15 Must-See Attractions and Things to Do in Hay-on-Wye, Wales

May 9, 2024 Mustafa Natalwala 541 Views

Hay-on-Wye, also known as Hay, is a town in the Powy county of Wales. It is popularly known as the Town of Books. Some of the biggest Hay-on-Wye attractions are bookstores. This small town is home to over two dozen bookstores. The town also hosts the Hay Festival, an event entirely dedicated to books, writers, and readers.

You can explore a variety of bookstores when you visit Hay-on-Wye. But, there is more to explore and enjoy than just books. Welsh countryside, grasslands, and small towns surround this town. So you get to enjoy a lot of top things to do in Hay-on-Wye town and around it.

Hay-on-Wye developed as a market town on the banks of River Wye. It sits close to the border between England and Wales. The town is one of the most important spots on King Offa’s path. Some of the places to visit in Hay-on-Wye are an integral part of Welsh history. The town is home to two major Norman castles: Hay Castle and Login Brook. These are among the few historical things to see in Hay-on-Wye. The other historical sites are located outside the town.

The other aspect of Hay-on-Wye sightseeing revolves around exploring the local culture. Aside from bibliophilia, the town is also popular for its markets. The town hosts different markets between Thursday and Sunday. You will find a variety of local goods from food products to handicraft items. The other Hay-on-Wye tourist attractions to explore include local artisan shops and galleries.

However, there is much to explore around the town. The surrounding region is popular for adventure activities to do in Hay-on-Wye. You can enjoy hiking trails through forests, grasslands, hills, and rocky terrains. Along these paths, you can also explore caves, waterfalls, and gorges. Some of the trails also take you to historical places to visit near Hay-on-Wye. You can also go for kayaking, paragliding, canoeing, and horseriding around the town.

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Table of Contents

Top 15 Tourist Places to Visit in Hay-on-Wye, Wales

1. Bookshops in Hay-on-Wye

The bookshops and libraries are among the most popular Hay-on-Wye attractions. You will get to see all sorts of bookstores in the town: antique, themed, quirky, rustic, colourful and so on.

Some of the stores house a wide variety of books, while others are dedicated to a particular genre. The top bookstores to visit in Hay-on-Wye include The Literature Laboratory, Murder & Mayhem, Francis Edwards, Tangled Parrot, Addyman Books, Richard Booth’s Bookshop, Mostly Maps, and Hay Cinema Bookshop.

You can spend time exploring the stores and their collections. People can also read and buy books from these stores when they travel to Hay-on-Wye. You will need at least 30 to 45 minutes to explore any of them.

2. Hay Festival

This is one of the biggest festivals in the world dedicated to books, writers, and readers. It celebrates all aspects of literary culture around the world. The festival is held a little outside the city and is one of the top attractions near Hay-on-Wye.

The festival brings authors, publishers, book collectors, and literary personalities from around the world. In recent years, the festival also welcomed actors and filmmakers who worked on films based on books. You can easily dedicate an entire day to this event if your Hay-on-Wye travel coincides with the festival dates.

3. River Wye

This river is the hotspot for outdoor activities in Hay-on-Wye. You can enjoy hiking and cycling trails along the banks of this river. There are also several swimming spots in the river where you can enjoy a nice splash.

However, the most popular activities in Hay-on-Wye revolve around boats. You can explore river Wye through kayaking, canoeing, and paddleboarding. There are several spots along the banks where you can get tours and lessons for these activities.

Some of these venues also have cafes to enjoy nice snacks and beverages with a breathtaking view of the river. These are some of the most blissful places to visit in Hay-on-Wye. You can easily spend a couple of hours enjoying fun activities along the river.

4. Hay Thursday Market

This market is held every Thursday from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. It hosts more than 40 vendors selling a variety of things. It is a major highlight of Hay-on-Wye sightseeing to experience local culture. You will find fresh produce, local food products, bakery goods, handicraft items, local natural products, artisan crafts, and so on.

The market is also one of the best places to go in Hay-on-Wye for street food and local dishes. Aside from Thursday, local markets are also held on Saturdays in Cheese Market Hall & Butter Market Hall. You can also explore the Flea market on Friday.

5. The Warren at Hay

This riverside meadow is one of the finest places for outdoor activities in Hay-on-Wye. You can enjoy several acres of pristine grasslands. The meadow has light forests on the corners where you can enjoy hiking, wildlife spotting, and other fun things to do near Hay-on-Wye.

The river shallows near the meadows give you a perfect spot for making a splash. You can also spot a variety of small animals and birds by the river. People can spend a nice evening walking, exploring, swimming, and relaxing at this place.

6. Hay Bluff Paragliding

This is one of the top things to do in Hay-on-Wye for thrill seekers and adventurers. The tandem paragliding flight takes you soaring over the mountains and valleys of the Brecon Beacons.

Alongside the breathtaking views, you get to enjoy the thrill of flying against the winds. But once you are high enough, you get to experience the calming tranquillity of floating light as a feather. It is one of the best activities to do in Hay-on-Wye. You will need about an hour for this experience.

7. Brecon Beacons National Park

This national park is known as the Waterfall Country. The lush forested area has many flowing streams that break into waterfalls and pools. It is among the best places to visit near Hay-on-Wye for hiking.

The entire valley is full of breathtaking sceneries, some of which look almost ethereal. The walking trails lead you to high viewpoints and cascading waterfalls. The most popular among these is the Talybont Waterfall. You can easily spend a few hours enjoying the natural beauty of this glacial valley.

8. Hay Castle

A local legend says that this castle was built by a woman named Mathilda in just one day. She is said to be a giantess married to Willaim de Braose. It is one of the best things to see in Hay-on-Wye for those interested in history.

