellers.

I hope you have enjoyed your 4th Day's adventure

DAY 5 

DAY 6 

This Day is set to be a traditional visit to nearby Cowbridge Village and on your way home maybe a visit to the local Winary or Castle Goch, see Day 7 for Details.

Cowbridge easily dates from the early part of the 12th Century and from 1960 due to the bye pass road became a more friendly place to visit and shop. It has a covered Market and a Lovely Brocant with a Tea Room sited behind the Pub :-

HAPPY DAYS

Church St,

Cowbridge

CF71 7BB

Apart from Happy Days, I do like to eat at Farthings on the Main High St, which serves a small menu of meals suitable for lunch time dining, a meal you perhaps can enjoy without the need to find some where to sleep it off.

There are some lovely shops here including a great open all hours ironmongers and a deli opposite.

The pubs with some great exterior old features offer drinks and meals, one offering a small private car park at reduced parking rates.

Check out the Indoor market by the river for fresh items and also note that Cowbridge does have throughout the Calendar a selection of Fairs.

Nearby we have Bridgend Town, which offers a small shoping centre and indoor market or why not take a drive up to :-

TRAGO MILLS

Swansea Road,

Merthyr Tydfil

CF48 1HT

here we have an enormouse retailer offering everything from a motor bike to a cucumber, all under one single roof, trust me here, you will need 2hrs here just to walk around the place. There is a cafe attached selling cheap canteen type meals, I have eaten the Fish n Chips a few times and its an ok meal.

Time to head back at the end to another day.

DAY 7 

Take your pick day today