Accessible guide to North Wales
With epic scenery guaranteed, north Wales has plenty of inclusive attractions that will have you reaching mountain peaks and racing through off-road trails on inclusive cycling routes. With accessible beach wheelchairs, country hikes, castles, shopping, accessible accommodation and more, your north Wales adventure starts here.
Accessible travel to and around north Wales
Liverpool John Lennon Airport, Manchester Airport and Birmingham Airport are all close to the England-Wales border. Each welcomes international flights and is handy for getting to north and mid Wales.
Cardiff Airport in south Wales welcomes flights from Europe and other parts of the UK. There is additional assistance in the airport that can be booked in advance.
Direct trains run from Manchester and Birmingham to north Wales with Transport for Wales. From Cardiff, Transport for Wales and Avanti West Coast trains connect to and around north Wales as part of the public transport network in north Wales. All services offer passenger assist, which provides support when navigating railway stations, boarding and disembarking trains, and other requests.
For international visitors arriving in London, it’s quick and easy to travel to Wales by train with Avanti West Coast and Transport for Wales.
With trains, buses, coaches and more, travelling around Wales is easy and accessible. Transport for Wales has information on station and journey accessibility, plus, you can book passenger assist up to two hours before you travel.
While Transport for Wales and Avanti West Coast trains cover most of the major stations in the north, there’s the option to travel via a heritage railway. With some spaces for wheelchairs and assistance dogs welcome, take in the ambiance as you whiz along one of the world’s oldest narrow-gauge railways, including the 26 mile journey from Porthmadog to Caernarfon that cuts through the Snowdonia (Eryri) National Park on the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railway.
The main public long distance bus service in Wales is TrawsCymru, which has low floor accessible buses running through the north of Wales and all other Welsh regions.
The north of Wales has seasonal bus routes that go deeper into the local scenery. Get up close to the foot of Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa) on board the Sherpa’r Wyddfa, which operates low floor buses with spaces for wheelchair users. Arriva also runs a public bus service across north Wales which aims to be accessible and inclusive to all.
For coach travel, National Express Accessible Transport and Megabus both have accessible services across the region.
Accessible things to do in north Wales
Discover our pick of accessible things to do in north Wales.
Adventure and sport
Coed y Brenin Visitor Centre is the UK’s first purpose-built mountain-bike centre and it’s packed with opportunities for accessible adventures. Check out the many accessible walking trails, complete with tactile sculptures. If you’re after pedal-pumping fun, then this is the place. There are several trails for users of adaptive equipment. The MinorTaur bike trail takes you through woodlands, up, over and down the natural terrain, with three of its four loops suited for inclusive off-road cycling. There’s an accessible visitor centre, accessible picnic tables, an accessible children’s play area, accessible parking and toilets, direction signs with braille, off-road mobility scooters available to hire and more.
Enjoy the paved pathways that cut through the lush green surroundings of the Alyn Waters Country Park in Wrexham, the perfect location for everyone to enjoy cycling in a safe environment. Run by the charity Cycling 4 All, Pedal Power offers standard and specialist bikes, including trikes, hand-cycles, wheelchair bikes and side-by-side bikes, so that all ages and abilities can set off for a day in the saddle.
Outdoors and nature
Take in the sublime surroundings and experience a breath of fresh air on the Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa) Mountain Railway. Snaking up from Llanberis up to Hafod Eryri, with the Summit Visitor Centre just yards from Wales’ highest peak, the diesel locomotives have wheelchair-accessible carriages where you can take in epic peaks, rivers and more. Advance booking is essential, assistance dogs are welcome and there are accessible toilets at the visitor centre. See the full Access Statement for details.
The forest and dunes at the Newborough National Nature Reserve and Forest, which lead down to Ynys Llanddwyn on the Anglesey coastline, are packed with scenery and wildlife. Follow accessible trails, spot red squirrels, and see rare plants and wildlife. For something a little more fast-paced, check out its adaptive cycle trail, the Bikequest Nature Challenge. There are accessible toilets and parking spaces.
Discover the fascinating creatures that live in the seas around Great Britain at the Anglesey Sea Zoo. All visitors are encouraged to get involved at the centre. With Autism Aware training, staff are on hand to help with any access requirements. The centre is accessible throughout, with the only steps inside the aquarium to view the pier tank from above — it can also be seen from below. Assistance dogs are welcome throughout.
The Wales Coast Path snakes its way down the north border of Wales to Chepstow in the south taking in some epic views on the way. While it’s not completely accessible from start to finish, many sections are so you can take your pick! With a surface of smooth tarmac, pavement or short sections on the road, there are three notable routes in north Wales. Try Prestatyn to Rhyl, a six mile (nine km) stretch with ice cream on route. The three mile (five km) route from Conwy to Deganwy passes the smallest house in Britain before taking in views of the mighty Conwy Castle. Or opt for a seaside path with sea views as you make your way from Abergele to Llanddulas.
History and heritage
Caernarfon Castle has dominated the north-west Wales landscape since the 13th century. A UNESCO World Heritage Site together with Beaumaris, Conwy and Harlech castles, it was built at the request of King Edward I. There is ramped access to the castle at the King’s Gate. The King’s Gate was reopened in 2023 thanks to a conservation and development project, including the installation of a lift, to allow visitors to access its upper levels. However, at present, the upper floors of the King’s Gate are inaccessible; keep an eye on Cadw’s website for accessibility updates. Inside the castle grounds, there are even pathways and cropped grassy areas to explore the ground level. Audio guides are available, there are portable induction loops, and assistance dogs are welcome.
Find out what life was like in a Victorian prison at Ruthin Gaol, the only Pentonville-style prison open to the public in Great Britain. Sending shivers down the spine of visitors, the prison was in use until 1916. See how inmates ate and how punishments were served. With a lift to the upper floors the space is wheelchair accessible, there is special access to exhibits for visitors who are blind or partially sighted and assistance dogs are welcome.
Arts and culture
Stimulate your senses as science comes to life at Xplore! Science Discovery Centre. Based in the city centre of Wrexham, this interactive museum is inclusive to everyone and is designed to ignite the mind and senses. Staff are happy to help and have received Dementia Friends training from the Alzheimer’s Society and autism awareness training from the National Autistic Society. There is level access throughout, hearing loops in the reception area, a Changing Places toilet, and assistance dogs are welcome.
