written by Phil84.. on 29/08/2023
Visited for the first time today with my family it was the worst time I have ever had my kids went for the bumper cars they must have been sat in the car for 10 mins because the staff would not start until all the cars were full and when it finally started it lasted 2mins IF THAT cost me £9 for that they then did the trampoline lasted 5 which is a bit better but the other kids on there must have be related to the operator as they had no limit as other pay customer were told there time was there's just went on an on and if u buy tokens at the top they don't accept them on the front so u have to buy a whole new set bottom line is u like to be ripped off go here u will love it
written by rockingrobbo on 28/06/2014
I remember visiting barry island as a youngster(some 35 years ago).Having taking my 3 young children to try it out now,I need a holiday to get over the experience! First off,spent 5 minutes paying to park via a phone call system.After being told "thank you your payment has been accepted)we left to go to the front etc.When we sat down an hour or so later,i checked my phone for texts emails etc.I had a text saying reply to this text to confirm your parking ticket! Never heard the text originally as 3 excited kids etc having just drove for 2 1/2 hours all a bit stressful! so,mrs went to put a ticket on car on theres a £25 if paid within 14 days otherwise £50 parking ticket! day ruined! Complained and disputed the ticket but tolds they have no log of my number calling! I have but no printer to print off the proof and tmobile dont send paper bills but I caqn request a copy if i pay for it. This was meant to be a fun day out. As for Barry island. The fair looks like the remains of a war blitz,half of it shut,the rides open have the staff begging you to come on board.Try getting food dinner time. Ha the que was a mile long so we gave up and went home,stopping for food en route,stressed and out of pocket.I could go on,but if you value your money and sanity,please avoid at all costs,if only we had!
written by on 12/08/2012
I live not far from Barry, been going there for years. Beach and surrounding areas great but amusement park changed a lot. Went there this week and was horrified. Bought tickets for rides, whilst stood by Matterhorn, big argument broke out between ride operators and visitors. Several operators left rides......saw bolts from the Matterhorn in visitors hands. To top that off my daughter on Walters and the bar flung up so she wasn't even protected. Plus operators all smoking whilst kids get on rides. Not all operators check bars are down properly. Never again. Love Barry but fairground needs shutting asap
written by on 10/07/2012
went there Yestaday. the fair was shut but i could see in it. I cant remember but i thought i saw the Rhythm Dancer ride there but the log flume, jungle ride, haunted mine, evolution is COMPLETELY closed there was a cottage, Matterhorn, jumping frogs, pony ride, and loads more. new rides are a simulator, inflatable play area, train ride, jet ride, bungees. the phantom chaser was not there neither was the family coaster, terminator, speed, mini paratrooper, Mini Coaster that other jet ride that was in front of the waltzer in 2011. the tip top ride was there instead of high roller(i love high roller i hate the look of this thing though) trampolines there as well and the fair IS going to get pulled down next year
written by on 03/05/2012
barry island is my families local beach and we always go there every year and i dont know how anyone can say anything negitive about it.
written by on 08/08/2011
Just thought i save you peeps some time and money, whatever you do, do not go to Barry Island. My girlfriend and i love going to classic british seaside destinations, even the grotty ones usually have charm. All but Barry Island, the pleasure park as its called has only a couple of rides that work and the rest is a health and safety nightmare, the broken down rides are still accessible, and really run down and dangerous. The fact that they still have pictures of the log flume on the Barry Iskand website when it is in fact closed with most of the other rides is ridiculous, I spoke to a shop keeper there who said that he hears the same thing from the tourists everyday. We when we there there were quite a few spanish tourists around, and all i could think of is that hoped this was not the first place they had been in the U.K, as im sure they would be going straight back home if it was. The council of Barry Island needs to get its act together. Its the worst place i have ever been. Do Not Go!
written by corywells on 21/01/2011
Me, my wife amd my two teenagers came to Barry Island to see what it was like, it was stunning, the view, the shops, the ride and the beach is out of this world. Me and my wife were sat there happily all day while our children were looking round, i was very suprised how much the lifeguards look after the childen. I would suggest this to anyone. Barry island is amazing. Barry is the most beautiful place in the world. I go there all the time now, its very good fun:).
written by on 27/08/2010
Theme park has a big fair ground company runing it now. Saw on wales news before easter that it was going to be run by them. We go every yr, can see the differents.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/8599316.stm
The old Butlins should of never gone. If porthcawl can do it, Barry Island could of.
friendly Bikers yrs ago use to the Island as a meeting place, park in a area and look around each other's bikes. Go for walk around and and spend some money. Now tho There not allowed/ moved on. When i was a kid us kids luved looking around the bikes. Bikers were that friendly they let u sit on there bikes and so on.
Hard to belive Local council/police are turning people away. when they need it. Over the yrs they have not been allowed there, they have moved to a place called abergavenny where they get 1000's of bikes there. What a lose of income for the Island.
