Whether you’re looking for pram-friendly places to enjoy the last of the school holidays or a summer stroll accessible for a wheelchair, National Trust Cymru have pulled together some of their most accessible walks for you to enjoy.
National Trust Cymru want everyone to be able to access the places they care for across Wales, and while some places are more challenging, the conservation charity have pulled together a list of accessible trails, each specifically chosen for their well-maintained, stile-free paths and gentle terrain.
Borrow a beach wheelchair to enjoy the golden sands of Broad Haven South, use the all-terrain mobility scooter to explore the parkland at Chirk Castle or Tredegar House, follow the purpose-built accessible trail around the lake at Dolmelynllyn Estate or get closer to nature on Dinefwr’s fully accessible board walk.
With just over a week left of summer holidays, pack the pram and head to Plas Newydd for family fun activities in the garden, star in your own musical at Dyffryn Gardens or work your way around the activity stations at Llanerchaeron.
There’s plenty of pram and wheelchair-friendly paths to explore, make sure you look the website to plan your visit and check the access information for each location.
North Wales
Bodnant Garden, Conwy
This historic horticultural haven is a delight all year round with magnolias and rhododendrons in spring, vibrant herbaceous borders in summer, a kaleidoscope of rich leaf colour in autumn, and the colourful and fragrant Winter Garden in winter.
Follow the step-free route along the wheelchair and pram-friendly, compressed-shingle paths to explore some of the garden’s most notable spots including the Terraces with their dramatic mountain views, the Victorian East Garden with its rich seasonal planting, and The Poem, a Victorian mausoleum in The Glades.
With level access to the Pavilion Tea Room, plenty of seating throughout the garden, and picnic benches in the car park, there are plenty of places to relax and connect with nature as you listen to the buzz of wildlife too.
Chirk Castle, Wrexham
Set within the grounds of this dramatic medieval castle there are 5.5 acres of tranquil garden to explore with manicured lawns, clipped yews, seasonal planting, and sweeping views over the Cheshire and Shropshire plains.
New hard surface paths have made access easier for wheelchairs and pushchairs, and a tramper (all-terrain mobility scooter), wheelchairs with offroad tyres, and a volunteer driven shuttlebus are all available from Home Farm, next to the car park (please check ahead to confirm availability).
There is quite a slope down to the Lower Garden, but the path surface is wheelchair appropriate and there are many benches, particularly around the Top Lawn, Rose Garden, along the ha-ha and in the Hawk House, to rest and enjoy the garden’s seasonal highlights.
Erddig, Wrexham
This 13.5 acre listed garden was almost lost forever but now there are lush lawns, a Victorian parterre, avenues of pleached lime trees and two large ponds or ‘canals’ to explore.
The wide, flat pram-friendly paths leading up to, and around, the garden are made of hard gravel, which is easy to navigate and there is an accessible ramp into the garden itself. Benches are also located throughout the garden for you to stop and enjoy seasonal highlights such as the snowdrops, blossom, billowing herbaceous borders and fruit trees heavy with autumn produce.
Gelert’s grave walk, Eryri (Snowdonia)
Follow the path around this one-mile circular walk in the heart of Eryri (Snowdonia) and uncover the legend of Prince Llywelyn and his faithful hound, Gelert, who gave this charming village its name.
This pram-friendly concrete path runs alongside the River Glaslyn and crosses two bridges at each end of the walk, both with ramp access and small incline. There are a couple of gates along the route which can be pushed open and several benches to enjoy the mountain views and listen to the peaceful sound of the river. It’s the perfect place to escape into nature.
Ornamental Lake walk, Dolmelynllyn, South Eryri (Snowdonia)
In 1936, National Trust Cymru began caring for 1,700 acres of land in South Eryri (Snowdonia) which is classified as both a SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) and a SAC (Special Areas of Conservation). Known locally as the Dolmelynllyn Estate, the site’s Ornamental Lakes have been restored and developed with accessibility in mind so it’s the perfect place to slow down, relax, and escape into nature.
Follow the easy, level, hard-surfaced path around the 0.6 mile circular route and look for salmon, sea trout, dragonflies, and other wildlife as you explore the viewing platforms that extend out over the lake’s edge. Accessible toilets are available in the Ganllwyd car park and designated Blue Badge parking can be found next to the lake itself.
Plas Newydd House and Garden, Anglesey
Nestled on the shores of the Menai Strait, with dramatic views out to the mountains of Eryri, Plas Newydd’s location is hard to beat – and with 40 acres of garden to explore there’s plenty to see.
Follow the broad tarmac path, perfect for wheelchairs and prams, from the mansion to Church Bank Wood and take a moment to rest on a bench as you enjoy views across the water and look for inquisitive red squirrels amongst the trees in the Arboretum. Explore the sloping tarmac paths that lead between benches and tranquil spots in the West Indies which has plenty to discover all year round from large specimen trees and beautiful magnolias to hydrangeas, and Japanese maples. Or, follow the firm, gravel path to the mansion which has seating in each room and level access to the ground floor. Here you’ll find one of the largest and most well-known murals in the United Kingdom, painted by the artist Rex Whistler.
