Barry Island, Whitmore Bay 1899
Photo ref: 43443
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Photo ref: 43443
Photo of Barry Island, Whitmore Bay 1899

More about this scene

This shows a quiet day at Barry beach, with the only sign of life a rowing boat with its landing ramp. Nells Point is in the background, with construction of the Submarine Miners Garrison HQ under way. The old coastguard building stands out further down the point and gave panoramic views of the Channel both up and down, which was essential before the advent of radio.

A Selection of Memories from Barry Island

For many years now, we've been inviting visitors to our website to add their own memories to share their experiences of life as it was, prompted by the photographs in our archive. Here are some from Barry Island

Sparked a Memory for you?

If this has sparked a memory, why not share it here?

I remember the Donkeys in Barry Island very well some times i used to go for a ride on a donkey on the beach at Barry. That was many years a go when i was young we used to go to Barry Island quite often on day or afternoon trips as we lived in the Rhondda Valley. Not far from the coast. Also to Porthcawl and sometimes to Aberavon.
Is there anyone reading this with memories of Barry Island in 1955? I am writing a book and two of my characters stay in a holiday cottage late summer of that year. Where can you suggest would be an area at that time that had holiday homes. You may even know a street name or two. What was the name of the nearest pub to the holiday home. What visitor attractions and what else would our holiday couple ...see more
On a bank holiday my mother would take us to Barry on the train. We would spend lots of time in the beach then go on the shows, we'd have a great time. My dream was to go in to Butlins, I'd see the kids playing in the outdoor pool, I wish I could have gone in there. When I got older and had kids of my own I took them there, what a wonderrful time I had, I only wish it was still open, I'd take my grandkids there. My ...see more
Redbrink Crescent, Barry Island was where Emma Ellen Mitchell and her husband James John Mitchell lived, these house were built by James Michell's father, the mariner John Maerdin Mitchell. My dad was born at no 36 in 01 July 1920, while my grandfather Sydney worked the local shipbuilders. Grandma was a Mitchell, Alice Lousia. They moved to Bristol- Bedminster, circa 1925. My G'Grd Dad Mitchell was the light house keeper for 32 years.