The Knap Gardens are one of the most popular parks in Barry…read more It's an attractive triangular garden of lawns and borders, with a small stream running into a large boating lake, which is built in the shape of a Welsh Harp. The lake is home to a colony of swans and ducks, as well as the odd seabird. On sunny week-end afternoons, it's busy with families, including those with remote controlled boats. There's also a sheltered sunken garden with a small pond and fountain, with high hedges to keep off the stiff breezes that blow in from the Bristol Channel. The park backs onto Cold Knap beach, and at the other end are shops and cafes providing teas and ice-creams. There is ample parking at the nearby car park adjacent to the beach.

Other reviews are great but I just wanted to add that there are now parking restrictions on the car…read morepark in the evening. It closes at 5.30pm -- you can get out if you've parked up before then but you cant get in to park - there are only a few spaces available (disabled parking etc). I was chased by a swan when I last went so I now leave the bread at home - and I have also noticed some 'do not feed the ducks' signs! The skate park is popular with the youngsters and there's some fantastic talent over there! It's great to go over and watch them.

Barry leisure is my local and as a lifestyle member I get to use all the facilities of the three…read moreparticipating leisure centers. The best thing about Barry is the fact that there are at least three pilates classes a week and as someone who only deals with really low impact exercise you can see how this would appeal. For the less lazy, there is cardio, circuits and aerobics. Like the other two centers you'll find a decent sized pool and a health suite with sauna, steam room and jacuzzi as well as sunbeds and of course the obligatory water slide. A local leisure center is great for just dropping in without paying a hefty annual fee, a much underrated service in my opinion.

I used to work very close to this leisure centre, so tried it out a few times for pilates and other…read moreexercise classes. It's a friendly place, with good facilities, and my only gripe would be that the changing rooms and showers offer no privacy! I don't know about you, but I don't really fancy bumping into one of my colleagues naked in the changing rooms... If that doesn't bother you, however, the centre has a good range of activities on offer. Classes include aqua aerobics, circuit training, Tone & Stretch, Pilates, Cardio Tone, Body Blast, Boxfit, and Young at Heart (for older people) - amongst many others. In addition to the regular classes in the main sports hall area, there are swimming pools (a main pool and a small pool, with reasonable prices), plus there's a gym, squash courts, and a health suite (which includes a steam room and a sauna).

Bagz sells a wide range of stylish handbags most of them being leather. There is a big variety to…read moresuit everyone's tastes. They also sell a big selection of suitcases some of these are very unique and there all different sizes to suit all occasions. Some of the suitcases are displayed outside the shop the rest are at the back of the shop. I find that the prices are very good especially on the suitcases. They have recently they have also been selling tutus and other bright neon accessories. I have found it to be one of the cheapest places selling the tutus. I find it really easy to find what you're looking for in there as the shop is well laid out. I have to admit not all the bags are to my taste but I have seen a few I like in there.

Whitmore Bay is what most people think of when they talk about Barry Island, and has all the…read moreameneties you'd expect for a suburban resort: amusement arcades and fish'n'chips abound. Just behind is a small fairground, which I recall visiting when I was a small child - I used then to think it was quite impressive! The bay has also now been made famous by featuring extensively in the TV series 'Gavin and Stacey'. Up until the 1960s, however, it used to be packed during Bank Holidays with people coming on day trips from the mining communities in the valleys: newsreel footage shows every inch of sand covered with families! It's rather quieter than that, now, but still popular for day trips.

The larger of the two beaches on the island, this is very popular with holiday makers and local…read morewalkers. It's a surprisingly huge beach with soft golden sand and long headlands on either side. Ideal for families throughout the season for swimming and sunbathing. There is usually a coastguard presence. There are horse and carriage rides along the beach in summer, and many tourist and beach shops, cafes and fast food outlets around the promenade. The famous Pleasure Park lies behind the beach. The island railway station is fairly close (by foot) and you can journey to Cardiff from here.

Found west of Friar's Point on Barry Island, this is a popular place for dog walkers when the tide…read moreis out. There's a large expanse of sand with some rocks and shingle nearer to the road and nearby Knap Point, a grassy promontory. When the tide is in the waves provide quite good surfing conditions, although I've never surfed here myself! I used to be involved in the annual beach cleaning operation here and on Barry Island's beaches and a fair bit of litter builds up from time to time which isn't washed away by the tide.

This attractive and steeply sloping park has large areas of lawn, formal borders, a small…read morearboretum, bowling green and tennis courts. The gardens were laid out at the end of the 19th century, and my grandfather played football here before going on to become a professional soccer player, so it has a close family connection for me. The park is busy with families, children and students on sunny days - a great place for kicking a ball about, or maybe flying a kite (so long as you stay away from the trees!). It's just a stone's throw from the Knap Gardens and beach at Cold Knap, but tends to be more sheltered.

It is a pleasant spot and definitely a nice place to walk all year round. We often used to go there…read morewhen we lived nearby.