Wales
IN AND AROUND ANGLESEY
Beaumaris
Anglesey is an island separated from the mainland of Wales by a narrow strip of water known as the Menai Strait. It is approached by either of two bridges, the Menai bridge or the Britannia Bridge. The whole island has beautiful coastal scenery and the views over the Menai Strait that take in the panorama of the Snowdonia mountains are spectacular.
Beaumaris is situated on the coast just over six miles from the Britannia Bridge and is an attractive and interesting town that retains much of its history and character. As a consequence some of the shops have stepped entrances however there are a selection of accessible cafes and restaurants. There are a wealth of dropped kerbs in the main street but please note that the pavements have drainage gulleys at regular intervals which can cause jarring for wheelchair users and could be a tripping hazard for people with visual impairment.
There are radar key operated designated toilets located near the castle entrance (see more info for the castle) and in Wall Street (N.B. this facility has very limited dimensions, partial right hand transfer and an overhead chain to flush).
Beaumaris Castle
The rear defences of the castle
Dominating it is the castle that King Edward 1st built towards the end of the reign of the Gwynedd princes. The majority of it is accessible for wheelchair users and people with disabilities who are accompanied by an essential carer are not charged for entry.
Much of the internal grounds are laid to mown grass
There are interpretation boards within the castle walls and many of the surfaces have been reinforced with matting. The castle is designated a world heritage site and its location adjacent to the sea shore and the fact that most of the defences remain intact make this a memorable visitor experience.
For more detailed accessibility information and a link to their own website please click here.
Beaumaris Courthouse
Inside the Courthouse
Also in the town are the old Gaol and the Courthouse which have limited wheelchair access. The Courthouse is located opposite the castle and there is wheelchair access to the main courtroom and some of the downstairs however not to the upstairs.
Inside the Gaol
The gaol is located off of Steeple Street and although there is access to the small shop and main corridor, many of the doorways are too narrow in the gaol for self propelling wheelchairs. However you do get a feeling for the gruesome conditions prisoners found themselves in and the admission fee is reduced for wheelchair users. N.B. There is a designated toilet on the ground floor at the Courthouse but the toilets at the Gaol are located upstairs.
Pilis Palas
Pili Palas ( Butterfly Farm )
Back towards the Menai Bridge and situated just off of the A5025 is Pili Palas . This all weather attraction has good accessibility and is well worth the visit. There is a cafe serving light lunches and a shop on site.
The terrapin pool at Pili Palas
As well as the butterflies, there are lots of other creatures to encounter including birds, lizards and snakes. Visitors can handle rabbits and guinea pigs or something more unusual like a giant stick insect or cockroach. A recent addtion to the facilities for visitors with disabilities is changing place accessible toilet complete with portable hoist.
For more detailed acccessibility information about Pili Palas and a link to their own website please click here.
The Dingle Local Nature Reserve
The River Cefni
Located within wheeling distance of the town centre at Llangefni, roughly in the centre of Anglesey, is the Dingle Nature Reserve where there are 650 metres of wheelchair accessible boardwalk to explore. The entrance to the reserve, which covers 25 acres of woodland in a valley bordering the river Cefni, is located by St Cyngar's Church. The other name for the site is Nant y Pandy which refers to the Fulling Mill which was sited further upstream and once was used to process woollen cloth.
Part of the board walk
There is excellent access to this beautiful area via the boardwalk and woodland paths. For visitors wishing to try a longer accessible trail there is a good surfaced cycle path that extends from the end of the board walk up to the Llyn Cefni Reservoir.
For more detailed accessibility information and a website link please click here.
Anglesey Model Village
Anglesey Model Village
In the south of the island on the A4080 close to Dwyran is Anglesey model village and gardens. There are level hard surfaced paths throughout the site with excellent views of the replica buildings and scenes.
Many of the models such as the quarry, fairgound and windmill have working elements and some like the church have music playing. There is also a cafe and picnic area on site.
For more detailed accessibility information and a link to their own website please click here
Tacla Taid Transport Museum
Just a few of the exhibits
Just a short distance from the Model Village is Tacla Taid Transport Museum which houses a wealth of classic cars, agricultural and commercial vehicles, motor cycles and other transport related items.
A former tour bus from Llandudno
This is a great 'all weather' attraction as the collection is housed indoors. There is a cafe and covered picnic area on site and general access around the exhibits is good.
For more detailed accessibility information and a contact phone number please click here.
Anglesey Sea Zoo
Anglesey Sea Zoo
A short distance from the model village and situated on the coast is Anglesey Sea Zoo and Marine Resource Centre. The site has good access and is extremely interesting, showing many of the creatures that live in local waters.
Learning about one of the exhibits
Over the years the Sea Zoo's work has developed and it's activities now include captive breeding and release, conservation as well as education and outreach.There is also a shop and a cafe on site.
For more detailed accessibility information and a link to their own website please click here.
Plas Newydd
Plas Newydd
This beautiful property is situated on the shoreline of the Menai Straits with magnificent views over the water to the mountains of Snowdonia. The main car park is situated near the entrance to the grounds some distance from the house, however there is a dropping off point for disabled visitors by the house. For those that are able to transfer from their wheelchair there is a courtesy bus.
Accessible tables at Plas Newydd
Some of the gardens of the house are set on sloping ground and a strong pusher is needed to access them. Part of the formal garden is not wheelchair accessible. There is a shop and the only designated accessible toilet near the main car park. There is also a tearoom which as well as snacks serves lunches and stays open a half an hour after the house closes.
For more detailed accessibility information and a link to their own website please click here.
RSPB South Stack
The view from Ellins Tower
RSPB South Stack is located on two coastal sites in a beautiful area on the North West of the island. It is approached along a winding narrow road with very few passing places. The path to Ellins Tower leads from the first car park and is approximatelt half a mile long offering visitors lovely views over the headland which on our researchers visit was coloured purple and yellow with heather and gorse.
The observatory at the tower is accessed via a staircase however during the breeding season there is a tv screen, linked to a camera located on the lower level of the tower showing live footage of the nesting sites.
The view from the road down to the Lighthouse
There is a cafe, shop and small designated toilet located at the second car park and also an outside picnic area with beautiful views of the coastline. Tickets for the Lighthouse can be purchased in the shop however this can only be accessed down 400 steps so would only be suitable for very fit and able visitors.
For more detailed accessibility information and a link to their own website please click here.
Seawatch
Our researcher checking out the view from inside the centre
The Seawatch Centre is located at Moelfre and has wheelchair access into the building where the centrepiece of the exhibit is the lifeboat. For visitors with good mobility there is the opportunity to climb aboard the lifeboat and see inside the cockpit. The building also houses some interpretation material about the lifeboat service and the RNLI, a shop and the information desk.
Outside the centre you can access an area to the rear which has picnic tables (no wheelchair accessible tables) and beautiful views of the bay. There is a gravel path down to a coastal path which then runs along to the lifeboat station but please note most wheelchair users would benefit from some able assistance with the gravelled surface.
It is also important to note there is not a cafe and the only toilets on site are portaloos located in the car park (no designated parking spaces) and they are not wheelchair accessible.
Anglesey is an island that offers a range of historic and more modern visitor attractions that would prove interesting to visitors of all ages.