Wales
PWLLHELI
Pwllheli Promenade and Beach
NB Thanks to the generosity of Peter Hewlett from Manaros (see places to stay lower down the page) this area was researched during early November 2010 however some of the attractions were closed for the winter months and so we will be researching further information about the Llyn Peninsula during 2012.
Pwllheli is a coastal town located on the Llyn Peninsula (an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) in Northwest Wales. Its location makes it an ideal base not only to explore this area but also Snowdonia, Anglesey and the western coast of Wales.
A weekly market is held each Wednesday in Y Maes and a good proportion of the shops in the town centre have wheelchair access. The recently completed marina can berth over 400 boats.
The Tourist Information Centre which has alternative ramped access is located in Station Square opposite the town's station and our researchers found the staff very knowledgable and helpful.
Within the station buildings is the C.Y.M.R.O.D. Travel Club where residents and visitors can hire wheelchairs and also mobility scooters (for £10 per day or £50 per 7 day week). Their office is open from 9am - 12.30pm Monday to Friday. Booking at least 24 hours in advance will avoid disappointment phone 01758 614311. NB Proof of identity with an address such as a utility bill will be needed.
There are designated toilets located in Y Maes and Penlan Street where there is also designated parking. There are additional designated parking places by the station, at North Quay and in Cardiff Road.
For accessible places to stay in the area please scroll to the bottom of the page and for more information on this area's many accessible attractions please read on.
Cambrian Coastal Railway
Pwllheli Station
The Cambrian Coastal Railway runs from Pwllheli on the Llyn Peninsula in North Wales to Machynlleth, where visitors who wish to do so, can board another train to continue on as far as Aberystwyth. The route closely follows the coast for much of the journey with the scenic views of the shoreline and mountains making it an extremely pleasant day out.
Boarding the train
Our researchers travelled from Pwllheli to Machynlleth, a journey of approximately two and a half hours, then spent 3 hours in Machynlleth before returning. They booked the assisted passenger service 48 hours before travelling which worked extremely successfully. On arrival at Pwllheli the station staff were expecting them and were ready and waiting, the train ramp was put in place and they were escorted to their reserved seats. All the staff they encountered on their journey were friendly and helpful and it was a very positive experience.
For more detailed accessibility information about the service and details of their trip please click here.
Pwllheli Beach Trail
A view of the promenade
This two mile long linear trail is located at the coastal town of Pwllheli on the Llyn Peninsula in North Wales. The trail starts at Station Square in the town centre and follows a route along Ffordd Y Cob for approximately half a mile with views over the Marina on the way. At the end of the road is Pwllheli Beach and the start of the Promenade which then runs alongside the beach and sand dunes for a further half mile.
The designated disabled access point
Towards the end of the trail there is seating with excellent sea views where you can also see the Cambrian Mountain range, the St Tudwals islands and the distant Llanbedrog and Abersoch headlands. There is a designated disabled access point to the beach at a halfway point along the promenade (see photo above ) however it is important to note that this boardwalk has no wheelchair/scooter turning space and has a drop at the beach end on to soft sand.
For more detailed accessibility information about the trail please click here.
Criccieth
Some seaside themed planting in the town centre
Criccieth is an attractive coastal town located on the Lleyn Peninsula in North Wales approximately 8.5 miles east of Pwllheli. It has two Blue Flag beaches and there are designated toilets by the picnic area on the promenade and in the main car park off of Lon Fel in the town. For visitors with easy access needs it is important to note that the town retains a great deal of original character and a proportion of the towns shops and cafes still have traditional stepped entrances.
Criccieth Castle Visitor Centre
There is ramped access to the castle visitor centre but please note this is accessed across an inclined cobbled pathway. The stepped steep path to the castle is through a gateway at the side of the centre. There is adjacent on-street parking.
Criccieth Promenade
A view of the promenade looking towards the Castle
The Promenade runs alongside the Eastern beach. It is approximately half a mile in length and has stunning seascapes and excellent views of the Castle which is located on a promontory overlooking the town.
