Travelling to Eisteddfod yr Urdd
Follow the official signs to get to the car parks, if you want to park in the disabled car park, make sure you follow the signs as there are two entrances this year. It is key that drivers follow the dedicated yellow signs and listen to the advice given to ensure that the traffic moves smoothly. Also listen to the transport reports on the radio.
Blue Badge holders
A dedicated parking area is provided for people with disabilities who are blue badge holders. Visitors should follow the appropriate signs to lead them to the Blue Badge car park, and follow the signs to the car park entrance. The badge will need to be displayed in the vehicle. All car parks are free. If you have general accessibility needs but no blue badge, the stewards in the car parks will be able to advise you.
Tickets
You’ll be able to order your tickets at the ticket office on the Maes or online. We offer free companion tickets to the Eisteddfod. When ordering an accessible ticket to the Maes, you will have the opportunity to add a companion ticket for free to your basket. If you order your accessible ticket at the ticket office, a companion ticket can also be claimed there. There is a “loop” system in our ticket office, which offers assistance to people who wear a hearing aid when ordering tickets.
Pabell Piws Tent
At the Eisteddfod’s maes you will find the PIWS Safe Space – a purple tent located on the right-hand side as you enter the Maes through the main entrance. This space has been designed for anyone who needs a moment of calm, whether you’re feeling overwhelmed by the event, need a break, want to rest, or would like to share your accessibility experience on the site.
The PIWS Safe Space is located on the grass opposite the Baby Changing facilities. It offers sensory resources and soft play, workshops, and opportunities to engage with people with lived experience. Nearby, you will also find the inclusive play area, and beyond that, a dedicated quiet space for entertainment. Together, these areas have been created to ensure that the Urdd is truly for everyone.
The pavillions: red, white and green
Competitions will be held in all the pavilions throughout the week. Stewards will always be present in the pavilions and available to help if you need assistance. If you are a wheelchair user, stewards will be able to guide you to a seat that is suitable for you. There will also be a place for your friend to sit with you.
BSL
We will be offering a BSL interpretation service on the Maes throughout the week. If you need the BSL service or any help during the week, you can put in your request to our accessibility officer: ollie@urdd.org or at Pabell Piws.
Assistance Dogs
We welcome Assistance Dogs in all areas of the Maes – this includes Guide Dogs and welfare dogs. If you and your dog need a seat in one of the pavilions, let one of the stewards know at the door and we can guide you to seats that are suitable for you. There is a special area set aside for your dog, in order to have a break and water.
Nant Caredig
Nant Caredig Yurt will offer a quiet space for neurodiverse individuals or anyone else who needs a quiet space to relax, away from the hustle and bustle of the Maes.
Flashing lights
It is likely that there will be use of flashing lights in some competitions / events along the Maes, including the Triban Festival at the end of the week.
Toilets
There are accessible toilets in all of the toilet blocks on the Maes. There is also a high dependency toilet located by the baby changing tent – you will need a ‘radar key’ to gain access here. You can collect a key from the Welcome Centre, Pabell Piws, by asking Ollie our accessibility officer, or one of the stewards. All accessible and high dependency toilets have a sink with running water – note there is no sink or water in the common toilets cubicles, but there are outside the toilets.
Water points
There are several water points around the Maes where you can fill up your bottle, these points are marked on the official map of the Eisteddfod. You are also welcome to fill your bottle in the coffee lounge.
The Campsite
There is one accessible shower in the campsite and two in the caravan park. There is a washing up area with sink and water, and a barbecue here too. The campsite is 50m from the Welcome Centre.
Mobility Scooter
You can hire a mobility scooter from the Byw Bywyd tent. Although scooters and wheelchairs are available to hire for the day, we strongly advise that you contact the company in advance for a discussion, which can be done by calling 01286 830 101.
If you are planning to hire a scooter for the first time this year, you should contact the company for advice and a chat. If you are not experienced in using a scooter, you should choose a slow speed while moving around the site.
Please be considerate of other visitors at all times when using a scooter around the site. The Byw Bywyd stand is open from 09:00–18:00 every day. Visitors can charge their scooter at the stand, even if they did not hire the scooter from Byw Bywyd.
The Maes and disabled visitors
In line with our campaign to improve our accessibility, our aim is to ensure that all areas of the Maes are accessible and suitable for all our visitors. If you need help at any point during the week, please contact Ollie, our accessibility officer on: ollie@urdd.org