Feel free to delete it if not allowed. I live in porthcawl and I’m a documentary photographer and had permission from the family that owned the fair here to document the final day. I was just scrolling Reddit and this sub and thought it may be of interest to some. I don’t get any cash or advertising etc for people clicking, just thought it might be of interest 🙂

https://karljones.photography/2025/10/19/fairwell-to-coney-beach/

by Sail_Soggy

10 comments

  2. I was working that evening so I couldn’t go but during my break, I was just in time to watch the fireworks. I have many fond memories there so it will be missed. Great photos btw.

  3. The culture flair is perfect. Portcawl (and Barry Island) played a huge part in the history of South Wales. A trip as a kid to Coney Island (or even to the rivals just up the coast towards Cardiff) was always a big treat – Porthcawl was a bit futher away for us, so a bit more exotic – so many good memories of there.

    Sad to hear it has now gone. Thanks for taking the time to capture it.

  4. If anyone is interested I’ve seen a lot of the signage and other memorabilia being sold by Valleys Reclamation 

  5. Sorry, but good riddance… it’s been a pikey dump for years….

  6. great blog post there. It was never really a part of my life growing up, only the occasional visit (growing up in Cardiff Barry Island or Penarth seafront were our regular spots) but reading your words and looking at your photos it’s still a bit emotive.

    I know it’s actually a dog, but there’s a photo of a chap in a yellow raincoat that looks as though he’s popped a leash on his sheep to take it for a walk.

    As an aisde I wonder what route the Porthcawl 10k route will take now that the whole area will be turned into a massive building site, as it used to come through Trecco Bay and the fairground.

  7. Should have gotten paid bet they made a shit load selling that land.

  8. Great photos. Thank you for posting. Sad to see things like this happen as it feels like little pieces of our quaint seaside culture being chipped away. But times change.

  10. Growing up in Bridgend for nearly 40 years, Porthcawl is synonymous with Coney beach, I remember first riding the Waltzers in ’99 and ATB – 9pm was blasting, we would still regularly visit right up until it closed. Maybe it’s bias but I always preferred it to Barry Island.

    I really fear for Porthcawl, that fairground was the main reason for visiting and without it, I doubt we’ll go there anymore.

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