Seating on the promenade
The Promenade is featured within a Heritage Walk of Criccieth (which provides more details of the history of the town where the Herring Industry once played a vital role in the economy) and is a pleasant easy wheel/walk.
For more detailed accessibility information about the Promenade please click here.
Oriel Plas Glyn Y Weddw
One of the spacious exhibition areas
This unusual and excellent gallery is located at Llanbedrog approximately 4 miles west of Pwllheli. Plas Glyn-y-Weddw (the dower house) was built in 1856/57 and is a fine example of a (grade 2 listed) Victorian Gothic mansion. It has always had an association with artwork as its original purpose was to house the owner's personal art collection.
The conservatory tea room
The present gallery houses a varied programme of temporary exhibitions as well as a resident collection. A wide variety of workshops and special events such as concerts and craft fairs are also held here during the year and a calendar detailing dates and times is available on their website. There is also a Craft Shop selling Welsh crafts and a tearoom with a pleasant outside eating area within the garden.
For more detailed accessibility information about the gallery and a link to their own website please click here.
Aberdaron
A view overlooking the village
Aberdaron (where the Afon Daron flows into the bay) snuggles into the hills on the south coast of the Llyn Peninsula approximately 13 miles west of Pwllheli. It retains all the character of a traditional welsh fishing village and has some interesting buildings including the old post office that was designed by Clough Williams-Ellis the creator of Portmerion.
The picnic area has wonderful sea views
There is a large car park and designated toilets (closed on our visit). The promenade has good accessibility for all visitors and spectacular views over the beach across the bay to the mountains of Snowdonia.
Parc Glasfryn
The go cart track
Situated six miles north of Pwllheli directly off of the A499 is Parc Glasfryn, a family activity centre that offers a range of activities including a go-cart track, 8 lane ten pin bowling, pool, archery, a soft play area and new for 2010 wake-boarding. In addition there is a programme of special events held throughout the year please check out their website for more details.
The eight lane bowling facility
Access to each activity is obviously dependent on individual ability but this is a privately run attraction and as such the staff are happy and willing to assist visitors to enjoy as many aspects of the activities on offer that they are able to do. It is important to note however that if personal assistance such as lifting and handling is needed then visitors will need to ensure that they are accompanied by an able companion.
For more detailed accessibility information about some of the individual activities and the site as well as a link to their own website please click here.
Lon Eifion
A section of the trail at Bryncir
Approximately 11 miles north of Pwllheli is Lon Eifion, a 12 mile long cycle trail running between Bryncir and Caernarfon. Much of it runs along the old Caernarfon - Dinas track bed of the Welsh Highland Railway. The route was opened to the public as the Lôn Eifion cycle path in the 1980's and has recently undergone path surface improvement.
One of the bridges over the river on this picturesque trail
Due to time constraints our researchers did not complete the entire route but can confirm a 1.5 mile section starting from Bryncir is level easy wheeling with picturesque views over streams and the surrounding countryside. Further along the route, the trail passes by the Inigo Jones Slateworks (where there is a cafe and toilets) and this was also investigated and found to be level easy walking/wheeling.
Both these access points and the gates along the route would be suitable for all terrain mobility scooters.
For more detailed accessibility information about the trail please click here.
Inigo Jones Slate Works
The Visitor Centre
The Inigo Jones Slate Works was founded in 1861 and originally its main product was writing slates for schools. The company now produces a wide range of craft and garden items from natural welsh slate including bespoke engraved slate nameplates and plaques.
Some of the tactile exhibits on the tour
As well as the visitor centre/showroom there is a self guided tour of the Works (lasting approximately 1 hour) which starts with a very informative film. The rest of the tour is conducted via audio guides with headphones with numbered points on route. There is a craft shop, cafe and designated toilets on site.
For more detailed accessibility information and a link to their own website please click here.
Porthmadog
The Harbour
Porthmadog is located 13 miles east of Pwllheli and is a vibrant busy town with lots of individual shops and places to eat. It was once a great seaport and is now home to the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways. The Tourist Information Centre is located in the High Street where there is also blue badge parking and a designated toilet.
