Jackson's Bay

A lovelly place to take the grand kids!

Secluded cove catches the southerly sun on sandy beach.

Panoramic view of islands (http://www.lyrics-celebrities.anekatips.com/song-lyrics/b...) and far shores across the Bristol Channel, looks foreign somehow, a view you might expect from an exotic holiday abroad.

Sheer, layered rock face behind.

Safe swimming. Fantastic.

Hope this is helpful.

Most visitors to Barry Island get no further than the main beach in Whitmore Bay by the railway station, but eagle-eyed visitors will notice a concrete footpath running from the east end of the beach along the cliff top: follow this around and you eventually come to Jackson’s Bay: as Jane Elizabeth says, beware in stormy weather or high tides, as the path descends to the foot of the cliffs to reach the beach.

The bay is backed by cliffs, so feels quite secluded. It’s certainly very different from the fish’n’chips bustle of Whitmore Bay. It’s actually an artificial bay, since the east side is formed by the breakwater at the entrance to Barry Docks. Still, it’s a nice place to walk to, and you can stroll to the breakwater and view the boats in the little marina that’s been built at the Dock entrance and, occasionally, see one of the larger ships enter the Docks themselves.

Just above the bay on the cliff top is a pleasant area laid out as lawns, and adjacent to Friar’s Road - just a few minutes’ walk from the beach - is a rather innocuous clump of trees. This is worth further investigation, as the trees shelter the scant remains of the original chapel dedicated to the Celtic Saint Baruc, after whom Barry is named. It is said his remains were buried in the chapel, although there is no archaeological evidence for this.

This beach is great for families as its not very big and your children wont get lost! There’s public toilets and a shower block at one end but there are no shops nearby - nice to spend a cheap day out when the weather is nice.

Although last time we went there seemed to be hundreds of sand bugs - watch out for these!!!

The smaller of the two lovely beaches on Barry Island and a very pleasant place to visit. The sand is very soft and the water suitable for swimming and paddling. There are great views out across the Bristol Channel too and it’s always interesting to see the ships passing by. You can reach this secluded bay by a footpath which slopes down from Redbrink Crescent (where you can park for free in the street), or on the path which follows the cliffs around Nell’s Point (although at times the incoming tide can cause difficulties and wet feet as I know to my cost!) On the other side of Jackson’s Bay is Barry Harbour and a dock.