This post features Expedia and Hotels.com.
Oh my days this weather is glorious! We waited patiently and it has arrived in spectacular style. The sun is shining, the temperature is rising and we’re all wearing sunglasses and eating ice creams! Summer is finally here people of Britain so we may as well make the most of it and spend more time outside enjoying our gorgeous little island.
The last time the sun came out; I jumped in the car and headed across to Barry Island. I’m based in Gloucester and Barry beach is a short drive through the gorgeous British countryside. As an avid Gavin and Stacey fan, I went to see the Gavin and Stacey TV locations such as Marco’s cafe and the Barry seafront that features in the final scenes. I also went out of curiosity to see if it has more to offer than the stereotypical tacky seafront.
I wasn’t disappointed by what I found. I was initially met with an old fashioned British seaside scene and an array of souvenir shops that offered Gavin and Stacey tea towels, overpriced snacks and good old sticks of British rock. I liked this greeting; it felt nostalgic and as it should be.
It took a matter of minutes to find the infamous Marco’s cafe and it felt surreal buying my ice cream from there. The wall where Gavin, Stacey, Nessa and Smithy sit in the final scene of Gavin and Stacey was the busiest part of Barry Island beach; heaving with tourists enjoying the rare appearance of British sunshine.
My boyfriend and I left the crowds and walked across a grass hilled area which gave incredible views of the busy Barry Island beachfront and surrounding area. We continued from here to a secluded beach which had a quicksand effect but was beautifully serene and quiet. The hidden Barry Island beach was near to a stunning lake and garden feature.
Secluded Barry beach
When our stomachs started rumbling we jumped back in the car and went down the road to Cardiff Bay; one of my favourite places in the world. Cardiff Bay’s restaurants and bars are amazing, there are so many to choose from and the atmosphere is always buzzing. We opted for Eddie’s Diner; a 50s themed diner that serves the best retro milkshakes and fries in red and white paper.
If you fancy your own Barry Island weekend then Expedia have plenty of cheap Barry Island hotels. Hotels.com have a selection of cheap Cardiff hotels if you want to base yourself there. St. David’s Hotel & Spa is luxurious and conveniently located on Cardiff Bay overlooking the gorgeous bay itself. If you’re booking with Hotels.com before 29/07/2012 use the Hotels.com discount code JULMVC10 and you’ll get 10% off your booking.
To see Barry Island in pictures, join us on Facebook and check out the Barry Island photo album.
