Hay-on-Wye

United_Kingdom

Hay-on-Wye (Y Gelli or Y Gelli Gandryll in Welsh) is a small town with a population of about 1,900 in Mid Wales, on the River Wye, very close to the English border and within the borders of Brecon Beacons National Park.

A "town of books", with at least 41 separate bookshops (mostly second-hand / antiquarian / collectors), Hay-on-Wye is probably best known as the location of a prestigious annual Hay Festival.

Books at the Hay Castle Since 1988, Hay-on-Wye has been the worthy venue for a literary festival which draws over 80,000 bibliophile visitors over 10 days at the end of May / beginning of June, in order to buy books, attend book launches and to see and hear big literary names from all over the world. High profile visitors to the Book Fair have included former US President Bill Clinton.

  • Hay Castle. medieval fortification and 17th-century mansion house

Hay Castle. medieval fortification and 17th-century mansion house

  • Offa's Dyke Path. passes through Hay-on-Wye, presenting the opportunity for a hike, either north or south.

Offa's Dyke Path. passes through Hay-on-Wye, presenting the opportunity for a hike, either north or south.

  • Books, of course! Numerous outlets exist....
  • Clothes. There are a number of independent shops selling clothes and shoes.
  • Music - CDs, second-hand sheet music and books about music from a couple of specialist shops.
  • Antiques;
  • Art and crafts by local artists;
  • Teddy bears and jigsaws.

  • The Old Black Lion, 26 Lion St, Hay-on-Wye, HR3 5AD, +44 844 288 0711.
  • Three Tuns, Broad St, +44 1497 821855.

The Old Black Lion, 26 Lion St, Hay-on-Wye, HR3 5AD, +44 844 288 0711.

Three Tuns, Broad St, +44 1497 821855.

  • Rhydspence Inn, Whitney-On-Wye (A438 between Hereford and Brecon on the Welsh border, +44 1497 831262. 11:00-15:00 & 19:00-23:00. A 14th Century Country Inn situated on the Welsh border of the Wye Valley, the Rhydspence Inn enjoys magnificent views of the Welsh hills and picturesque Herefordshire countryside.
  • The Swan at Hay, Church St (middle of town, opposite the Cinema Bookshop, +44 1497 821188. A cosy hotel in the middle of town that does seriously good food (the chef trained in France). The garden is *the* place to enjoy a drink or bite to eat in the summer - absolutely beautiful.

Rhydspence Inn, Whitney-On-Wye (A438 between Hereford and Brecon on the Welsh border, +44 1497 831262. 11:00-15:00 & 19:00-23:00. A 14th Century Country Inn situated on the Welsh border of the Wye Valley, the Rhydspence Inn enjoys magnificent views of the Welsh hills and picturesque Herefordshire countryside.

The Swan at Hay, Church St (middle of town, opposite the Cinema Bookshop, +44 1497 821188. A cosy hotel in the middle of town that does seriously good food (the chef trained in France). The garden is *the* place to enjoy a drink or bite to eat in the summer - absolutely beautiful.