Transport options, expert advice, helpful guides and brochures and more. Everything you need to organise your visit to the Vale of Glamorgan.
Plan your stay
taste the vale
Every great day out deserves great food.
You can learn a lot about a place by eating your way around it.
In the Vale of Glamorgan, you’ll find independent cafés, country pubs, restaurants and a growing community of local food and drink producers, from artisan makers to vineyards rooted in the Welsh countryside.
So arrive hungry.
We’ve got a lot to show you.
Coffee first
Start in Penarth, where the town centre, Esplanade and streets around the station are full of tempting places to stop.
Or take your morning slowly in Cowbridge, exploring the High Street, alleyways and arcades between coffee and a little independent shopping.
Heading for the coast? Fuel up before a walk or find somewhere for that essential post-beach coffee.
Every good Vale day needs a first stop.
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Make lunch a destination
A country pub after a coastal walk. A table in Cowbridge. Lunch overlooking the water, a restaurant in the heart of Penarth or street food lovers paradise at the Goodsheds in Barry
In the Vale, eating out is part of the experience.
Our chefs have an abundance of local produce on their doorstep, while independent restaurants and welcoming pubs give you plenty of excuses to extend lunch well into the afternoon.
Clear the diary.
Meet the makers
The Vale isn’t just somewhere to eat and drink. It’s somewhere food and drink is grown, made and cared about.
Discover award-winning vineyards, artisan bakers, craft producers and farms working across the Vale.
Explore the countryside around Cowbridge, seek out local flavours and meet some of the people putting the Vale on the food and drink map.
Discover Vale food and drink producers
Summer tastes better here
Food festivals. Local produce. Sunny pub gardens and cold drinks after a day on the coast.
Summer is a particularly delicious time to explore the Vale.
Look out for seasonal events and food experiences taking place across our towns, coast and countryside and add something tasty to your summer plans.
🏖️ One big summer day for the whole family 🏖️
Sandcastles. Picnics. Playgrounds. Ice cream. Does it get any better?
And, hopefully, some tired children by the end of it.
9am | Beach first
Start at Barry Island.
Find your spot on Whitmore Bay, get the buckets and spades out and make the most of a proper morning beside the sea.
Paddle. Dig. Build. Repeat.
If you need a coffee before the serious sandcastle engineering begins, grab one from the Drive through at Goodsheds, Academy Espresso Bar or one of the cafés overlooking the promenade.
11.30am | Explore the Island
Shake off the sand and see what else Barry Island has to offer.
Try the amusements, play adventure golf or visit the RNLI Experience above Whitmore Bay to climb aboard an inshore lifeboat and learn more about the coast.
Everyone gets to choose one thing.
Fair?
1pm | Seaside lunch
Fish and chips by the sea?
We thought you might say that.
Choose from Barry Island favourites for freshly cooked chips, brand new Morio Lounge for relaxed family dining with sea views, or one of the many cafes that serve excellent food to suit the whole family.
Looking for something a little different? Head into Barry and discover The Goodsheds, home to artisan street food, or book a table at Front Room Pizza, one of the Vale's best-loved spots for authentic wood-fired pizzas made with fresh, seasonal ingredients.
2.30pm | Go wild at Porthkerry
Head to Porthkerry Country Park and give everyone space to run.
Explore woodland and meadow trails, spot the huge Victorian viaduct, find the pebble beach or make straight for the adventure play area.
With 220 acres to explore, there's plenty of room for one more game.
Packed a picnic? This is the perfect place to roll out a blanket beneath the trees. Or, if everyone's ready for another refuel, stop by the Porthkerry Park Café for homemade cakes, sandwiches, children's lunch options and a well-earned coffee while little legs recharge.
Explore Porthkerry Country Park
4.30pm | Ice cream time
It's summer.
Ice cream is practically compulsory.
Head back towards Barry Island and choose your favourite sweet treat.
Stop by Fablas Ice Cream for generous scoops of classic and creative flavours, or visit Zio's Gelateria for authentic Italian-style gelato, indulgent sundaes and refreshing sorbets.
Cones, tubs, waffles or sprinkles... there's no wrong answer.
Yes, sprinkles are definitely allowed.
7pm | Squeeze in one more beach
Take an evening stroll along Whitmore Bay, watch the light change across the Bristol Channel and see who can keep their feet out of the water.
Our money's on nobody.
If there's still room for one last treat, choose one of the many pubs, bars restaurants and cafes before heading back home.
Plan your family day in the Vale
From beach games and seaside treats to woodland adventures, wood-fired pizza, picnics beneath the trees and ice cream by the sea, Barry and Porthkerry are made for unforgettable family days out—full of fresh air, fantastic food and plenty of happy memories.
Find your taste of the Vale
Coffee by the coast. Wine in the countryside. A pub lunch after a long walk.
What are you hungry for?
Taste the Vale
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