National Trust Cymru accessible walks in North Wales

There’s plenty of pram and wheelchair-friendly paths to explore, make sure you check the website to plan your visit and check the access information for each location.

Bodnant Garden, Conwy

Bodnant Garden (Image: National Trust Images/Annapurna Mellor)

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.

https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/wales/bodnant-garden

Chirk Castle, Wrexham

Chirk Castle (Image: National Trust Images/James Dobson)

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).

Read more: Straw bale castle arrives at Chirk Castle ready for summer

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.

https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/wales/chirk-castle

Erddig, Wrexham

Erddig (Image: ©National Trust Images/Arnhel de Serra)

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.

https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/wales/erddig

Gelert’s grave walk, Eryri (Snowdonia)

Beddgelert (Image: National Trust Images/Arnhel de Serra)

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.

https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/wales/craflwyn-and-beddgelert/gelerts-grave-walk

Read more: Chirk Castle's Mindful Meadow developed for community

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.

https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/wales/south-snowdonia/ornamental-lake-walk-dolmelynllyn

Plas Newydd House and Garden, Anglesey

Plas Newydd walks (Image: National Trust Images/Annapurna Mellor)

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 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 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.

https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/wales/plas-newydd-house-and-garden

Penrhyn Castle and Garden, Bangor

Penrhyn Castle and Garden (Image: National Trust Images/Paul Harris)

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.

https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/wales/penrhyn-castle-and-garden