Often hailed as ‘the glory days’ by many residents and visitors, the late 1900s may not have seen Barry Island at its busiest but it still harbours fond memories of days playing in the sand and basking in the sun.
This time is often thought of as the area’s ‘last hurrah’ before the holiday camp would be closed and begin its decline.
Like many families today, the journey would begin with a car or train ride to the Island, often buzzing with excitement at the prospect of spending a day letting loose in the sea and snacking on chips and ice cream to your hearts content.
The holiday abroad was still expensive for the working-class people in nearby areas like Cardiff, the Valleys and the rest of the Vale, so a trip to Barry was the next best thing and an excellent compromise during the summer months. In most cases, these trips would happen once a year and would be a huge deal for the families in question.
After exiting the harbour car park, visitors would quickly be greeted by the smell of fish and chips, thanks to a few stalls that would run around the corner near the fair and sell chips and doughnuts. It’s a nostalgic smell today, even though these specific stalls have long since been demolished.
A large iron shed housed the arcade that was full of old mechanical games, shooting galleries and penny drops. These arcades would simply wait on a sunny day, as families flocked to the sand to secure their spot on a packed beach. Much like today, warm weather would see Whitmore Bay packed with people.
One noticeable difference for those who visited the Island then and now would be the lack of attractions on the sand. Back then a bouncy castle offered youngsters a place to let their energy out, alongside donkey and horse & cart rides that would give visitors the chance to see more of the beach without the need to walk up and down the sands.
Even back in the 80s and 90s, Barry Island Pleasure Park still held the same appeal to visitors. The Ghost Train, Fun House, Safari Ride, and Whacky Goldmine all gave families the chance to chase some adrenaline and even cool down on the Log Flume.
Though it may have changed, the essence of Barry Island remains as a standout location for those wishing for a staycation.
All photographs in this article were sourced from the Barry Island Historical Group. Their Facebook page has thousands of images to view of Barry’s history.
