When looking for somewhere to celebrate Alfie’s 31st birthday, we really had no idea where we wanted to go. We had it in our minds that we wanted to do a road trip and even considered driving to Germany but then a friend said how beautiful North Wales was and that was it! As soon as I started looking, I couldn’t stop.
There was so much to see and do, and the fact it was only a 2 hour drive away to get to Wales was really appealing. We decided we’d do a little Wales road trip around the north of Wales and it was so beautiful. As an ambulatory wheelchair user, we found some great places for accessibility, and others that were only doable because I can walk short distances.
Day 1 Wales Road Trip
Stop 1: Gwrych Castle
We nearly turned around when we saw how difficult the terrain was here, but if you head into the ticket office and let them know you’re using a mobility aid and you can park further up on flatter, less rocky grounds! It is the most beautiful castle I’ve ever seen and being able to explore it was so magical. I would highly recommend a power chair as it’s all mostly uphill, but there is a large area where you park that you can see a lot of the castle. At £11 for two of us, I think it’s a great price and they do a great job at making it accessible so more people can enjoy it.
@georginagrogan_ Gwrych Castle Wales wheelchair accessibility was super surprising! @Gwrych Castle Head into the office and let them know you’re using a mobility aid and you can park further up on flatter, less rocky grounds! We loved exploring Gwrych Castle, it is truly beautiful! #wales #visitwales #GwrychCastle #wheelchairuser #accessibletravel ♬ original sound – Georgina Grogan
Stop 2: Llandudno
This is an absolutely beautiful seaside town that is really flat and easy to get around. We headed to the pier which was so busy (we visited on a Sunday) before heading for lunch a little further down where it was quieter. I quickly googled for seafood recommendations and Dylan’s Restaurant came up as a great spot. It’s a fully wheelchair accessible restaurant with a great accessible toilet, and everything really impressed us. We absolutely loved our food and really recommend it. They have several branches around North Wales and even have some shops and bakeries!
Stop 3: Conwy Castle
Conwy Castle is absolutely incredible, it’s so grand and you can see it for miles around. It isn’t wheelchair accessible though but they do let you know that straight away and give you a lot of information. They actually don’t even charge wheelchair users to go in, or their companions, because they realise you might not be able to see much! You will have to be able to navigate up a very steep hill, and then walk up 15 steps, with more random steps throughout, as well as lots of towers. I managed to get into the great hall and then let Alfie go and explore more. There are such stunning views here and I’m so glad we went in!
@georginagrogan_ Conwy Castle Wales is not wheelchair accessible, but they let you know at the ticket office and don’t charge you to go in! It’s up a steep incline and then 15 steps, with more steps inside. If you’re ambulatory and can manage it’s so beautiful with stunning views! #visitwales #wales #ambulatorywheelchairuser #conwy #conwycastle #walestravel ♬ original sound – Georgina Grogan
Stop 4: Conwy
Conwy is such a beautiful little town, I actually found it quite easy to get around although most shops and restaurants would have been a struggle. We went to visit The Smallest House In Great Britain, which I didn’t realise if you get there within opening times, you can actually go in! We just had a photo outside and carried on exploring Conwy.
Stop 5: Ixora hotel
I picked the Ixora Hotel for us to stay at as it seemed quite central to where we wanted to explore and it’s a really beautiful hotel. If you’re doing a Wales road trip, I would definitely suggest this to be a place you stop! The accessible rooms were really impressive too but I have a full blog review on them.
Stop 6: Fairy Falls (failed)
We were so in love with Wales that we decided to try and visit a waterfall that wasn’t too far away. We followed the instructions of where to park, and then followed the route up an extremely steep hill, I felt like I was going to fall back out of my chair. That’s when the torrential rain started and we had to run back to the car, on full speed for me! Fairy Falls does sound like a lovely place to visit but I wouldn’t say wheelchair friendly based off the parking situation and just gaining access to the route.
Stop 7: The Old Ship
This was a very random pick but oh my goodness, some of the best food we’ve ever had. We still drool thinking about it! We headed into this little pub just before they stopped taking food orders (they were closing earlier that day), and we were so grateful that they let us order. We didn’t have chance to read the menu properly and both ordered the lamb, but it ended up being half a lamb shoulder and it was flipping huge. The best lamb ever though, and we kept complimenting them! If you’re in the area, we’d both highly recommend.
