Wales
IN AND AROUND WELSHPOOL WITH A WHEELCHAIR
The High Street in Welshpool town centre
Welshpool is situated at the upper end of Severn Valley near the border between Wales and England. It is a busy Market Town (markets held on Saturdays and Mondays) surrounded by the gentle hilly countryside of Montgomeryshire and the rugged unspoilt scenery of Mid Wales. The town has a good proportion of accessible shops and eating establishments offering a wide variety of smaller unique retail outlets and well known High Street stores. There is a disabled toilet adjacent to the information centre behind the main car park (with designated spaces) off of Church Street.
For accessible places to stay in the area please scroll to the bottom of the page and for a wider accommodation search for other areas of Wales and the UK click here.
Powysland Museum
The Powysland Museum is housed in a former warehouse on the Montgomery Canal that runs through
the eastern edge of the town and is only five minutes walk from Church Street. There is a small car park and level access into the building. The wide range of exhibits depicting local life and the history of Montgomeryshire are housed on two floors with wheelchair access to the upper floor via a lift.
The social history gallery on the upper floor of the museum
Signage within the museum is accessible, clear and of a good size font. Access around each floor area is also good. The museum does not have designated toilet facilities for all visitors but those with disabilities may use the accessible toilet used by the museum staff.
The approach to the Welshpool station of the Welshpool and Llanfair Light Railway
On the western fringes of the town is the Welshpool station of the Welshpool and Llanfair Light Railway. The railway was opened in 1903 to link the rural communities surrounding Welshpool to the market town itself. The track runs for eight miles up some steep inclines through the Banwy Valley to the station at Llanfair Caereinion. There is a small museum exhibit and a shop at the Welshpool station.
Katie our guest researcher for the day boarding the train
We met up with a young lady called Katie and her family who were also trying out the railway trip for the first time. Katie kindly agreed to be our guest researcher for the day and she is pictured above boarding the train. Facilities on the railway for wheelchair users are very good. There are accessible toilets at both Welshpool (this has larger dimensions) and Lllanfair Caereinion, level access to the platforms and ramped access to the tearoom and shop at Llanfair. The friendly staff are on hand to offer assistance to board and one of the main carriages has wider doors to allow wheelchair access inside. Pre-booking will ensure a place is available on the day. (N.B. Some of the extra large powered wheelchairs may be too large for access to the carriages please ring for advice on 01938 810441).
The hide at Llyn Coed-y-Dinas Nature Reserve
Travelling south out of the town on the A490 for approximately half a mile you will see signs to the Llyn Coed-y-Dinas Nature Reserve. The site now managed by the Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust is a restored gravel pit that was used to provide building material for the Welshpool by-pass. There is a hard surfaced path from the car park to the bird hide overlooking the lake. Access into the hide is via a wide sliding door and as can be seen in the photograph there is a large viewing window out over the lake. On our visit we saw sand martins feeding their young in nests in a bank at the side of the hide and a wide variety of other birdlife including a kingfisher.
A view across the reserve from the hide
Unfortunately the opening windows for use with binoculars were not accessible for wheelchair users. Also at the site is a short circular walk around a meadow to a dipping pond please note this has rough gravel in places.
Unusual topiary at the Coed-y-Dinas Garden, Home and Country Centre
There are no public toilets at the reserve but there are accessible facilities and an excellent cafe/restaurant at the nearby Coed-y-Dinas Garden, Home and Country Centre.
One of the skilled craftswomen melting the lead/pewter bars in the Moulding Workshop
Silver Scenes craft workshops are situated 5 miles south of Welshpool off the A483 in the pretty black and white timbered village of Berriew. This family business has been producing gifts and keepsakes for over 20 years. Access to the shop is up a small step and there is also a small step to the warehouse so some assistance may be needed. There is a shop and showroom on site and visitors can have a guided tour of the workshops. Wheelchair users are requested to prebook to ensure access through the warehouse to the workshops is clear.
Learning about the silver plating process
A wide range of silver plated items such as trinket boxes, picture frames and jewelry are produced on site. It is possible to watch the whole process from the melting of the pewter/lead bars that make up the base metal of the items, through moulding, abrasing, dipping, copper coating, more dipping and silver plating to blacking, polishing and finally the finished product. The gifts are also designed by the company and can be purchased to provide a unique souvenir from the area.
The entrance to the Andrew Logan Sculpture Museum
Berriew is also the home of the museum dedicated to the work of world renowned sculpter Andrew Logan. The museum houses a wide range of exhibits of Logan's art work showing the extravagance, vivid colour and humour that he achieves from the transformation of real objects into new creations. There is level access into the gallery, small gift shop and tearoom.
