Cold Knap beach

What it’s like

A pebbly beach with a duck-and-swan lake next door and remote-controlled boats to watch in summer.

This is a pebble beach rather than a sandy one, so it's less about building castles and more about pottering along the shore and looking out to the water. The lake right behind the beach is the bit that'll actually hold a small child's attention, with ducks and swans to watch and feed. Come in summer and you might catch the remote-controlled boats out on the water too, which is an easy thing to stand and watch for twenty minutes without anyone getting bored.

It's free to get in and there's a free car park just 100 metres away at Knap Car Terrace. Local buses run there as well if you'd rather not drive. There are toilets on site and it's listed as wheelchair accessible, which matters on a pebble beach where pushing a buggy can otherwise be hard going.

It suits a wander more than a long stay, somewhere to break up a day rather than build a whole one around. Bring a coat regardless of the forecast; a British beach in Barry doesn't care what season it is.

Facilities

Need to know

Parking

Free car park at Knap Car Terrace, 100m away

Getting there by bus or train

Local bus services available

• It's pebbles, not sand, so trainers or wellies work better than bare feet
• The lake with the ducks and swans is right next to the beach, worth the short walk over
• Remote-controlled boats are a summer thing on the lake, not year round
• Local buses run there if you don't want to drive

Plan your visit

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