Penrhyn Castle and Garden, Bangor
Explore this fantasy castle with industrial and colonial foundations surrounded by a walled garden, meadows and woodland walks overlooking the north Wales coast.
Enjoy a step-free circular walk around the castle on loose gravel paths. You can access the top terrace of the Walled Garden without steps, and the lower bog garden by using the ramped path along the outside of the garden. There are benches throughout the grounds overlooking the coast as well as accessible picnic tables on the lawn by the castle.
For a step-free, level entrance into the castle, head towards the Castle Café. There’s also a volunteer run buggy service which transports visitors between the visitor centre and the main castle. Depending on availability, the buggy can take visitors from the castle around the garden and grounds also.
Mid Wales
Llanerchaeron, Ceredigion
There are plenty of spots to explore in the scenic landscape that surrounds Llanerchaeron’s elegant Georgian villa. Follow the paths around the tranquil lake in the Pleasure Ground or visit the charming 18th century kitchen garden, which is home to ancient fruit trees, vibrant flower borders, and a wonderfully fragrant herb garden.
From Visitor Reception there is a long wheelchair-friendly ramp of cast concrete which leads to the garden and pleasure grounds which both have wide, level, hard gravel paths and plenty of benches to stop and take a moment to spot birds and other wildlife.
South Wales
Dinefwr, Carmarthenshire
A magical land of power and influence for more than 2,000 years, Dinefwr is one of the most iconic places in Welsh History.
From March to October, follow the fully accessible boardwalk through the medieval deer park’s beautiful bog woods as you look for fallow deer and some of Britain’s most elusive mammals and birds from otters to white tree creepers. The route is 500 metres each way and leads to the tranquil and historic Mill Pond.
To access Newton House, follow the tarmac drive from the car park to the main gates, where the surface becomes compacted gravel and enter the house using the accessible ramp. A small lift is available to help you to explore the Ground Floor, First Floor, Basement and from here, there is also level access to the café for you to relax with a tasty treat.
Dyffryn Gardens, Cardiff
Visit this peaceful oasis on the outskirts of Cardiff which has something new to discover on every visit.
Pick up a welcome leaflet from the level-access Visitor Welcome Centre and follow the step-free route along tarmac and occasionally compacted gravel paths through intricate themed garden rooms, sweeping formal lawns, a fragrant rose garden, and a productive kitchen garden that’s used to grow all manner of fruit, vegetables and cut flowers. Don’t miss the Tropical Glasshouse which is bursting with otherworldly delights from orchids and vines to cacti and succulents – access is level with a light door that can be easily pushed open.
To make access easier, wheelchairs and a mobility scooter are available to prebook and a volunteer-run visitor buggy is available most days (please check ahead to confirm availability).
Rhosili, Gower Peninsula
Located on the most Western part of the Gower Peninsula, Rhosili Bay is a haven for wildlife with grey seals, marine birdlife, and wildflowers.
From the car park in Rhosili there is a pram-friendly, wheelchair accessible, walk along the cliff top to the Old Coastguard Lookout which is 0.8-miles in each direction. This flat route follows a wide tarmacked path for most of the way, and it has regular benches for you to stop and enjoy the beautiful views of Rhosili’s long sandy beach, which is overlooked by the Old Rectory, the most popular National Trust holiday cottage. The last 0.2 miles of the route is across short, level, grass and it finishes with dramatic views of the tidal island, Worm’s Head.
Stackpole, Pembrokeshire
National Trust Cymru have been working hard to improve accessibility across the Stackpole Estate, so pre-book a tramper (all-terrain mobility scooter) or beach wheelchair for free from the Stackpole Centre to explore further afield with ease. The Accessibility Map will show you all the best routes and with mature woodlands, sandy beaches, freshwater lakes and formal gardens, there’s lots to see.
For costal scenery, follow the 1.2-mile route from the Stackpole Centre, across Eight-Arch Bridge and along a rough farm track (suitable for trampers and pushchairs) to Stackpole Quay where you’ll find ramped access to the Boathouse Tea-room where you can enjoy a tasty treat before making your return journey. Or look for waterlilies and experience the transition from woodland to coast as you follow the 1-mile path from Stackpole Centre down to the Eight-Arch Bridge, along Bosherston Lakes, and on to Broad Haven South beach (suitable from trampers and pushchairs).
Tredegar House, Newport
With sweeping lawns, a serpentine lake, and many historic trees there’s plenty to discover in the gardens and parkland at Tredegar House. Follow the wide wheelchair and pram-friendly hardened paths into the centre of the formal gardens and explore the Orchard Garden with its wildflowers and apple trees, the Cedar Garden with its large herbaceous borders and ornately gilded gateways, and the Orangery Garden with its intricate ornamental parterre. With several benches to sit and relax, it’s the perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle of city life.
After exploring the formal gardens head to the Laundry Garden, an accessible community garden, which is brimming with bee-friendly plants and vegetables or visit the parkland which is teeming with wildlife all year round. Here, there are several paths made up of tarmac and gravel that lead to the gatehouses on the far side of the park, up to the lake, and into the woodland.
For those wanting to explore further afield, a Tramper (all-terrain mobility scooter) is also available to pre-book from Visitor Reception.