'The Cosmic Egg' one of the amazing sculptures.
It is open on Saturdays and Sundays from 12- 4 p.m. throughout June, July, August and September but also opens at other times for private viewings for groups by appointment. There is an accessible toilet on site (room to side transfer but no wheelchair turning space) however wheelchair access to this is via a storeroom at the rear of the building so some assistance may be needed.
The courtyard at Glansevern Hall Gardens
Glansevern Hall Gardens are situated on the main A483 just south of the road to Berriew. Access to the gardens is across a rough surfaced car park through the shop into the gravelled courtyard. There is a paved path (avoiding the gravel) around one side of the courtyard to the lake. Manual wheelchair users will need the assistance of a fit and able pusher to access the gardens as most of the pathways are grassed and uneven with short deeply gravelled sections in places. It is not possible to complete a circular route around the lake due to the steeply arched bridge at the far end. The left hand path at the lakeside is flatter and more easily accessed.
Part of the formal bedding in front of the Hall
As well as the beautiful informal garden around the lake, the grounds also contain a large walled garden, well planted formal beds, lawns and a rock covered grotto. There is a tearoom on site (with a 3 inch step), extra tables in the courtyard and a designated toilet (this however has very small dimensions and no room to side transfer).
Broad Street in Montgomery town centre
The ancient town of Montgomery lies seven miles south of Welshpool on the B4388. It retains its original character and has a wealth of interesting buildings. There are public coveniences at the rear of the town hall but not an accessible toilet. However if would like some refreshment then the Castle Kitchen Restaurant/Delicattessan serves freshly prepared meals and snacks as well as selling local and Welsh produce. It also has level access and a good accessible toilet.
One of the bridges spanning the castles ditch defences
The town is dominated by remains of Montgomery Castle that stand on the hill behind the town. You can drive up from the town to a small car park with a designated space. The pathway from the car park has a good surface but has an incline so manual wheelchair users may need some light assistance. Access to the castle remains is across two bridges giving excellent views of the castle's deeply ditched defences. The present castle was started in 1223 and replaced an earlier 'motte and bailey' castle called Hen Domen sited one mile away to the north west. This new site on a rocky outcrop proved an excellent choice as the castle was never taken by force throughout the town's turbulent history and it remained an English stronghold in this area of the Marches until it was finally demolished in 1649.
A view over the surrounding countryside from the castle
The path down to the area around the base of the castle walls and the information board overlooking the site of the civil war battle is too steeply inclined for wheelchair access. However there is good access around most of the remains and to the rest of the information boards and there are spectacular views over the surrounding countryside.
The Dam at Lake Vyrnwy
A little further afield set in the mountains approximately 20 miles north west of Welshpool is picturesque Lake Vyrnwy. There is a beautiful seven mile drive around the lake with good picnic areas. At the far end, if you park at the beginning of the forest road just after turning on to the Bala Road it is possible with a very fit and able assistant to push a manual wheelchair user, or for powered wheelchair users to get up the sharp incline of the forest road, then onto a pathway for approximately half a mile. It goes along an attractive river valley at the end of which is a majestic waterfall. At present the weather has deteriorated the surface of the path and there is loose coarse gravel making the going even tougher however this problem is being addressed.
This pathway, the sculpture trail and several RSPB trails were opened up to the disabled with assistance from Woods, Hills and Tracks who are dedicated to allowing access for wheelchair users to rural areas. They also have a site at Moelfre with an accessible trail winding through shrubs and trees with year round interest. Please view their website for visiting details and further information.
Returning to the dam at the beginning of the drive, there is disabled parking, a visitor centre, an RSPB shop and several other shops including a very good craft shop/cafe.
On the sculpture trail
Afterwards if you cross over the dam and turn right, a few hundred yards on the right is a track marked with disabled/sculpture sign. Turn down this, past several cottages, keep to the left and go over a cattle grid and you will find several disabled parking spaces and toilets. This is the start of a sculpture trail which has an excellent accessible path around a fairly level area.
St. Melangells Church
If you take the B4396 from Lake Vrynwy to Pen-y-bont Fawr and then turn left on to the B4391 to Llangynog, then turn left again up a small lane. You will reach the church of St.Melangell (the Patron Saint of hares) with its twelfth century Romanesque shrine. There are two shallow steps at the entrance but it is possible to negotiate these with a little assistance. There are no toilets at the site but there is a disabled public toilet at nearby Llangynog.
