Pembrokeshire Coast National Park is known worldwide for its award-winning beaches; 186 mile stretch of Coast Path and beautiful landscapes. Many of which, we having access to, take for granted.

With lockdown restrictions recently lifted across Wales, people are now able to travel further afield, to local beauty spots and meet friends outdoors. However, visiting some of these areas may still prove complicated for those who have access issues due to disabilities or health challenges.

Pembrokeshire Coast National Park is supporting improved visitor access with the loan or hire of 14 beach wheelchairs which are specially designed and manufactured to be used on some of the National Park’s iconic sandy beaches this summer season.

The project, managed by the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority and funded by Welsh Government, allows people to pre-book their beach wheelchair through an online booking system here, meaning a reserved chair will be available when they arrive at their chosen beach.

The National Park Authority’s new Beach Wheelchair and Outdoor Access Coordinator, Sarah Beauclerk, said,

“With many of us having spent a large proportion of time shielding indoors over the pandemic, it is more important than ever that we find ways to support access to the National Park’s stunning beaches. Especially as we now know that spending time immersed in nature can lead to better physical and psychological wellbeing.

We now have 14 beach wheelchairs available across the Pembrokeshire Coast, which will allow many people, with conditions affecting their mobility, to experience a visit to the beach right up to the shoreline. There is comprehensive safety information and guidelines on the booking site that people can read prior to booking to ensure they will be able to use and operate the chair safely.

The beach wheelchairs support the National Park Authority’s ‘access for all’ objectives. Their availability for this season would not have been possible without the involvement of the local businesses and community groups who have shown immense generosity by hosting a beach wheelchair for the summer season.”

Covid-19 safety measures are also incorporated into the booking system, which has been created to support the beach wheelchair hosts, like beach-side cafes who anticipate being particularly busy in the summer. A beach wheelchair booking confirmation requires only a ticket and a valid form of identification.

Standard-sized beach wheelchairs, and a small number of children’s sizes are available, including two that were recently donated to Tenby beaches by the Tenby Aces Cycling Club and the Enhancing Pembrokeshire Fund. Beach wheelchairs will be available in over ten of Pembrokeshire’s accessible beaches.

Please note that details may be subject to change –

More information about beach wheelchairs, booking costs and their locations can be found on the booking site found here. For more information about the beach wheelchair project, please email the Beach Wheelchair Coordinator Sarah Beauclerk on sarahb@pembrokeshirecoast.org.uk.