Hay-on-Wye is one of the most extraordinary small towns in Britain — a tiny, remote market town on the English-Welsh border in the Wye Valley, whose global fame rests on two remarkable foundations: it is the world's first and greatest second-hand book town, and the home of the Hay Festival — one of the world's most prestigious literary and ideas festivals. With a population of just 1,846, it is smaller than many English villages, yet it attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors annually and has been called 'the most interesting small town in Britain'.
The town's identity as a book town was created almost single-handedly by Richard Booth, who began buying and selling second-hand books from the town's castle in the 1960s and eventually stocked so many that Hay became a destination for book lovers worldwide. Today, with around 30 second-hand bookshops in and around the town — including the famous Hay Cinema Bookshop (800,000 books in a converted cinema) and the Honesty Bookshop outside the castle (books on unmanned shelves with a honesty box) — it remains without equal as a destination for bibliophiles.
The Hay Festival, held each May/June over 10 days, brings the world's greatest writers, thinkers, scientists and artists to this tiny town in the Welsh hills. Bill Clinton called it 'the Woodstock of the mind.' Previous speakers have included Salman Rushdie, Margaret Atwood, Hilary Mantel, Barack Obama and Stephen Hawking.
The town sits at the edge of the Brecon Beacons National Park (now Bannau Brycheiniog), with some of the finest walking in Wales on the doorstep. House prices average £268,000. Connectivity is limited — the nearest station is Hereford, 22 miles away.
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Who is Hay-on-Wye Good For?
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VisitBritain- Hay's Second-Hand Bookshops30+ second-hand bookshops in a town of under 2,000 people — from vast emporia to tiny specialist shops. The Hay Cinema Bookshop (800,000 books) and the Honesty Bookshop are the most famous.
- Hay FestivalOne of the world's great literary festivals — held each May/June over 10 days. The world's finest writers, thinkers and scientists gather in this tiny Welsh town. Bill Clinton called it 'the Woodstock of the mind.'
- Hay CastleA Norman castle at the heart of the town, now beautifully restored as a cultural centre with galleries, a café and the legendary outdoor honesty bookshop on its walls. Open year-round.
- Brecon Beacons National ParkHay sits on the northern edge of the Beacons — Pen y Fan, Llangorse Lake, Offa's Dyke Path and the spectacular Gospel Pass are all within easy reach. Some of Wales's finest walking.
- River Wye & CanoeingThe River Wye is one of England and Wales's finest rivers for canoeing and kayaking. Multi-day canoe trips from Hay to Hereford and beyond pass through outstanding unspoilt scenery.
- Offa's Dyke PathThe 177-mile long-distance path following the line of the 8th-century earthwork passes through Hay — some of the finest border country walking in Britain, with dramatic views into England and Wales.
- Llangorse LakeThe largest natural lake in South Wales, just 10 miles from Hay — sailing, windsurfing, birdwatching and the only natural crannog (Iron Age lake dwelling) in Wales.
- Hay-on-Wye MarketA traditional Thursday market in the town centre, selling local produce, crafts and antiques. The busy summer festival markets are a wonderful blend of Welsh culture and international visitors.
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