Hope Barry Islad can turn it all around.
They could alway get in polish to run it.
written by on 16/08/2010
The beach in Barry is splendid THe shops are all stocking the same gear, the cages are extremely expensive. Plenty of them though. Amusement arcades are lots of also, some have bowling etc and are larger than most arcades some have like a thing where u win tickets and get prizes, this way u can win your souvenirs rather than buy them fun too. The pleasure park is in a dire situation it needies pulling down, it's shabby and all rusty rides. Although some are tidy ish, the prices on the pleasure park are not too bad, rides from 50p. There are some more rides on what appears to be a traveling fair on the sea front, but the rides are all over 2 quid a go. Avoid these if you have a few kids as it would be mortgage time lol,.
Barry needs a butlins like years ago. Spend a full day there then. It's still well worth a trip however. Places we liked were, beach , cafe continental, beach comber shop, burger bar, fun harbour, smuggler coves, Marios cafe.
written by on 27/06/2010
I really enjoyed our day out to Barry. It has a lovely beach and a safe and layed back feeling. There are plenty of families and the council have tried to keep it safe for people and families. We had a cheap and cheerful meal of fish and chips and througly enjoyed it! We had a stroll around the shops, although we bought nothing, we didn't go there for shopping. Admittedly, the theme park was run down, but why would someone want to go to a theme park when there is a lovely beach a stone through away (that would be like visiting Parisian restaurant and ordering a cheeseburger!)! I will definately be going back to Barry!
written by on 04/08/2009
Barry Island Pleasure Park was rubbish the rides were closed and now thay are sying that thay are going to close at the end of the term i think thay should keep it open and just get some better rides nd clean the place up but that tacks money
written by on 01/08/2009
Visiting barry island today after 30 years with my husband and taking my grandchildren To share memories of our happy times spent on the island when we were younger. What a dissapointment to find everything so run down and neglected, in fact I would go as far as to say disgraceful.Couldn't find a decent cafe or restaurant, after a very poor meal we headed for the pleasure park but what a shock we had to see everything in such an appauling state of repair.
Whatever must people think coming from other parts of the country to see the home of Gavin and Stacey, it makes me feel ashamed to be Welsh.
written by mattcook1994 on 07/06/2009
it was great to go back to Barry Island after so long but what heartbroke me was the fact that alot of rides have been taken out but non the less we enjoyed it especially my little sister and all the little kiddies seemed to enjoy themselves. safety is great a kid went missing while i was there and the staff found him very quickly and also my sister hurt herself so the park staff sorted it out very quickly which was great!
have a great time!
written by mattcook on 06/06/2009
alot of peole are saying how bad Barry Island Pleasure Park is i don't belive them it was great i got there early so it wasnt too busy the beach and promenade were in great condition although there werent as many rides as i remember but it was great!
i thought it was good but i also respect other peoples thoughts and opinions.
written by on 06/06/2009
I lived in Barry for 15 years and my daughter still lives there with her children, when the founder was alive he wanted to spend millions of pounds on the pleasure park but as usual the Vale council wouldn't allow it, much to the disgust of the local people. The local people have worked hard to try and keep their buisnesses going but they can only do so much with little income. You would think with the great success and free advertisement of 'Gavin And Stacy' the Vale Of Glamorgan would clean their act up and rescue such a gold mine.
written by on 14/04/2009
My partner and I visited Barry Island Pleasure Park over the easter weekend. Both of us have great childhood memories of the place. We were shocked as to how much of an absolute dump it has become. Dilapidated boarded up buildings and the (dis)pleasure beach was a mess. Gutted.
written by solikedaria on 29/08/2008
Very shabby and disappointing. I expect the people of Barry are ashamed to put their name to such an appalling attraction. There is no 'pleasure' about it at all. I will not be going again unless I hear it has had a £1 million overhaul. What is really galling is the Barry Island Pleasure Park website which says how great the park is. Please believe me - I'm sorry to have to say this but it really is a dump!
written by DAVIESM on 04/08/2008
Not happy at all with this place. Going back 15-20 years, my parents and I would have wonderful times in this place. Butlins was booming and the whole place had a holiday atmosphere. Not so now. The place is decaying. Unfortunately new housing estates exist over the old butlins and I really cannot see this place as having a future anymore. My random claw mate and I were very disappointed with this place and feel sad that the whole place has deteriorated so rapidly. What a shame indeed.
written by theclawlover on 04/08/2008
The claw machines were rubbish! None of them were prize every time, not like the claw in penllgaer services.
I think keeping Barry Island open is an embarresment to Wales. Either sort it out or close it down !!!
written by on 02/08/2008
It would be better if there were more rides as Barry Island Pleasure Park ask for so much money to ride the rides, and there are hardly any. Not much variety if you ask me.
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As rated by our community of reviewers
Guest's Response to corywells's Review
Written on: 15/07/2011
so barry is good so if i was to go what would you recommend