Barry War Museum and Heritage Centre
Free volunteer-run museum in Barry Island's historic station on wartime Barry, with a First World War trench and a Second World War Anderson shelter.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Barry War Museum and Heritage Centre grew out of the Barry at War History Group, a group of volunteers who set out to research, preserve and promote the wartime history of Barry and the surrounding area. Its website says the museum has run for about 13 years without public subsidy, entirely powered by volunteers, and it is now registered as a community interest company.
The museum is housed in the historic Barry Island railway station on Station Approach Road, described as the last surviving public building of the Barry Railway. That railway built the world's first integrated rail and dock system, and in 1913 Barry became the world's largest coal port.
The displays are mainly about the two world wars and include a First World War trench that recreates life on the Western Front, a genuine Second World War Anderson shelter and a 1940s-style kitchen. Further themes are the experience of evacuees, the Bevin Boys who were conscripted to work in the coal mines, and a collection of short films on Barry's wartime past. The centre also covers wider heritage topics from Roman settlement and St Baruc to the docks and railways, runs a Human Library project, and holds free evening talks by historians. School groups and community groups are welcome.
Highlights
- First World War trench recreating life on the Western Front
- Genuine Second World War Anderson shelter
- 1940s-style kitchen and evacuee displays
- Section on the Bevin Boys conscripted into the mines
- Free entry, housed in the historic Barry Island station
Permanent exhibition
- Barry in the world wars – Displays with a First World War trench, a Second World War Anderson shelter, a 1940s kitchen, evacuee stories, the Bevin Boys and a collection of short films.
- Operated by
- Barry War Museum and Heritage Centre CIC
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
Entry has been free, with donations welcome. Evening talks have also been free.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
The museum is inside the historic Barry Island railway station (Barry Tourist Railway site) on Station Approach Road, Barry Island.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | School trips, community groups and guided tours can be arranged by email. Evening talks by historians have been held at the museum. |
