Mid Wales tourist attractions for all abilities

Physical and invisible impairments are no barrier to a great time in this stunning part of the country. Mid Wales' ancient castles, wild nature, dramatic coastlines and cultural attractions are accessible to all. We've outlined some disabled friendly places to visit to get you started. To continue your journey in other parts of Wales check out the links below.

Accessible North Wales attractions

Accessible West Wales attractions

Accessible South Wales attractions

Penrallt Street, Machynlleth, Powys SY20 8AJ

• Galleries accessible to wheelchair users and those with limited mobility
• Wheelchair available on request
• Assistance dogs welcome
• Induction loop in the Tabernacle for those with impaired hearing

Housed in a former Victorian townhouse and Wesleyan chapel, MOMA Machynlleth is a vibrant performance venue and gallery of contemporary Welsh paintings, photography and sculpture. When the building was converted, great care was taken to make it as accessible as possible, with level access to all galleries and an accessible lift between floors. Find out more at the MOMA Machynlleth website.

Rhiw Penglais, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion SY23 3BU

• Accessible parking and main entrance
• Wheelchairs available on request
• Assistance dogs welcome
• Leaflets available in large print and audio form for those with visual impairments

The National Library of Wales, adjacent to Aberystwyth’s prestigious university, has a mind-bogglingly large collection, including rare Welsh manuscripts. It's fully accessible, with four designated parking spaces, automatic main doors, lifts, three accessible toilets, wheelchairs for visitors to use and water provided for assistance dogs. Visit the National Library of Wales website for more information.

Ponterwyd, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion SY23 3AB

• Visitor centre and cafe accessible to wheelchair users and those with limited mobility
• Accessible parking and toilets
• Audio loop in cafe for visitors with impaired hearing
• Wheelchair available on request

Bwlch Nant yr Arian Visitor Centre is one of the best places in Wales to see red kites. These magnificent birds swoop in each afternoon to be fed as part of a long-running conservation programme. The all-ability Barcud Trail leads from the eco-friendly visitor centre to the edge of the lake where feeding takes place. Find out more at the Bwlch Nant yr Arian website.

The Stables, Chapel Street, Brecon LD3 7PE

• Narrowboat has room for two wheelchairs
• Boats are accessible via a lift on the quayside

Dragonfly Cruises offer a leisurely two and a half hour return trip along the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal from Brecon to Brynich in a brightly painted narrowboat with room for two wheelchairs. There’s a wheelchair lift from the quayside and an accessible toilet in Theatr Brycheiniog on the Canal Wharf. For full details, visit the Dragonfly Cruises website.

Rhayader, Powys LD6 5HP

• Visitor centre and cafe accessible to wheelchair users and those with limited mobility

Sitting in the shadow of mighty Caban Coch dam, the Elan Valley Visitor Centre is the perfect start point for exploring this stunning part of Mid Wales. The well-surfaced Cnwch Wood Trail runs in a loop around the Visitor Centre and is suitable for wheelchair users. For a longer adventure there's the Elan Valley Trail, a nine-mile accessible path that follows the route of the old Birmingham Corporation Railway between Cwmdauddwr, just west of Rhayader and the Craig Goch Dam. To learn more go to the Elan Valley website.

About two miles north of Tregaron, Ceredigion, towards Pontrhydfendigaid on the B4343

• Accessible toilets in the main car park
• Fully accessible circular 1 mile (1.5 km) boardwalk route (Cors Caron Walk), access to the boardwalk is 400 metres from the main car park along a fully accessible path (the total distance of the return route is 1.6 miles/2.6 kilometres)
• Accessible bog hide 
• The Old Railway Walk has a firm surface suitable for wheelchairs

Cors Caron National Nature Reserve is in the beautiful River Teifi valley. It covers one of the largest actively growing raised bogs in the lowlands of Britain. The bogs are an important habitat for rare flora and fauna, and you might see soaring red kites, skylarks, curlews, otters, native lizards and colourful dragonflies. The accessible Cors Caron walk showcases the best boggy bits, with an accessible hide along the way with lovely views over the floodplain. The Old Railway walk follows an old railway line along the edge of the reserve, and provides a flat surface for wheelchairs, bikes and buggies. Find out more on the Cors Caron National Nature Reserve website.

3½ miles north west of Builth Wells, Powys

• Accessible boardwalk with seating and wheelchair passing places
• Dogs allowed but must be kept on leads at all times
• Car park

Cors y Llyn ('bog of the lake') is a small reserve not far from Builth Wells. The wildflower meadows and swampy woodland change throughout the seasons, making it an interesting place to visit all year round. Expect to see rare flowers including cuckoo flower and orchids. Damselflies, newts and frogs hang around the lake, and during the winter, birds including woodcock and snipe pay a visit. The Cors y Llyn National Nature Reserve website has more information about visiting.

Welshpool, Powys SY21 8RF

• Accessible parking, toilets and cafe
• Braille guide available
• Map showing accessible routes through gardens available from reception

A few parts of this splendid historic property are not fully accessible to wheelchair users. However, many areas are. There are designated car park spaces next to the coach park. A wheelchair-friendly minibus can carry visitors with limited mobility from the car park to Powis Castle itself and Old Stables, a museum featuring a detailed virtual tour or to the step-free pathway around the lower gardens. There are two manual wheelchairs available to loan. There's also a Braille guide to the castle and you can pre-book guided touch tours of the castle and guided sensory tours of the garden. Visit the Powis Castle website for the latest accessibility information.

The Station, Llanfair Caereinion, Welshpool Powys SY21 0SF

• Stations at both ends of the line are fully accessible
• Wheelchair spaces on trains available with advance booking
• Wheelchairs available
• Accessible parking and toilets at both ends of the line

Puffing between Welshpool and Llanfair Caereinion, the Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway is the perfect way to see the Mid Wales countryside in style. Most services can accommodate wheelchair users (though prior booking is required), while the stations at both ends of the line are fully accessible. Visit the Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway website for further details.

Aberporth, Ceredigion SA43 2JL

• Accessible toilets

Sandwiched between rocky headlands, Tresaith is a small sandy beach accessed via a concrete slipway. It's a popular spot with watersports fans and sunbathers, with an unusual waterfall that tumbles over the cliffs at its north-eastern end. There are public toilets just off the beach.

Ceredigion SY23 2AZ

• Level promenade
• Ramps down to beach

Made of of smooth, dark sand and shingle, Aberystwyth North Beach is one of the best-loved spots in this lively seaside resort. The beach is backed by a long and level promenade perfect for wheelchair users.

Tourism For All: The UK's biggest directory of accessible accommodation and travel

Use PIWS to search for accessible listings.

Find toilets open to the public, including accessible toilets or find a Changing Places toilet. 

Powys Council: Information about accessible outdoor routes, activities, adapted bike hire and accommodation in Powys.