This route takes in all that Barry has to offer and passes no less than 5 beaches, a harbour, some lovely gardens and a park, you could complete this route in less than an hour or spend all day hopping from one spot to another.
If you’re rolling in from Cardiff, you may want to hop off at Barry Island train station.
Trains here are less frequent than to Barry (the main station) but the 2 stops are just a 5 minute cycle ride anyway.
On arriving, walk out of the station where you will see the fairground with it’s roller coaster and ‘Barry Eye’ ferris wheel. Take a left up the hill until you reach the junction at the top, bare right where you’ll see a park right in front of you skirting the nice secluded Jackson’s bay beneath.
Our route leads you to the right of the park where in amongst some tall trees you’ll find the ruins of St Baruc’s Church.
Attached to the railings there is a sign with a QR code which gives some history of the site. Here is a short description from Church in Wales:
St. Baruc is an important Celtic saint of Wales. He was a student of the famous St. Cadoc and there has been a place of worship dedicated to Baruc since his burial there around the year 700AD. The name Barry is believed to be a corruption of Baruc and during the middle ages a pilgrimage to Baruc’s burial place was considered to be very important. In fact 4 visits to Baruc were equal to 1 visit to Rome on the pilgrimage “league tables”. Thus Barry Island became a very sacred Christian site.
Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baruc
Carry straight on and take the first exit on the small roundabout up through the small housing estate to the top.
Pass through the narrow walkway which opens out to amazing vistas on the hilltop of Whitmore Bay and beyond. Note that though this path is frequently used by cyclists, I’m not sure what it’s official status is so please give way to walkers and push your bike for a while if necessary.
At the bottom of the hill you’ll see the coastguard hut with radar atop and if you go right you’ll see a great view of Whitmore bay with it’s golden sandy beach, distinct pillared shelters and coloured beach huts beneath.
Here’s a 360 degree view
Make your way down the hill bearing right and skirting the car park, this joins the main walkway all the way to the promenade and Marco’s (‘famous’) Café and the blue flag beach, again be mindful of pedestrians.
After grabbing and ice cream or coffee, take the road past Cadwallader’s Café up the incline to the gate of the Island’s hidden manor house, this secretive place was reportedly once owned by astrologer Russell Grant.
Carry on past the gate to the left on a path which if you keep going, will take to the end of Nell’s Point which juts out into the Bristol Channel and gives great views of the coast in all directions. The terrain here is slightly rocky with a narrow tarmacked walkway which bends back on itself.
Rejoin the pathway which now takes you to the old stone harbour and inner bay which houses the wrecks of several old boats. On a sunny day when the tide’s in, you’ll see bodyboarders and swimmers having a good time here.
Continue around the inner harbour being mindful of pedestrians and meet the car park which will lead you onto another path to the left just before the iron bridge.
This is an actual designated cycle path which skirts around the inner bay to The Parade Gardens. Before the gardens, don’t miss the remains of an old brick storage structure with it’s stone steps going to the waters edge.
Either enter the gardens or take the left road at the junction called The Parade which will take you to the area of Barry called The Knap.
As you approach The Knap Gardens on the road, take a left to the pebbly Watchtower Bay; on a sunny day, body boarders launch themselves from here and it’s a nice place to sit and watch the tide roll in, fishermen often inhabit the rocks here.
Continue around between the old coast guards building and a transformer up to the long Knap Promenade which is fun to cycle up and down. You’ll often find quite a few anglers here on the pebble beach catching the odd Dog fish or even odder Cod. Across the bay to the right, you’ll see the pebble beach and viaduct of Porthkerry where aeroplanes frequently come in to land.
Take a left before the end past the skate park and cycle the perimeter of the gardens.
It’s worth checking out the coffee shops and ice cream parlours just to the left before the junction before you leave the area.
When you’re ready, take a left under the railway bridge. This takes you to the lovely Romilly park with it’s kids play areas, tennis court and bowling green.
Here’s a 360 degree pic
Every summer, Romilly Park is the location for Glastonbarry, a festival of tribute bands which has boasted acts such as Bruno Mars, Pink and Beyonce (not the real one’s of course but it’s only £70 for a whole weekend pass!).
https://mackevents.co.uk/product/glastonbarry-2020-standard-weekend-pass-earlybird/
After exploring the park, rejoin Romilly Park Road which after a junction (be careful of traffic here), joins with Broad Street.
You have the option here of doubling back around the inner harbour and returning to Barry Island train station or carrying on straight to Barry station itself where our Barry Island/Knap route comes to an end.
