Explore Hay-on-Wye
Known for
The Town of Books (more secondhand bookshops per person than anywhere on earth), the Hay Festival (the world's greatest literary festival), Richard Booth's self-declared Kingdom of Hay, and a small Welsh border town of extraordinary literary significance
A little history
Richard Booth opened Hay's first secondhand bookshop in 1961. By 1977 there were enough books for him to declare Hay an independent kingdom with himself as king. The Hay Festival — founded in 1988 — has grown into the world's most celebrated literary festival, described by Bill Clinton as 'the Woodstock of the mind'.
The bookshops are genuinely extraordinary — plan to spend half a day. The Hay Festival in May-June is unmissable. The Castle bookshop for the unusual experience of buying books in a ruined castle. The Brecon Beacons walking from town.
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Food & drink in Hay-on-Wye
Hay has excellent independent restaurants and cafes for its size. The Festival period brings exceptional food. Local Welsh and Herefordshire produce throughout.
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For businesses in Hay-on-Wye
The bookshops and Hay Festival drive the entire economy. Independent literary and hospitality businesses are the commercial backbone. Festival season transforms the town.
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Frequently asked questions
Hay-on-Wye is a place in Brecon Beacons known for the Town of Books (more secondhand bookshops per person than anywhere on earth), the Hay Festival (the world's greatest literary festival), Richard Booth's self-declared Kingdom of Hay, and a small Welsh border town of extraordinary literary significance. Richard Booth opened Hay's first secondhand bookshop in 1961. The population is around 1,800.
Hay has excellent independent restaurants and cafes for its size. The Festival period brings exceptional food. Local Welsh and Herefordshire produce throughout.
Yes. Roam is a free local discovery app live in Hay-on-Wye and across Brecon Beacons. It is available on iOS and Android.
Local Hay-on-Wye businesses can list on Roam for free in around 90 seconds. Add your business name, address, opening hours and a few photos via the Roam website, and your listing goes live in Roam's discovery feed for users browsing Hay-on-Wye and the wider Brecon Beacons area. There is no subscription fee.
Roam covers Hay-on-Wye and the surrounding area in Brecon Beacons, including Clyro, Glasbury, Talgarth, Three Cocks, Llowes, Painscastle, Whitney-on-Wye and Clifford.
