Pembrokeshire Coast Wheelchair Access: Free All-Terrain Hire & Adaptive Adventures

A coastline built for everyone

The Pembrokeshire Coast is the smallest of the UK’s national parks — and the only one defined mainly by its coastline. It splits into four distinct sections, each with its own personality, backed by hills, estuaries, valleys, and woodlands. It’s also home to more Blue Flag beaches than any other county in the country.

The park’s accessibility programme has quietly become a model for the rest of the UK. Thanks to a fleet of Extreme Motus all-terrain wheelchairs and partner equipment (roll-out trackways, all-terrain rollators, and a mobile hoist), people of all abilities can experience cliffs, beaches, and estuaries that used to be out of reach.

How the Access for All hire scheme works

The all-terrain wheelchairs are hosted by local businesses around the park — seaside cafés, activity providers, and water-sports clubs — so visitors can pick up a chair near the beach or trailhead they want to explore. The fleet covers a range of sizes for adult and younger riders, and all hires are free thanks to donations and grant funding.

The chairs are designed for people who use a wheelchair full-time as well as visitors who simply find it hard to walk on sandy beaches, manage soft trails, or cover the longer distances coastal walking can demand. Demand keeps growing — in 2023 the park’s all-terrain chairs were booked 371 times by 298 people.

From coast path to paddle board

Some of the most creative uses of the Motus on the Pembrokeshire Coast happen in the water, not just next to it. Local inclusive water-sports providers Blue Horizon CiC and Windswept CiC use the Motus to deliver stand-up paddle boarding and surfing sessions for people with mobility challenges. The chair’s polyurethane Wheeleez tires roll across soft sand, then keep the rider stable and dry while the team transfers them onto a board — a step that used to require carrying.

If you want to learn more about the chair’s capabilities in shallow water, we have a separate write-up on that — the short version is that it floats, it’s safe in salt water, and it makes splash days possible for the whole group.

What the park itself offers

Beyond the all-terrain chairs, Pembrokeshire is worth a trip on its own merits:

• Coastline: The 186-mile Pembrokeshire Coast Path takes you past craggy volcanic outcrops in the north and towering limestone cliffs in the south. Its total rise and fall is over 35,000 feet — taller than Everest. With Access for All equipment, families can sample the most scenic sections without the hardcore mileage.
• Wildlife: Seabirds, seals, marine life, and several Special Areas of Conservation. The park’s birdwatching is some of the best in Wales.
• Historic sites: St. Govan’s Chapel tucked into the cliffs, and the neolithic burial chamber at Pentre Ifan are highlights.
• Activities: Hiking, surfing, coasteering, and stargazing — all with adaptive options through the park’s partner network.
• Beach awards: More Blue Flag beaches than any other UK county, plus a long list of Green Coast and Seaside Awards.

How to book and plan your visit

Bookings for the all-terrain wheelchair fleet (including the Motus) go through the park’s free hire portal: beachwheelchairs.simplybook.it. Pickup locations and current availability are listed there.

For the full list of accessible trails, parking, facilities, and partner sites: pembrokeshirecoast.wales/access-for-all. Specific questions can go to beachwheelchairs@pembrokeshire.org.uk.

Frequently asked questions

Is it really free to hire an all-terrain wheelchair on the Pembrokeshire Coast?
Yes. The scheme is funded by donations and grant funding, so all mobility equipment is free to hire. Donations to keep it running are welcomed.

Where do I pick up the chair?
Chairs are hosted by partner businesses around the park — cafés, activity providers, and water-sports clubs. Each booking through the portal shows the pickup location.

Can I use the Motus to go in the water at the beach?
Yes — with a caretaker holding the chair. The Wheeleez tires float, the aluminum frame handles salt water, and the rider should swap the seatbelt for a life jacket.

How far in advance should I book?
For peak summer weekends and school holidays, book as early as you can — demand has grown every year. Mid-week and shoulder-season slots are usually easier.

Do I need an attendant or can I push the chair myself?
The Motus is designed to be pushed by a caretaker on serious off-road and water terrain. Some self-propulsion is possible on flatter ground, but for the Coast Path and beach use plan on having someone with you.

Are there other accessible activities besides the wheelchair hire?
Yes — Blue Horizon CiC and Windswept CiC run adaptive paddle boarding and surfing sessions, and the park lists guided walks and events throughout the year.