Explore Hay On Wye
Known for
The Hay Festival, over 25 second-hand and specialist bookshops, the castle, the views across the Black Mountains and an atmosphere unlike anywhere else in Britain
A little history
Hay-on-Wye's book trade began with Richard Booth opening his first second-hand bookshop in 1962. In 1977 he famously declared Hay an independent kingdom. The Hay Festival began in 1988
Richard Booth's Bookshop first — it's the original and still the best. The Hay Festival in late May is extraordinary. Come on a weekday if you want the town to yourself.
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Food & drink in Hay On Wye
The food scene serves the literary festival crowd well — several excellent independent cafes and restaurants that get busy during Hay Festival but are worth visiting any time.
Restaurants & cafes
From neighbourhood classics to hidden gems — Roam surfaces the Hay On Wye food spots locals actually love, not just the ones with the biggest marketing budgets.
Bars & nightlife
Craft pubs, independent bars and evening spots across Hay On Wye. Roam tells you what's open, what's on and what's worth the visit.
Independent shops
The local butchers, delis, bakeries and food shops that make Hay On Wye worth exploring on foot. Download Roam and find them near you.
For businesses in Hay On Wye
The town's economy is built around books and tourism. The bookshops themselves are extraordinary businesses — Richard Booth's Bookshop is a cultural institution.
List your Hay On Wye business on Roam and connect with local customers and visitors who are actively exploring Powys. It takes about 90 seconds to go live.
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Frequently asked questions
Hay On Wye is a place in Powys known for the Hay Festival, over 25 second-hand and specialist bookshops, the castle, the views across the Black Mountains and an atmosphere unlike anywhere else in Britain. Hay-on-Wye's book trade began with Richard Booth opening his first second-hand bookshop in 1962. The population is around 1,800.
The food scene serves the literary festival crowd well — several excellent independent cafes and restaurants that get busy during Hay Festival but are worth visiting any time.
Yes. Roam is a free local discovery app live in Hay On Wye and across Powys. 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 Powys area. There is no subscription fee.
Roam covers Hay On Wye and the surrounding area in Powys, including Town Centre, Brecon Road, Lion Street and Broad Street.
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