Last Updated: 12 February 2026

Georgina and I recently set off on a little North Wales road trip. While it was only a few days, it packed in everything we love, good food, historic castles, beautiful views, and some lovely little surprises along the way. We had Georgina’s wheelchair with us, so we made sure the places we visited were as accessible as possible (though, as always, there were a few bumpy paths and steep slopes to navigate!).

We based ourselves at Ixora Hotel & Spa, tucked away in the peaceful village of Dolgarrog. If you’ve never heard of it, it’s this quiet, scenic spot that turned out to be the perfect central location for getting around North Wales. Cosy rooms, friendly service, and a spa to come back to after a long day of adventuring, exactly what we needed.

First stop: Gwyrch Castle

On the way to the hotel, we stopped off at Gwrych Castle, yes, that Gwrych Castle from I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! It’s perched on a hill with sweeping views over the coast, and even in the drizzle, it looked properly majestic. We didn’t do a full tour (the rain had other ideas), but even from the grounds it’s a spectacular sight. A bit of a climb up and not the easiest terrain for wheels, but we managed short distances with Georgina’s power chair.

Llandudno and Lunch at Dylan’s

From there, we headed to Llandudno, one of those places you’ve heard of a hundred times and finally get to tick off the list. We had a wander down the promenade and stopped by Llandudno Pier, though the weather turned typically Welsh, so we skipped walking the full pier and hunted down somewhere warm instead.

Enter Dylan’s Llandudno, and honestly, what a find. This place is a must. Stylish, chilled-out, and serving up proper good. Dylan’s has restaurants dotted around North Wales (Menai Bridge, Criccieth, Conwy, and Barmouth), and if they’re anything like the Llandudno one, we’re planning a Dylan’s tour next time.

Castles, Conwy, and (a bit of a fail)

Next on our route was Conwy, and we were on a bit of a mission to find the Dylan’s General Store. Safe to say, we did not succeed. But the silver lining? We got to explore Conwy Castle and stumbled across the oldest house in Great Britain (yes, really!). The castle is amazing and mostly accessible around the outer areas, inside’s a bit trickier with stairs and stonework, but still worth seeing.

The Old Ship, Trefriw – Bring an Appetite

Now, The Old Ship in Trefriw. Where do we even begin? We both ordered half a lamb shoulder each. Big mistake. Should’ve shared one. These portions are not for the faint-hearted, but oh my god, was it delicious. Comfort food heaven, and the kind of pub you instantly feel welcome in. We’d 100% go back, just maybe with a plan to nap afterwards.

A Stroll (Sort Of) to Aber Falls

Aber Falls was next, and this one comes with a little accessibility note. It’s technically doable with a power chair, but the final stretch to the actual waterfall gets very rocky, think chunky, uneven terrain that’s just not designed for wheels. That said, the walk-up to that point is beautiful, and you still get some stunning views without going all the way.

Bodnant Gardens and Beautiful Betws-y-Coed

We spent a blissful afternoon at Bodnant Gardens, run by the National Trust. If you’re into your flowers, trees, and just generally wandering about in peaceful surroundings, this place is a dream. Lots of accessible paths and thoughtful planning, so it felt really inclusive.

Then there was Betws-y-Coed, a picture-perfect village that’s straight out of a postcard. It’s nestled among trees, rivers, little bridges, the kind of place you drive into and immediately say “we have to stay here next time.” And we will.

Final Meal at The Groes Inn

Our final stop before heading home was The Groes Inn, and honestly, it couldn’t have been a better send-off. The menu is packed with hearty, locally sourced dishes. We sat outside in their beer garden, soaking up the last bit of sunshine with great food and even better views. Whether you pop in for a pint or stay overnight, it’s absolutely worth adding to your list.

Until Next Time, North Wales…

This mini road trip was everything we needed, relaxed, full of character, and with some truly unforgettable food. North Wales is packed with hidden gems, and it’s surprisingly easy to plan a route that works well for accessibility, too. We’ve already got ideas for round two, but for now, our hearts (and stomachs) are very full.

Let me know if you’ve been to any of these spots or if you’ve got North Wales favourites we should check out next time!