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This seaport on the Vale of
Glamorgan coastline owes its modern prosperity
to a decision in the 19th century
to build docks to rival those at Cardiff. It
is more famous, however, as a place of seaside
fun thanks to Barry ‘island’, a chunk of land
jutting out into the sea. With sandy beaches,
fairground rides and an American-style
amusement park, it has long been a major
holiday hot spot.
The town takes its name from St Baruc, who
is buried on the ‘island’, and has Bronze Age
burial mounds and the ruin of a Norman castle
dating to the 12th century.
Porthkerry Country Park, with over 200 acres
of open space, lies close to the town centre.
The Barry Island Railway Heritage Centre is a
haven for loco-spotters while the Welsh
Hawking Centre is a ‘must see’ for visitors. |
