Barry, the Welsh seaside town at the heart of the series, has become a pilgrimage site for fans (Image: Portia Jones)
Popular TV smash Gavin and Stacey is returning to screens for the series’ final episode. The cast has recently wrapped up filming streets of Wales recording for the highly anticipated Christmas special.
With a TikTok clip showing behind-the-scenes footage of the filming going viral (over 2.4 million views and counting!), it’s no surprise fans are buzzing. After all, who doesn’t want to spend Christmas catching up with Nessa, Smithy, Gavin, and Stacey? And hopefully, getting an answer to the series’ biggest mystery. What exactly happened on THAT fishing trip?
Barry, the Welsh seaside town at the heart of the series, has become a pilgrimage site for fans since it first hit our screens back in 2007.
It’s where many of the most memorable scenes were shot, like those classic moments outside Stacey’s house or the retro amusement park where the characters bonded over chips and banter. The show’s popularity has spurred countless visitors to follow in their footsteps, exploring the spots immortalised on screen.
Gavin And Stacey Filming In Barry, Wales (Image: Getty)
Why Barry Should Be on Your Radar
Barry in the Vale of Glamorgan is more than a Gavin & Stacey fan’s dream.
Located on the southern coast of Wales, just a stone’s throw from Cardiff, this Welsh seaside town is the perfect blend of nostalgia and coastal charm.
With its golden beaches, arcades, and quirky shops, it feels like stepping into a classic British seaside holiday with a bucket-and-spade beach, fish and chips and a whimsical pleasure park.
Barry Island Beach, which fans will recognise as the backdrop for many of the show’s scenes, is a hub of activity. Whether you want to relax with an ice cream in hand or dive into traditional amusements like dodgems and crazy golf, spending hours here is easy. And, if you’re lucky, you might even spot something special—like an impromptu “What’s occurring?” from a fellow fan.
Barry Island beach (Image: Getty)
Explore Gavin & Stacey Locations
For those in the know, one of the most iconic filming spots is Marco’s Café. Fans of the show will remember it well—after all, it’s where Stacey works. Pop in for a cuppa and a slice of cake, and you’ll feel like you’re waiting for Gav to swing by any minute.
Stacey and Gwen’s house is just down the road, a must-see for anyone wanting to capture that perfect fan photo.
If you want to go all out, Gavin & Stacey tours take you through every filming location, sprinkling in plenty of behind-the-scenes stories along the way.
If you want a self-guided stroll around Barry (why not? It’s “lush”), here are a few of the most famous spots from the beloved series that I recommend as a South Wales resident and huge fan!
Fans of the BBC’s Gavin and Stacey series can visit Barry Islands filming locations (Image: Getty)
Nessa’s Slots, Barry Island
The iconic character Nessa is famous for working many jobs, and one of them is on slot machines on the ‘Island’. Fans can visit Nessa’s Slots, which is located on Barry Island.
The arcade now sells Gavin and Stacey merchandise and gifts, so fans can visit and shop at the same time. The arcade can be found on the Western Promenade of Barry Island.
Marco’s Cafe, Barry Island
Marco’s Cafe can be found on the seafront on Barry Island. Since featuring on Gavin and Stacey, it has massively grown in popularity and is now a famous tourist attraction.
It was featured in the first-ever episode of Gavin and Stacey, and fans will also know that Stacey worked in the Cafe in season three.
The Welsh Italian family-owned Cafe is a thriving local business, with many tourists and fans of the programme flocking to take selfies, feast on bacon baps, and enjoy proper cups of tea.
The Colcot Arms, Barry
If you’re on a Gavin and Stacey self-guided tour and fancy a cosy pub, then The Colcot Arms in Barry is a popular spot for fans. You may recognise the pub from the pub quiz scene in Gavin and Stacey, where the popular character Smithy gets very drunk!
The pub is loved for its great food and drink, so it’s a popular spot for fans to stop for a bite.
Trinity Street, Barry Island
Trinity Street is a row of terraced houses and is well known for being the location of ‘Gwen and Stacey’s house’. Up the road is Uncle Bryn’s house, where The boys arrive in Barry for a ‘lad’s weekend’ and crash at Bryn’s.
TikTok fans have posted videos showing the Gavin and Stacey cast filming on Trinity Street, and one piece of footage, in particular, has already racked up over 400,000 views.
With the cast spotted there, Trinity Street will likely appear in the upcoming Christmas episode.
St Cattwg’s Church, Llanmaes
Fans will be familiar with the church where Gavin and Stacey married. The church is St Cattwg’s, located in Llanmaes, Wales.