Overlooking the river at Pont Llogel
Pont Llogel is part of the Dyfnant Forest on the B4395 and is approximately eight miles from Lake Vyrnwy. The car park has a reasonable surface with an accessible picnic bench. The linear trail follows the course of the Afon Efyrnwy for approximately half a mile. The hard surface is strewn with large coarse gravel which can be awkward to wheel on.
Pont Llogel on a cold frosty winter's morning
There are several steep slopes to negotiate on the way down to the two accessible picnic tables at the end of the trail. It is possible to enjoy pleasant riverside views on this trail whatever the weather.
This is a Category 3 trail which means this route has fairly steep gradients or rougher surfaces and is suitable for manual wheelchair users with assistance (from someone who is fit and able), and powered wheelchair users.
The Welshpool area makes an excellent base from which to enjoy the wide variety of visitor attractions and spectacular countryside in this part of Powys in Mid Wales. We hope this taste of what is on offer here for visitors who need good accessibility encourages you to visit. More detailed access reports of the facilities of each attraction and accommodation are available by e-mail request.
PLACES TO STAY
All accommodation included has been assessed by one of our wheelchair user researchers for accessibility. Please note however whilst we have tried to ensure that the accommodation included will meet most wheelchair users needs we strongly advise you to consult with each provider about your own specific requirements. For accommodation inspection gradings e.g. Diamond ratings, follow the links to each providers own website.
Edderton Hall
Firstly approximately 2 miles from Welshpool at Forden there is Edderton Hall Guest House that offers bed and breakfast accommodation. They have an attractive ground floor accessible room with king size divan bed (right and left hand transfer) that can be converted to a twin with prior notice. It has a door leading out to a small private patio and ramped access to the breakfast/dining room. Evening meals can also be served by prior arrangement.
The en-suite wet room
The en-suite has good access to the spacious shower area and good wheelchair turning space. There is plenty of room for a carer/carers if required but no room to side transfer to the toilet. Guests also have use of a pleasant lounge on the ground floor and a further large patio area at the front of the Hall with magnificient views across the surrounding countryside towards Powys Castle. Mobility aids hire can also be arranged with prior notice. more info
This could be suitable for accompanied wheelchair users.
For further details telephone 01938 580339 or check out their website.
Next approximately 10 miles west of Welshpool in the hills above Llanfair Caereinion lies Madogs Wells which has three comfortable and accessible self catering cottages. One cottage sleeps three people and the other two (3 bedroomed) cottages each sleep six. Access to the entrance of each of the bungalows is from adjacent hard surfaced car parking areas. 'Wrens Nest' has good wheelchair access around the living /kitchen area, a double bedroom and a single bedroom (with right hand transfer) to the bed. The en-suite has a level access shower, room for a carer and space to left hand transfer to the toilet.
Part of the spacious living area in Swallow Cottage
Blackbird Cottage has spacious wheelchair access around the kitchen/dining/lounge areas. There are two twin bedrooms and a double bedroom. There is a good sized shower room with room for a carer if required and space to right hand transfer to the toilet. it also has a separate toilet.
Swallow Cottage's private verandah
Swallow Cottage is new for 2007 and offers very spacious accommodation and its own private verandah overlooking the 8 acres of peaceful fields and woodland belonging to Madog Wells. It has two twin bedrooms and a double bedroom with an extra bed settee. The very spacious en-suite has a level access shower, a bath, plenty of room for a carer/carers if required and room to right hand side transfer to the toilet. There is also a separate toilet and wash basin.
The level access shower in Swallow Cottage
There is spacious wheelchair access around the well equipped kitchen/dining/living areas and out on to the verandah. Swallow and Blackbird Cottages both have emergency pull cords. The owners of Madog Wells have paid attention to detail to ensure good accessibility and the cottages have sockets at accessible heights and large accessible rocker light switches. There are a range of mobility aids on site including a wheeled shower chair and blocks to raise the divan beds to allow use of a portable hoist. The hire of the latter can be arranged with prior notice. Guests also have use of a games room and a small patio area. (N.B.Wheelchair users might need some assistance up the narrow ramped path to these facilities).
These cottages could be suitable for accompanied and unaccompanied wheelchair users.
For further details telephone 01938 810446 or check out their website.
Lane Farm
Lastly there is Lane Farm, Criggion , which offers bed and Breakfast accommodation on a working farm set in lovely countryside on the Shropshire/Welsh border approximately 10 miles north of Welshpool. It has an attractive twin room with an en-suite wheel-in shower and toilet (with room for side transfer). Breakfast is served in the farmhouse dining room.There is level entrance to property across concreted yard. more info
This could be suitable for a wheelchair user accompanied by a companion.
For further details telephone 01743 884288 or check out their website.