Day 2:
Stop 1: Aber Falls
This is described online and by others, as an wheelchair accessible route to a beautiful waterfall. I nearly fell out of my chair, feared for my life and I’m surprised my chair didn’t completely break, but it was magical and we absolutely loved it. I’d actually say if you do have a similar chair and you’re ambulatory, or a better chair with a 4 wheel drive, it’s well worth it. But I wouldn’t attempt it as a manual user or transit user, because it’s really rocky, uneven, up steep slopes, and overall quite a difficult trail. They advertise it as ‘accessible for all’ but a couple people on food stopped us to ask how we were getting on (they knew wheelchair users or had disabled children that used chairs) and said how much they were struggling.
Is Aber Falls actually wheelchair accessible? It really does depend on your type of chair and your disability. It’s possible for some people, but it is definitely not an easy trail.
@georginagrogan_ Aber Falls in North Wales is described as an accessible trail to the waterfall, but is it? My chair only really struggling towards the waterfall, most of the trail was doable but quite painful! You definitely need a power chair or power attachment, I wouldn’t recommend for manual wheelchair users or pushing someone sadly! Aber falls is really beautiful though and I’m so glad we experienced it! #aberfalls #wales #northwales #ambulatorywheelchairuser #accessibletravel ♬ original sound – Georgina Grogan
Stop 2: Bodnant Gardens
If you want something absolutely stunning and that has really great accessibility, the National Trust Bodnant Gardens is a true beauty. There are two paths marked with red for easy, or blue for harder and they take marking those paths very seriously. We had such a gorgeous time here, it was a welcome break for my chair with much easier terrain, so many gorgeous flowers, and we kept seeing people coming away with some, so we had to go buy a few plants for my friend.
There’s an accessible cafe at the entrance (before you pay to go in) and accessible toilet. It costs us £18 for two. (Please note wheelchair users and companions do get different rates for lots of places.)
@georginagrogan_ Bodnant Gardens – North Wales Looking for something wheelchair accessible to do in north wales? It’s a National Trust garden and it’s absolutely beautiful. There’s a red route for wheelchairs and prams and a blue route for a less easy route. With accessible parking, accessible cafe, and wheelchairs to hire, Bodnant Gardens is a gorgeous day out! @National Trust #northwales #wales #visitwales #bodnantgardens #nationaltrust #ambulatorywheelchairuser #accessibletravel ♬ original sound – Georgina Grogan
Stop 3: Tu Hwnt L’r Bont Tearooms
How can you go to Wales without visiting the most photographed house in Wales? We were told that the tearooms had scaffolding up, but it’s off now and they’ve just removed the greenery on the roof to do vital repairs so the house can be enjoyed for many more years to come. It’s still so beautiful. We made a point to go in and support them, as I imagine they might have lost custom with the scaffolding so Alfie had the welsh rarebit and I had some coffee cake, that was so nice I took the rest back with me! It’s not wheelchair accessible (obviously, but you know I still have to say) and I didn’t see a toilet so please bear this in mind.
Stop 4: Betws-Y-Coed
Honestly everywhere in Wales was absolutely stunning but I knew we had to add this to our Wales road trip plans. It’s such a gorgeous little town, with a waterfall that’s really easy to get to and see (it’s on the bridge.) We pitched up for a while to enjoy the sun, people watch, and have a little drink. There are lots of lovely bars, restaurants, and shops so we also bought some more gifts for our family too.
Stop 5: Groes Inn
Alfie made his own list of places he wanted to try for our Wales road trip and this was on it. The food in Wales really did impress us, I wasn’t expecting it to be such a foodie trip but we were really blown away. With this being our last meal, we really took our time. We sat outside in the sun, attempted to play Uno and ordered some starters to share, which included the best duck spring rolls of my life. They were that good, we ordered more for our mains!
We’d actually go back to Wales just for the food, but the views? The people? Everything is just beautiful there.
For day 3 we spent the morning at the Wave Garden Spa before heading home, but there is so much to do and see, you could easily extend a Wales road trip and see so much more. For us, this was a perfect taste of Wales and left us wanting more!
Have you visited Wales before?
