The BBC sitcom is coming back and what better way to honour the show than by visiting the Isle of Barry… where ‘it doesn’t rain much as it goes’
What’s occurring? One of In4theLongHaul’s favourite BBC shows – Gavin & Stacy – will be gracing our screens again this year, with a one-off Christmas special. We thought that a little blog would mark the occasion nicely, because being the TV geeks that we are, we visited the show’s sites in Barry, Wales via a Brit Movie tour.
FYI… the Elvis convention is a real thing but this happens every September in Porthcawl… not Barry Island.
The tour and guide was amazing, but if you decide to do a DIY tour, the Vale of Glamorgan town is small enough for all the main points, such as Nessa’s arcade, the promenade and the famous Dolphin pub, where tattooed Carl works, are all easily reached by foot. Lush!
Getting to Barry
By train: Travellers to Barry Island exit the station opposite the Barry Island Pleasure Park, a historic amusement park next to Whitmore Bay. The train station links Barry Island with Cardiff Central, Aberdare and Merthyr Tydfil.
The heritage line – Barry Island Tourist Railway between Barry Island and Barry Docks – operates out of the station.
The walk from Barry Island station to the promenade and beach at Whitmore Bay takes about five minutes.
From London, depart from Paddington platform 5 and change at Cardiff Central. Peak trains take under 3hrs and off-peak trains take can take anywhere from just under 4hrs to around 6hrs. This depends on the time of train you catch.
By bus: The 95 Cardiff bus goes from Heath Hospital – Barry Island via Cathays, Cardiff City Centre, Llandough, Dinas Powys, Gibbonsdown, Barry.
You can pay by using contactless, mobile tickets or the iff card.
Gavin & Stacey locations to visit
Gwen and Stacey’s home
47 Trinity Street in Barry was used as the set for the home of Stacey’s mother Gwen in the show. It’s about a 10-15 minute walk from the train station.
Walk north towards Broad St/A4055, turn right onto Broad St/A4055 and then turn left onto Trinity Street.
Doris’ house is 45 Trinity Street and Bryn’s house is 48 Trinity Street.
The Dolphin Pub
Not actually used in the show, The Dolphin does exist and is very near Barry Beach Front. To get to the pub from the promenade, head to Friars Road/A4055.
Barry Promenade and Whitmore Bay, Barry Island Beach
Have a sit down on the sandy beach or swim in the water where Bryn (Welsh for brick you know) popped out looking like Daniel Craig.
It’s about a 20mins walk if coming from the train station. Walk north towards Broad St/A4055 and turn left onto Broad St/A4055. At the roundabout, take the 1st exit onto Harbour Rd/A4055. When at the roundabout, take the first exit onto Paget Rd/A4055 and then walk onto Friars Road.
Nessa’s miming location
Visit Kings Square where Nessa works as a mime artist. From the train station, walk north towards Broad St/A4055, turning right onto Broad St/A4055. At the roundabout, take the third exit onto Broad St/B4294 and then a slight left onto Tynewydd Rd. At the roundabout, take the first exit onto Wyndham St and then turn right. Walking takes around 30mins.
Arcade
The Arcade where Nessa works is the Island Leisure Amusement Arcade, located at Western Shelter, Barry Island. It’s a 5-minute walk from the promenade from Friars Rd/A4055 and turning left onto Paget Rd.
Locations not in Barry
Caravan park
Dave, Nessa and baby Neil’s caravan isn’t in Barry but situated in Sully instead. The Bay Caravan Park is a 15-20 minute car ride from Barry, via the B4267. Head south-east on Island Rd towards Broad St/A4055 and take Ffordd Y Mileniwm, Cardiff Rd/A4055 and B4267 to St Mary’s Well Bay Rd in Sully.
St Peter’s Church
This is where Nessa nearly says ‘I do’ to Dave Coach, where baby Neil’s christening service is held and where Bryn sings and Dorris plays the drums.
St Peter’s Church is situated in Peterston-super-Ely on Ffordd-Y-Eglwys road. It’s around a 20-30 minute car journey from Barry, via the 4226.
Gavin’s house
Not in Barry, nor in Billericay, Essex either but located just outside of Cardiff in 17 Laburnum Way, Dinas Powys. It’s about a 20-minute train journey from Cardiff Central. When you reach Dinas Powys station, walk south-west on Cardiff Rd/A4055 towards Station Rd taking a left onto Cross Common Road. Take a slight left onto Longmeadow Dr and then turn right onto Laburnum Way.
Checking out C & J
In 4 The Long Haul 