The Ffestiniog Railway
Heading for Blaenau Ffestiniog
The Ffestiniog Railway was founded in 1832 which makes it the oldest independent railway company in the World. It was originally built as a gravity and horse drawn line as a means to transport slate from the mountain quarries around Blaenau Ffestiniog down to Porthmadog where it was then exported in ships to world wide destinations. After many successful years there was a decline in the slate industry and passenger numbers and the line closed to traffic in 1946. However it was re-opened as a heritage railway in 1954.
Returning to Porthmadog station
Although the railway operates a fleet of vintage rolling stock, adaptations have been made to assist passengers with mobility issues, however prior booking is recommended to ensure the best possible visitor experience. Access to the facilities at Porthmadog and Blaenau Ffestiniog stations is good and assistance is available to board the train.
For more detailed accessibility information and a link to their own website and access statement please click here.
Portmerion Village
The main route down to the centre of the village
Portmerion Village is a unique visitor experience created by Clough Williams Ellis in the 1920's and 1930's to show how a naturally beautiful area can be enhanced with aesthetic landscaping and architecture. During the 1960's it was the set for the cult TV series 'The Prisoner' created by and starring Patrick McGoohan. The colourful buildings set in attractive gardens make this a memorable place to visit.
Unicorn (one of the many attractive buildings) in late Autumn
The topography of this coastal site which slopes steeply down to the shore means there are stepped areas that are not wheelchair accessible and other areas that are challenging. However the areas that are accessible are stunningly beautiful and give an insight into the ethos behind its creation. An accessible minibus can be requested to make the return trip back up to the entrance .
For more detailed accessiblity information about Portmerion Village and a link to their own website please click here.
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.
N.B. As previously stated our researchers assess for accessibility not quality so for accommodation inspection gradings e.g. Diamond ratings, follow the links to each providers own website.
Manaros
Manaros is a large high specificationed, four bedroomed bungalow located on the coast in Aberdaron at the tip of the beautiful Llyn Peninsula in North Wales. The property is all on one level and was designed with easy access in mind. It includes a large open plan living area, conservatory and enclosed patio.
All the bedrooms have an en-suite shower room with one being a wheel-in shower, in addition there is a separate shower room with a level access shower located off of the hallway.
Along the promenade
Included in the rental price is the free loan of a Tramper 'all terrain' electric buggy for the duration of your stay and a list of suitable tramper routes is available.
Returning up the hill to Manaros
The vehicle makes accessing the village and the beach promenade (where there is a designated toilet) much easier and fun.
For more detailed accessibility information and a link to their own website please click here.
The Dome Apartment Portmerion
A view of the Dome from the Village.
Portmerion Hotel is located within the picturesque Portmerion Village at Minffordd near the coastal town of Porthmadog in North West Wales. This stylish apartment is situated within the Dome, one of the many colourful and beautiful buildings that are sited throughout the village. The property is located near the main entrance and has stunning views over the village to the coast
Portmerion Hotel
Guests are able to enjoy the facilities at the main hotel (including the lounges and dining room) which is located overlooking the beach. There is vehicular access down to the hotel where there are designated spaces or alternatively there is a wheelchair accessible minibus available.
For more detailed accessibility information about the apartment and a link to the Portmerion website please click here.
Oriel Plas Glyn Y Weddw
The following property has completed a self assessment tick list as our researchers were unable to conduct a full viewing on their visit and as always we recommend you contact the owners to ensure suitability for your own personal requirements.
An exterior view of the property
This 5 bedroomed property sleeping up to 12 people is located in a private wing at the rear of the Oriel Plas Glyn Y Weddw, a Victorian Gothic Mansion housing an art gallery. One of the bedrooms is on the ground floor with an en-suite wet-room.
The ground floor twin bedroom
The main living area including the kitchen, lounge and other bedrooms is accessed via a wide staircase or alternatively for guests needing easier access there is a lift.
For more detailed accessibility information and a link to their own website please click here.