Why we love Hay-on-Wye
World renowned as ‘The Town of Books’, this small Marches town of Haye-on-Wye is the northernmost point of the Brecon Beacons National Park, standing on the southern side of the River Wye. This unique town sits on the border between England and Wales, making Hay on Wye ideal for visitors exploring the beautiful border country.
Across the River Wye are the northern green hills of Radnorshire, to the south and west lies the glorious range of the Black Mountains, and to the east is the famous Golden Valley, a part of the agricultural farmlands of Herefordshire.
Even though the town has a small population of only 2000, this close-knit community boats an impressive variety of events held all throughout the year, including the weekly market, village steam rallies, art exhibitions as well as the famous Hay Festival which celebrates music and literature.
This charming little town is the hub of culture and entertainment in Herefordshire, and here are just a few of the things you can look forward to experiencing when you visit Hay.
Books, books, books:
In modern days Hay-on-Wye is known throughout the world as ‘The Town of Books’, with an impressive collection of historic bookstores as well being the home to the Hay Festival, which celebrates the towns love of the arts and literature.
The transformation of the town into a go-to dream for literary lovers didn’t happen by coincidence, it was actually begun by Richard Booth in 1961 when he opened the town’s first second-hand bookshop in the town’s old firehouse. After the success of his store many more bookshops began to open in the town, with many specialising in a specific niche.
Nowadays there are a variety of bookshops dedicated to specific books, such as vintage classics, historic tomes, children’s books as well as many more. Hay-on-Wye now has over twenty bookstores, all dedicated to the love of literature and is easily home to some of the best bookshops in the world.
To market, to market:
Hay Market Day has been trading for over 700 years, and is held every Thursday from 9am to 2:30pm drawing over 40 traders to the centre of Hay. There is a diverse range of items including local food and drinks, organic produce, artisan goods as well as vintage crafts and goods, there really is something for everyone vising to enjoy. Locals often say that it is the best day to visit the town, so make sure to go peruse, socialise with the locals, eat and drink and most importantly, enjoy your day in Hay.
The Historic Castle:
When taking a stroll through the historic streets of Way, you’re bound to come across the gateway of the Norman castle which towers over the narrow streets lying beneath its walls. The current castle standing is actually an expansion of the original castle which was erected in 1200 to protect the town, however you can still see the ancient stones of the original walls when visiting the castle as well as the mound it was built upon.
The castle, as well of the town of Hay, have suffered at the hands of Welsh Patriots, English Lords and the reining monarchs throughout the years, with the castle having been sieged, torn down and rebuilt over the years. However the fact that you can still see the castle proudly standing at the backdrop of the town goes to show the impressive workmanship of the medieval builders.
Time to get active:
Along with the deep culture of the city, there is also a large selection of activities which can be enjoyed by adults and families alike. Some of the potential days out include:
Canoeing
Take a canoe down the River Wye and take in the peaceful countryside whilst drifting down the calm lazy river for a few hours.
Black Mountain Adventure
Black Mountain Adventure is a family run outdoor activity centre. They provide lots of activities local to Hay-on-Wye and the Brecon Beacons National Park, such as paddle boarding, hiking and bike riding.
Bryngwyn Riding Centre
Home to wonderful horses and ponies, take part in a hack over the spectacular scenery of the Welsh border. This small family run stable can be found on the Powys/ Hereford border, and will be a fun day out for the family.
Outdoors @ Hay
This small family run business offers a range of accommodation and adventurous activities out in the countryside of Herefordshire.
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