The Bala Lake Railway aims to be as accommodating as possible to all our visitors who have accessibility needs, below is a summary of useful information for visitors with accessibility needs.
Booking and Travel Assistance
Pre-booking is not essential, but it is recommended, our trains only have limited space for wheelchair users and pre-booking enables you to request a wheelchair space in advance. If you have and special needs, please contact us before you travel.
Our Stations
Llanuwchllyn is our principal station at the southern end of the line. Here we have ample parking with step free access to the platform and station building. The car park surface is primarily compacted gravel, which is suitable for most wheelchairs and mobility scooters.
The main station building is a historic structure that was built in an era before accessibility requirements, however the main door is sufficiently wide for most wheelchairs and the interior is step free.
Food and beverages can be brought to your table if requested.
Unfortunately we do not at present have an accessible toilet, the closest available is in Llanuwchllyn village near the Dee river bridge:
The Llanuwchllyn Heritage Centre is located at the far end of the station carpark, approximately 200m/650ft from the station building via the gravel surfaced carpark. The access is step free and the interior has a level concrete floor.
Bala Pen-Y-Bont is our northern terminus, the station is accessed via a short public footpath across a field with a gravel surface, the platform surface is a mix of grass and gravel. Access is step-free however there are no facilities other than a waiting shelter.
Accessible toilets are available in Bala at the Station Road and Plassey Street car parks located in the town approx 15 minutes walk from the station. Full facilities will be provided at our Bala station when the extension has been built.
Llangower station is located approximately half way along the line. There is step free access from the tarmac surfaced carpark to the station platform, although the platform ramp is quite steep. There is an accessible toilet available in the car park.
Please Note: car park is owned by the national park authority and is pay and display with ANPR cameras to monitor vehicles, disabled badge holders are not exempt from the parking charges.
Our Coaches
The coaches are quite small and the roofs are low, so you may not be able to stand fully upright inside. The guards vans all have a space for accommodating wheel chair users, so please use this vehicle when boarding. There are no on train toilets.
Wheelchair Size and Weight Limits
Our adapted carriages can accommodate wheelchairs with the following maximum dimensions:
· Maximum combined weight (wheelchair and users): 250 kg
· Maximum length (including footrests): 1200 mm
· Maximum width: 700 mm
Our boarding ramps also have a maximum weight limit of 250 kg and are suitable for an occupied wheelchair and a helper.
Due to the narrow width of heritage carriages, there is no turning space inside, and wheelchair areas are smaller than those found on mainline trains.
Mobility Scooter Users
For safety reasons, mobility scooters may not be used to board or alight from our trains. Small "Type 2" mobility scooters may be carried on board if folded and stored safely, subject to staff guidance.
Assistance animals
We welcome assistance animals in all carriages and station buildings.
Blind and partially sighted customers
Staff are happy to give assistance with reading menus and delivering food to your seat both on the trains and in the cafes.
Customers with a hearing impairment
Staff are happy to give assistance with giving written information and showing visual aids if necessary. We have clear signage where needed to ensure people know where facilities are based.
Quiet zones
We currently do not have dedicated quiet carriages on our services, but our staff will assist in finding a quieter carriage whenever possible, or a quiet area at one of our stations. This cannot be guaranteed during busy periods.
Allergies and intolerances
Please speak to a member of staff for more information regarding how we can help you, especially regarding our food services.