Wales
IN AND AROUND WREXHAM WITH A WHEELCHAIR
Wrexham Town Centre
Wrexham is the largest town in North Wales and it has an excellent variety of shops and three indoor markets. There is easy access throughout the town centre and to the majority of the retail outlets. There are many disabled parking spaces at various locations in and around the town. There are disabled toilets in the car park between the library and the police station but if you are shopping in the main centre, there are two nearer ones on the ground floor of Marks and Spencer's store. There is a Shopmobility Scheme that operates from a base adjacent to the bus station tel: 01978 292065.
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.
The commemorative window to The Royal Welch Fusiliers
St Giles Parish Church is situated in Church Street off the High Street and dates back to the end of the 15th century. The roof of the nave is particularly beautiful and is adorned with carved angels. There is a chapel dedicated to the Royal Welch Fusiliers and a rare 16th century brass eagle lectern. The church has good access throughout except to the high altar. Adjacent in Church Street there is a small family run cafe with level access.
A selection of artefacts in the museum
In Regent Street is Wrexham County Borough Museum and although not very large, it has an interesting collection including a reconstruction of the three and a half thousand year old 'Brymbo Man' who lived near Wrexham during the Bronze Age. There are plans to extend the exhibition in the near future.
One of the many interactive displays at Techniquest
Techniquest at Newi is housed on the campus of Newi at Plas Coch. It has full access for disabled visitors and a disabled toilet. It is an interactive science and technology discovery centre with live science shows in the theatre. Its great fun for children and the young at heart. Designed with children in mind all the activities are at the right height for those in wheelchairs. Good family entertainment that is educational as well as enjoyable.
A reconstruction of a forge at Bersham
Bersham Heritage Centre is situated about 2 miles from the town in the Clywedog Valley. There is good parking, access via a ramp, a disabled toilet and shop. The centre houses displays about the local iron industry and 'Iron Mad Wilkinson' who developed a way to bore cylinders that were used for cannons and later on for James Watts steam engines. The nearby ironworks are open during school holidays and have limited access for wheelchair users.
The Plassey Craft and Retail Centre is south of Wrexham on the B5426 Bangor-on-Dee road. It has a plant nursery, a selection of small craft and retail outlets, a cafe and a restaurant. There is adjacent parking, a disabled toilet and access to most of the shops.
Launch Day for the All Ability Bicycles at Alyn Waters Country Park
Situated in the Alyn valley, three miles from the town centre on the A451 Mold road. This is the largest country park in the Wrexham area and has good access for wheelchair visitors. There is a wheelchair friendly sculpture trail around the park with a good all weather surface but you may need assistance in certain areas due to the gradient. The newly extended visitor centre has a disabled toilet and refreshment and rest room facilities. There is an exciting new project that is now up and running. A cycle path has been upgraded and especially adapted bicycles and tricycles suitable for people with disabilities (and their carers) are available. These provide an interesting and enjoyable way to access the countryside. Further details are available by telephoning 01978 763145.
A view across the aqueduct from the towpath at Froncysyllte
If you take the A483 south from Wrexham and then the A539 towards Llangollen, when you get to Trevor take the left hand turn sign posted Trevor Basin. The car park is approximately half a mile on the left hand side. From here it is a short walk along the towpath to the Poncysyllte Aqueduct. It rises 126 feet above the river Dee and was built by Thomas Telford. It is possible to take a wheelchair across the aqueduct although the path is narrow and you need a good head for heights, the views from here are dramatic. There is a Radar key operated disabled toilet in the car park.
Llangollen is a small town situated on the banks of the river Dee approximately 12 miles from Wrexham on the A539. It is a bustling vibrant place that amongst other events hosts the International Eisteddfod each July. It has an interesting variety of small shops but access to these is limited. The Cottage Tea Rooms that are near the bridge have level access and serve excellent meals as well as light snacks. There is a disabled toilet in the town's main car park in Market Street.
A Steam Locomotive on Llangollen Railway
The Llangollen Railway station is on the other side of the bridge alongside the river. There is a shop, snack bar and disabled toilet. Access to the train is via a ramp and the friendly staff are on hand if assistance is necessary. Please allow plenty of time before train departure to assist with boarding. It is advisable to book beforehand at peak times tel. 01978 860979. The carriage is spacious with good visibility and has seating for those who are accompanying wheelchair users. The line is 8 miles long and travels through the picturesque Dee Valley to Carrog, where there is a small tearoom and disabled toilet. The railway is run by a trust and all the staff are volunteers.
