Holiday: Hay-on-Wye

HOLIDAY TIME

Reach for the stars

Cosy evenings in 2 In Peterchurch, the threebedroom, 17th century Mill Cottage is a 10-minute drive from Hay-on-Wye. It overlooks an ancient hay meadow, and is surrounded by the Black Mountains, Brecon Beacons and Herefordshire trail. It’s a walker’s dream – if you can bear to leave your comfy lodgings!

Sky’s the limit 1 Enjoy fresh country air with a spot of stargazing. Just south of Hayon-Wye lies Hay Bluff –a place of outstanding natural beauty and listed by the Brecon Beacons National Park as one of its top 10 places to see the stars. Overlooking the Wye Valley, its low light-pollution levels allow for hours of peaceful viewing.

6 reasons to visit...

Get cosy in the perfect cottage

Lose yourself in the peace of the Welsh countryside, and soak up the literary and cultural heritage of this ‘town of books’

Browse the bookshops

Novel days out 3 The town of Hay is a treat for second-hand book browsers. After Richard Booth opened his first bookshop in 1961, there came many others, and the Hay Festival of Literature and Arts launched in 1988. At the 10-day event, you can enjoy all things literary and talks by writers from around the world.

Get exploring! 4 From shorter walks following the River Wye, to longer trails in the nearby Brecon Beacons National Park and the Begwyns moorland, there are many established routes, as well as untouched gems. The popular riverside walk has several starting points throughout the village itself.

Check out the country pubs Walk along the River Wye

Cultural hotspot 6 If it’s culture you’re after, look no further than ancient Hay Castle. It dates back as far as the Norman conquest and now incorporates a Jacobean manor house into its medieval structure. Undergoing conservation work at the moment, the grand opening is expected in spring 2020, but you can still see the magnificent structure during your time in the ‘town of books’ and visit the Castle shops in the Backfold lane.

Cosy pubs 5 Inside the many country pubs of Hay-on-Wye you’ll discover open log fires, squishy sofas and great food. Try Kilverts in the heart of Hay, a stylish pub with a beer garden and menu of locally sourced food, or the traditional 16th century inn the Three Tuns for a delicious Sunday lunch. If you’ve taken the dog, head for the Rose & Crown – a traditional pub that welcomes four-legged friends and does a great pint of ale to boot.

Get historical at Hay Castle