The historic building dates back to the 13th century and has risen in popularity due to the popular TV series…maybe we can expect to see it again on TV screens this Christmas Day if Ness and Smithy choose to finally tie the knot.
Marco’s Cafe can be found on the seafront on Barry Island (Image: VOG Tourism Image bank)
What Else Barry Has to Offer
As James Corden and the rest of the cast bid farewell to this ‘incredibly special place’, I’ve put together some of my favourite experiences in Barry and the Vale, highlighting why it is Wales’ most exciting staycation destination – beyond being the famous backdrop for the hit BBC comedy.
The beautiful Porthkerry Country Park offers 220 acres of woodlands, meadows, and captivating cliff walks.
It’s a serene escape from the lively seafront, ideal to stretch your legs and enjoy Wales’ natural beauty.
And for history buffs, Barry’s heritage is rich. Once a busy coal-exporting port, the town’s maritime history can be explored at the Barry Island Railway Station and Waterfront.
Combine that with a visit to the local shops, restaurants, and pubs, and you’ve got the makings of a well-rounded Welsh adventure.
Here are some of the best things to do around Barry and the Vale.
Sandy beaches
No visit to Barry would be complete without experiencing its beaches. Whitmore Bay is the main beach, perfect for families, with its wide stretch of golden sands, sheltered location, and plenty of amenities right on the shoreline – perfect for a classic British seaside day out.
If you love SUP adventures, head to nearby Jackson’s Bay and join a paddle board session with Island SUP. You can paddle around this sheltered bay with the pros and even take a bracing dip in the well-managed coastal stretch. Just be careful of the tides here!
Overlooking this sandy beach, you’ll also find Môr a Sawna, a new and unique wood-fired sauna offering panoramic views of the harbour, lighthouse, and coastline. Heated up to a toasty 80-100°C, the barrel sauna provides an extraordinary way to unwind after a day of exploration.
Barry beach (Image: Getty)
Barry Island Pleasure Park
Barry Island Pleasure Park has been a beloved attraction for over a century, providing traditional seaside fun since its establishment in the early 20th century.
It quickly became a cultural icon for Welsh tourism, drawing visitors from across the country for its thrilling rides, amusement arcades, and lively atmosphere. Its long history is steeped in the golden age of British seaside resorts, where families flocked to the coast for day trips and holidays.
The Pleasure Park gained further fame through Gavin & Stacey, where it served as a key filming location.
Today, Barry Island Pleasure Park remains a retro seaside destination with classic fairground rides and arcades. The park also hosts various events throughout the year, keeping it an ever-relevant part of Barry’s cultural fabric.
Feast on street food at Goodsheds
Goodsheds, located in the centre of Barry, is the UK’s first urban high street, created from a stylish mix of shipping containers and railway carriages.
This off-beat space has independent shops, top-notch food and drink spots, and lifestyle outlets that draw hungry locals and visitors.
It’s perfect for a fun evening with friends or a casual date—everyone can grab a dish from different vendors and sit together at communal tables. One of the standout new arrivals is Cobbles, known for its massive ‘doorstop’ sandwiches.
Their popularity has soared so much that they’re expanding to a second location in South Wales, still serving those fresh, locally sourced sandwiches everyone raves about.
In the Sidings section, you’ll find Craft Republic, a go-to for craft beer lovers. Their selection of beers, wines, and cocktails is impressive, but what turns heads is their own Barry Island Spirits. The gin and rum here have picked up awards, and the Barry Island Gin was even named Gin of the Month at Heston Blumenthal’s Michelin-starred restaurant.
Goodstay Lodges offers a quirky place to crash if you want to stay longer. These boutique lodges are housed in former Gatwick Express carriages, sitting on real railway tracks, and they stay true to Goodsheds’ ethos of repurposing old structures. Stylish, cosy, and perfect for two, they’re the ideal base for exploring everything Barry has to offer.
Barry is an ideal destination for walking (Image: Portia Jones)
Walks around Barry
Barry is an ideal destination for walking, with its proximity to the Wales Coast Path offering scenic seaside trails. One of the highlights is the 4-mile (6 km) walk from Barry to Rhoose Point, the southernmost point in Wales.
The route hugs the coastline, providing spectacular views across the shimmering waters of the Bristol Channel, making it a rewarding walk for nature lovers.
Another great option is the 3.5-mile (5.5 km) circular walk that loops around Porthkerry Country Park, a dreamy haven of meadows and woodlands.
This trail also takes in Knap Gardens, Romilly Park, and the historic remains of Barry Castle. These walks are detailed in Visit The Vale’s Vale Trail number 4, offering a perfect blend of history, scenic beauty, and coastal air.