Barry Island, a Welsh seaside resort popularized by the BBC comedy "Gavin & Stacey," is home to the United Kingdom's most affordable beach huts, available for a daily rental of £24.
The huts, located at Whitmore Bay, are situated near filming locations featured in the show, including the real-life coffee shop Marco's and amusement parks where characters Stacey and Nessa worked. The beach itself was a backdrop for gatherings of the Shipman and West families in the series.
In 2022, actors Larry Lamb and Alison Steadman, who portrayed Gavin's parents Mick and Pam Shipman, were photographed at the same beach huts amidst rumors of a potential reunion for the show.
Municipal officials at the Vale of Glamorgan Council rent out the brightly colored huts, which overlook Whitmore Bay. The council describes the huts as offering excellent views and serving as a comfortable base for families and groups visiting the area, providing a private space for changing and storing belongings.
These 24 huts are arranged in two blocks on either side of a climbing wall, positioned prominently on the eastern promenade. The council noted that the huts are designed to enhance the visitor experience on the rejuvenated promenade.
A study by Monzo, which analyzed over 1,000 beach hut rentals, found the average daily hire cost from a council to be £56, with weekly rentals averaging £223. Following Barry Island, Swanage Beach's Spa Beach Huts were identified as the next cheapest at £26 per day. Other locations like Bournemouth Beach, Crooklets Promenade, and Lowestoft & Felixstowe also had huts available at £30 per day.