Accessible holidays in North Wales

In Wales, we take pride in ensuring our beautiful scenery, historic monuments and cultural highlights can be enjoyed by everybody. There's so much to see and do, you'll want to stay for a while – and there are plenty of options when it comes to accessible accommodation throughout North Wales.

12 Vaughan Street, Llandudno LL30 1AB

• Building is fully accessible to wheelchair users and those with limited mobility

Oriel MOSTYN Gallery is a contemporary art space that aims to offer new inspiration on every visit, with frequently changing exhibitions of Welsh painting, sculpture, craft and video. Past programmes have included art therapy workshops and learning sessions for those with impaired hearing, sight and mobility. Visit the Oriel MOSTYN Gallery website for full details.

Rhosmeirch, Llangefni, Isle of Anglesey LL77 7TQ

• Building is fully accessible to wheelchair users and those with limited mobility
• Hearing induction loop for hearing-impaired visitors
• Assistance dogs welcome

Oriel Môn is a beautifully designed art and local history complex, with significant collections of works by the Anglesey-born landscape painter Kyffin Williams, wildlife illustrator Charles Tunnicliffe and other eminent Welsh artists. Facilities include an induction loop system and disabled parking, and the galleries and Blas Mwy café are fully wheelchair-accessible. Check the Oriel Môn website for further information.

46 Clwyd Street, Ruthin, Denbighshire LL15 1HP

• Building is fully accessible to wheelchair users and those with limited mobility

A working prison until 1916, Ruthin Gaol provides a sobering insight into the life of an inmate in Victorian times. The historic building has been made fully accessible, with a lift to the upper floors. Wheelchair users are advised to book ahead. Friendly, knowledgeable staff are on hand to offer information and assistance, and there’s special access to exhibits for the visually impaired. See the Ruthin Gaol website to find out more.

Cerrigydrudion, Corwen, Denbighshire LL21 9TT

• Level access to visitor centre, café and toilets

Broad, blue and fringed with forest, Llyn Brenig is a reservoir with a modern visitor centre, waymarked cycling routes, nature trails and water activities. Fly-fishing for trout is the star attraction, with roll-on, roll-off Wheelyboats that wheelchair users can hire: advance booking is recommended. Visit the Llyn Brenig website for full details.

Llanberis, Gwynedd LL55 4TT

• Wheelchair accessible carriages
• Wheelchair available for use at Llanberis and Summit stations
• Assistance dogs welcome

The Snowdon Mountain Railway snakes all the way from Llanberis up to Hafod Eryri, the Summit Visitor Centre just yards from Wales’ highest peak. The trains, pushed by diesel or vintage steam locomotives, have wheelchair-accessible carriages from which to take in the amazing scenery. Advance booking is essential to ensure that assistance is on hand. Check the Snowdon Mountain Railway access statement for further information.

Llandudno Junction, Conwy LL31 9XZ

• Visitor centre is fully accessible to wheelchair users and those with limited mobility
• Assistance dogs welcome
• Personal assistants are admitted free of charge
• Selection of trails and pathways with level surfaces

Discover ducks, lapwings and other bird life at the RSPB Conwy Nature Reserve, overlooking the estuary and castle. The visitor centre, play area and trails are wheelchair-accessible, as are the viewing points and hides, which have screens and slots at various heights. Registered assistance dogs are permitted, free wheelchair hire is available and personal assistants are admitted free of charge. Go to the RSPB Conwy Nature Reserve website to find out more.

Dolgefeiliau, Dolgellau LL40 2HZ

• Visitor centre is fully accessible to wheelchair users and those with limited mobility
• Cycle trails suitable for adaptive bikes
• Two walking trails suitable for off-road mobility scooters
• Wheelchairs and off-road mobility scooters available for hire (advance booking essential)
• Accessible picnic areas

The UK's first purpose-built mountain-bike centre, Coed y Brenin offers plenty of opportunities for accessible woodland adventures. There's a selection of disabled-friendly features like accessible picnic and play areas, disabled access parking and and accessible walking trail with tactile sculptures. There's also the MinorTaur bike trail, where three of its four loops are designed for disabled riders using adaptive bikes. For full details, go to the Coed y Brenin website.

Newborough Warren, Niwbwrch, Anglesey, North Wales

• Two cycle trails suitable for adaptive bikes
• Free accessible parking for blue badge holders
• Accessible toilets (Beach car park)
• Accessible trail from Llyn Parc Mawr car park

The forest and dunes at Newborough National Nature Reserve and Forest leading down to Ynys Llanddwyn on the Anglesey coastline are truly something special. Following the various trails, you can spot red squirrels, rare plants and wildfowl among the different habitats within the reserve. 

• Walking routes suitable for wheelchair users and those with limited mobility

Several parts of the Wales Coast Path in North Wales have hard surfaces suitable for wheelchairs. There’s a great route along the River Dee between Connah’s Quay Dock, southeast of Flint, and Chester. The family-friendly stretch between Prestatyn and Conwy is almost entirely seaside promenade. For more ideas, check out the selection of easy access walks on the Wales Coast Path website.

Raikes Lane, Mold CH7 1YA

• Building accessible to wheelchair users and those with limited mobility
• Induction loop hearing system and captioned performances for hearing impaired
• Audio description and pre-show touch tours for visually impaired visitors
• Relaxed shows for those with autism, dementia, learning disabilities and sensory and communication disorders

Theatr Clwyd is a much-loved cultural hub, offering a year-round programme of theatre, cinema, music, dance and comedy. All floors are wheelchair accessible, and there’s an induction loop system in each auditorium. Some performances and screenings are subtitled, captioned or audio described, and there’s a programme of relaxed shows to cater for adults and children with autism, dementia or communication difficulties. For full details go to the Theatre Clwyd website.

Mold Road, Gwersyllt, Wrexham LL11 4AG

• Selection of adaptive bikes suitable for users with a range of physical impairments

Pedal Power is dedicated to making cycling accessible to everyone. The charity hires out a variety of bicycles – including trikes, hand-cycles, wheelchair bikes and side-by-side bikes – at Alyn Waters, Wrexham’s largest country park. There’s a training area, a mile-long circuit to cruise around, and a wheelchair-friendly sculpture trail.

Caernarfon, Gwynedd, LL55 2AY

• Currently undergoing a major project to become fully accessible for wheelchair users and those with limited mobility
• Free entry for wheelchair users and personal assistants

The mighty medieval fortress of Caernarfon Castle has dominated the town for centuries. It’s a challenge to make a medieval fortress accessible to people with impaired mobility. However, a £4million project, including a new lift, promises to open up more of the World Heritage Site to disabled visitors than ever before. Until the works are complete, access is via a set of steps: calling ahead for assistance on 01286 677617 is essential. Entry is free for wheelchair users and personal assistants. Visit the Caernarfon Castle website for up to date information.

Penrhyn Castle, Bangor LL57 4HN

• Wheelchair access to ground and first floor
• Large parts of grounds accessible to wheelchair users

Penrhyn Castle is a swaggering mock-Norman castle and railway museum. There are stairs, steps, slopes and cobbles to negotiate but many areas of the house and grounds are wheelchair accessible. There’s ramped access to the ground floor of the main house and, in the stable block, a lift to the first-floor galleries and museums. Find out more at the Penrhyn Castle website.