Barry - Watch House Bay

Barry Island is not actually an island.  It used to be, but in the late 19th century the docks built there joined it to the mainland. 
Today Barry is South Wales’s largest town and has all the traditional amusements and places to eat and drink that one would expect in a seaside town of this size, including a pleasure park and a vibrant High Street with quite a few quirky, independent shops.

Watch House Bay, also known as Watch Tower Bay, is one of the quieter beaches in the Barry Island area.  At high tide the pebble beach here is flanked by rocks on one side and low rise cliffs with dense trees on the other.  When the tide recedes, a vast expanse of sand is exposed. There is a slipway and a small jetty leading down to the water.

The old watch house, which can still be seen on the beach, was built in the 1860’s as a lookout over the old harbour, and reminds visitors of the area’s nautical past. During the 16th and 17th century this was a flourishing port.

Behind the beach is a park area with a marine lake in the shape of a Welsh harp. The closest facilities are at Knapp Beach, a short walk away.