Boarding the Horse Drawn Boat at Llangollen Wharf
Llangollen Wharf is a short distance from the railway. There is a drop off point at the Wharf which is up a steep incline but no parking, however at the weekend it is possible to park a short distance away at Dinas Bran school. Horse drawn boats operate from here and it is possible to board them via a ramp. The trip lasts 45 minutes and goes along the Llangollen Canal. Please arrive in plenty of time before departure as wheelchair users must board first. There is a disabled toilet but it is very small and wheelchair users might have difficulty.
A view from the top of The Horseshoe Pass
If you take the A542 Ruthin road from the town it will gradually start to rise towards the Horseshoe Pass. It is a very scenic route and from the lay-by at the summit there are stunning views across to the Berwyn Mountains. There is a self service cafe, gift shop and bar called The Ponderosa which has level access.
Wrexham is an ideal base to explore the countryside in this part of North Wales. There is plenty to see and do in and around the area.
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.
The Ramada Plaza Hotel
The Ramada Plaza Hotel is situated on the Western edge of Wrexham and is only I mile from the town centre. It has four accessible rooms (3 non smoking and 1 smoking) all with en-suite wet rooms. There is plenty of designated parking and level access to reception and around the ground floor bar, lounge and dining areas. There are no ground floor bedrooms in the hotel and the accessible rooms are situated on the first and second floors (accessed via a lift).
The wet room
The bedrooms all have double beds with right hand transfer and adjoining twin rooms with interconnecting doors suitable for a carer/carers if required. There is sufficient wheelchair access to the bed and good access and turning space in the en-suite. The shower has a fixed seat and a portable shower chair (not wheeled).
The spa and sauna
All guests have use of the sauna and spa (with hoist and a wheeled shower chair). There is not a wheelchair accessible changing room but further along the corridor from the spa is an accessible toilet (no turning space) which could be used for this purpose. Also adjacent to the spa is a gymnasium however wheelchair users would need to be able to stand or transfer to use the equipment. more info
The hotel is in the process of purchasing a wheelchair for loan and a portable hoist can be arranged with prior request.
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The Wild Pheasant Hotel
The Wild Pheasant is situated just off the A5 (Corwen Road) on the outskirts of Llangollen approximately 12 miles from Wrexham. There is designated parking and level access to reception and around the ground floor restaurant, lounge and bar areas. There is also a good accessible toilet off of the lounge.
The spacious bath/shower room
The accessible suite is spacious with a lounge area as well as a king size bed (right hand transfer or left with prior arrangement) and the en-suite has a corner bath, a level access shower and space to right hand transfer to the toilet.
The kingsize bed in the accessible suite
Guests have use of the pool area and steam room and sauna (N.B. Wheelchair users will need to be able to transfer in the sauna and there is no hoist for the pool however there is access to a changing room and the shower). There is also wheelchair access to the landscaped grounds. more info
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The Shippon at Bryn Halen Mawr
Approximately 22 miles west of Wrexham near the small village of Melin-y-wig (five miles from Corwen) set in peaceful countryside is Bryn Halen Mawr. The Shippon has been sympathetically converted to provide accessible self catering accommodation. There is a designated parking space and ramped access into the cottage.
The Shippon bedroom
The double bedroom has good wheelchair turning space and right hand transfer to the bed. A (4 foot) double bed settee is available in the open plan lounge/kitchen for family members or a carer. Access to the garden and lawn is through the french doors.
The en-suite wet room
The en-suite wet room has wheelchair turning space, a fixed shower seat and there is room to side transfer to the toilet (however please note the angled position of the WC).
Also on site is a beautiful 18th century four bedroomed cottage (sleeping up to 8 people) and wheelchair users can access the ground floor of this. So this might be suitable for larger families and groups with one wheelchair member. It may be possible to provide extra care assistance morning and evenings as well as mobility aids and portable hoist hire with prior arrangement. Friday change overs have recently been introduced to enable a longer season of weekend bookings in addition to weekly hire. more info
10 miles south of Wrexham on the A483 near Oswestry in Shropshire are Moreton Park Lodge and The Lion Quays that both have rooms with wheel-in showers. Please view our Oswestry page for further details.
More detailed access reports of the facilities of each attraction and accommodation are available by e-mail request.