The wonders of Wales: Top places to visit and explore

Cymru (Wales) is a land of dramatic mountains, sweeping beaches and crumbling castles - perhaps not the most obvious choice for accessible travel. But look a bit closer and you'll find a country that's as welcoming as it is wild.

Gwynedd: Magical mountains

Home to much of Eryri National Park (Snowdonia), Gwynedd in north Wales is one of the most beautiful places in the world. When I became a wheelchair user, I thought my mountain days were over until I chugged up Yr Wyddfa on the Snowdon Mountain Railway. It takes you all the way up to the summit, where you'll find a ramp, accessible toilet and epic views.

If you haven't had enough of heights, head to Caernarfon Castle, sitting like a sleeping giant on the Menai Strait. Thanks to a glass lift, I wheeled along the battlements where kings once walked. Entry's free for disabled people and their companions. If you're going with family or a group of friends, stay at Glan y Gors in Dinorwig (through Sykes Cottages), a 10-bed cottage with a wet room and self-propelled shower wheelchair. Nearby Llyn Padarn, a vast lake surrounded by mountains and forests, has accessible lakeside trails. Feeling adventurous? Book on to instructor-led kayaking with Padarn Watersports Centre run by Boulder Adventures. I kayaked before becoming a wheelchair user, so paddling across the lake looking out at the mountains was utterly dreamy.

Conwy: On the right path

The Wales Coast Path is the first path in the world to follow the entire length of a country's coastline. My favourite accessible section starts in the charming seaside resort Llanfairfechan, where there's Blue Badge parking, an accessible toilet and a flat concrete path. Look out for oyster catchers and curlews on the sand. The path becomes grassy as you approach the salt marshes but it's accessible for medium-sized all-terrain mobility aids. Ramped hides await at the nature reserve.

Powys: Starry skies

Venture to mid-Wales for more stunning scenery. Home to the Cambrian Mountains in the north and Bannau Brycheiniog (the Brecon Beacons) in the south, Powys is known for its rugged uplands, market towns and some of the darkest skies in the UK, offering unrivalled star gazing. Hafan y Mynydd Shepherd's Hut in Machynlleth tops my bucket list for accessible getaways. Enjoy spectacular panoramic views from the decking while tucked away on a family farm. A height-adjustable wheel-under hob and sink, wet room and profiling bed make this shepherd's hut a rare jewel. Book for March to watch (hug) newborn lambs. Nearby Hafren Forest's Cascades Walk takes around 30 minutes and follows the river along a boardwalk, accessible to most mobility aid users. The car park has accessible toilets and Blue Badge parking. Look out for ospreys and red kites.

Ceredigion: Seaside charm 

One day, I'll invite all my disabled mates for a holiday at the Ty Glyn Davis Trust. Sleeping up to 15 people, the self-catering holiday centre includes a Changing Places bathroom with a tracking hoist and shower bed, alongside other accessible features. The accommodation is a 35-minute drive from the seaside town of Aberystwyth, which has a flat well-surfaced seafront promenade. Take the Aberystwyth Cliff Railway, which now has ramped access and wheelchair compartments in its carriages, up to the cliff-top for views of Aberystwyth, Cardigan Bay and, on a clear day, 26 Welsh mountain peaks.

Pembrokeshire: Marine haven

The UK's first all-maritime national park, Pembrokeshire in south-west Wales has spectacular coastline. Be sure to explore the golden sandy beaches next summer. Lleithyr Farm caravan and camping site is a short distance from Whitesands Beach, one of the best surfing beaches in the country. The campsite has two accessible showers with shower seats, but be sure to take your own shower seat if you're not able to perch. Whitesands Beach offers a beach wheelchair, an accessible toilet and a Changing Places toilet.

Newport: Riverside strolls

Known for its industrial history, Newport in south Wales also has a thriving arts scene, riverside walks and great public transport links. Head to the city centre for a riverside walk, home to perhaps Wales' most accessible Saturday parkrun. Then pop to The Riverfront Theatre and Arts Centre for a coffee overlooking the River Usk, or to catch a play. Newport Wetlands is home to avocet, curlew and bitterns, among other birds. Borrow an all-terrain scooter to explore the paths. The visitor centre has Blue Badge parking and accessible toilets.

Cardiff: City of culture

Cardiff is a capital city bursting with culture and a great choice for a short break. The National Museum Cardiff is one of my favourite (free) places to spend an afternoon, offering something for everyone, from natural history to photography exhibitions. For a bite to eat, head to Cardiff Market, a Victorian indoor market full of fresh local produce and independent stalls. Get the bus to Cardiff Bay to catch extraordinary shows at the Wales Millennium Centre. The centre is part of the Hynt scheme - venues across Wales offer a free carer's ticket for disabled people. Make sure you register for your card before your visit. Post show, go for an accessible walk along Cardiff Bay Barrage, looking out over the Severn Estuary. Or hire a bike from Pedal Power. They have a fleet of adapted trikes and bikes for children and adults with a range of impairments, plus standard bikes for non-disabled friends. For a budget stay, Zip by Premier Inn Cardiff has accessible rooms with wet rooms from £35 a night. For an excursion, visit Dyffryn Gardens (National Trust), in the Vale of Glamorgan, only a 25-minute drive from Cardiff. The Edwardian botanical gardens boast some of the most glorious planting and glasshouses I've seen. Most paths are beautifully accessible and mobility aids are available to borrow.