Accessible holidays ideas in South Wales

In AD75, Roman settlers built the mighty fortress of Isca in present-day Caerleon. One of only three permanent fortresses in Roman Britain, it defended the furthest outpost of their empire for two centuries. Caerleon Roman Fortress and Baths, an accessible, multi-sensory heritage site, near the National Roman Legion Museum, focuses on the favourite Roman pastime of communal bathing.

Chepstow is the starting point of the Wye Valley Walk, a beautiful 136-mile trail which follows the course of the River Wye across South and Mid Wales. You can explore the town, the riverside and Chepstow Castle via a choice of two circular routes which follow well-surfaced paths, suitable for pushchairs.

Adorned with towers and crenellations, this 19th century stately home was built for wealthy ironworks owner William Crawshay. Now a museum, Cyfarthfa Castle's collection includes Laura Ashley dresses, the first steam whistle and a fine collection of porcelain. There’s wheelchair access via a side doorway.

Dyffryn House is surrounded by what are considered the finest Edwardian gardens in Wales. They were created by Reginald Cory, a globe-trotting plant collector, and Thomas Mawson, a celebrated landscape architect. Awash with colour, they’re perennially popular with visitors. Most parts are accessible by wheelchair, which are available to hire if booked in advance.

A wealth of Roman artefacts from Isca and Burrium are on display at the fabulous National Roman Legion Museum, which is fully accessible to wheelchairs and pushchairs. A collection of handling objects for the visually impaired is available on request. Among the highlights are some beautifully carved gemstones, discovered at the well-preserved Roman baths, less than 150m away.

The modern Best Western Heronston Hotel is a few minutes’ drive from the Glamorgan Heritage Coast. There’s step-free access to the reception, which has a mobile loop system for the hard of hearing. The reception staff are trained to assist guests with disabilities. One bedroom is fully wheelchair-accessible, with an adapted en-suite bathroom.

Family-run, Happy Jakes is a disability-friendly camping and caravan park named after the owners’ son, who was born with Trisomy 21 (Down’s Syndrome). Committed to making the park accessible to all, they have built a wheelchair-friendly shower block and created a 60-metre sensory nature walk for the blind and partially sighted.

Adapted with the needs of disabled guests in mind, Homefield is a self-catering holiday home with three bedrooms, one with an en-suite wet room and an adjustable bed with a removable electric hoist. Other equipment is available on request. Well-designed paths allow wheelchair-users to enjoy the garden, and dogs are welcome.

In the picturesque surroundings of the Vale of Glamorgan, Parc Coed Machen's five holiday cottages, four with two bedrooms and one with three, are around seven miles from the centre of Cardiff and well-placed for visiting St Fagans National History Museum. Two of the cottages have adaptations for the elderly or those with limited mobility. 

Open Britain: The UK's biggest directory of accessible accommodation and travel

Accessible Countryside For Everyone: A brilliant resource for finding out more information on accessible places in the UK

Information Now: An article with links to find the nearest public toilets, including disabled toilets and those that are part of the RADAR/National Key Scheme

Tourism For All: Information for disabled rail passengers travelling to Wales

You can always search our website to find accessible accommodation, activities, attractions and events in Wales.