The castle was home to several noble families and rulers of the region. It now hosts several events and art exhibitions. You can take guided tours of the castle between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

This tour covers the history of the castle, local legends, artifacts, artworks, and more. You will need at least an hour or so to tour the castle when you visit Hay-on-Wye.

9. Arthur’s Stone

This 5000-year-old Neolithic tomb is one of the most important prehistoric monuments of Wales. This tomb is associated with the legend of King Arthur. It is said that the legendary king slayed a giant who fell and left an impression of its elbow on one of the stones. It is one of the most fascinating Hay-on-Wye tourist attractions. You should take a few minutes to admire this monument and enjoy the legendary tales associated with it.

10. Herefordshire Distillery

Black Mountains Botanicals is a distillery in Herefordshire that makes fine gin. The distillery is known for its distinct native flavours. It is also the venue for one of the best things to do around Hay-on-Wye.

The distillery offers a variety of gin cocktails made from their spirits. You can tour the distillery and taste a variety of their gins. They also offer a gin-making experience. You can see how the signature gin is made and even make your own unique version. It’s one of the most interesting places to visit near Hay-on-Wye. You will need about 2 hours to enjoy the tour of this distillery.

11. Brobury House Gardens

These gardens are among the most tranquil Hay-on-Wye attractions. The mansion and garden grounds were developed during the 1880s. It is known for its charming gardens, water features, flower gardens, and Victorian decor.

The gardens are also home to a charming cafe that serves beverages and baked goods. It’s delightful to enjoy some leisurely minutes sipping tea with the view of a colourful garden. You can easily spend a couple of hours just roaming around in this place.

12. Snodhill Castle

The ruins of this castle were uncovered in 2017. The castle is estimated to be more than 900 years old. This makes it one of the earliest castles in the UK. The exact origins of the castle are still unknown. This mystery makes it one of the most interesting attractions near Hay-on-Wye.

The castle is mostly in ruins. You can explore the archeological site spread over 10 acres and learn about its history and architecture. The walking tour is about 30 to 45 minutes long. Then you can spend some time exploring the castle site.

13. Golden Valley

This beautiful natural landscape sits between the Dore and Monnow River valleys. The grasslands are spread over several small hills with a few patches of forest on the brims. You can see almost the entire valley if you climb up the peak of the Cat’s Back hill. It is one of the most beautiful things to see near Hay-on-Wye.

Alongside the wilderness, the valley is home to small villages, farmlands, old churches, and historical sites. You can explore several hiking trails in this valley. Each of them includes some fun things to do near Hay-on-Wye. You can easily spend a couple of hours exploring this valley.

14. King Offa’s Path

This trail stretches for about 285 km and is named after the Dyke King Offa. He ordered the construction of defensive structures in the 8th century along this path. The purpose was to separate and protect his Kingdom of Mercia from rivals.

It was one of the most daring endeavours of the time and an important milestone in the history of Wales. The path is divided into several segments and many of the places to visit in Hay-on-Wye are part of it. You can also explore the segment between Pandy and Kington when you visit Hay-on-Wye. You will need a couple of hours to hike a part of this path.

15. Outdoor Activities to do around Hay-on-Wye

The landscape around Hay-on-Wye opens doors for a variety of adventure activities. We have written significantly about the hiking areas. But there are a lot of other fun things to do near Hay-on-Wye.

You can explore the countryside and grassland on a bicycle. There are also rocky terrains, caves, and gorges to explore. You can also explore the places to visit near Hay-on-Wye on horseback.

And finally, you have the water activities in River Wye. You can enjoy paddle boating, kayaking, and canoeing. You can enjoy these activities in calm waters as well as the rapids. You should take some time to enjoy the thrill and serenity of the natural landscapes when travelling to Hay-on-Wye.

If you are looking to add more destinations and activities to Hay on Wye sightseeing, check out the sections below. We have compiled a complete list of attractions in the town and around it.

Things to do in Hay-on-Wye, Wales

Monuments, Museums & Historical Places to Visit in Hay-on-Wye, Wales

Hay Castle
Lion Street Gallery
Bluestone Gallery
The Haymaker Gallery
Abergavenny Museum
Llys a Chastell Tower
Brecon Cathedral
British Camp Hill Fort
Longtown Castle
Clifford Castle
Snodhill Castle
Arthur’s Stone

Nature & Wildlife Tourist Spots in Hay-on-Wye, Wales

Pen y Fan
Golden Valley
Brecon Beacons National Park
The Warren at Hay
River Wye

Entertainment & Leisure Tourist Spots in Hay-on-Wye, Wales

Richard Booth’s Bookshop
Hay Distillery
Eirian Glass Studio
Hay Cinema Bookshop
Murder & Mayhem Bookshop
Herefordshire Distillery
he Literature Laboratory
Francis Edwards
Tangled Parrot
Addyman Books
Mostly Maps

Shopping in Hay-on-Wye, Wales

Hay on Wye Thursday Market
Cheese Market Hall
Butter Market Hall

Offbeat Places, Tours, & Adventures in Hay-on-Wye, Wales

Hiking
Horse Riding
Kayaking
Cave Exploration
Canoeing
Swimming
Paragliding

Food, Dining, Restaurants, & Street Food in Hay-on-Wye, Wales

Burger Me
Drovers Rest Farm Kitchen
Tomatitos Tapas Bar
The Rhyspence Inn
Three Tuns
The Boat Inn
Chapters
The Globe
The Granary
The Bull’s Head
Red Indigo
Foyles of Glasbury
The Salad Project
The Pandy Inn
Origin Pizza
The Mill
Off Grid Gourmet

Where to Stay in Hay-on-Wye?

Here we have listed Top Rated Hotels in Hay-on-Wye. You can check below listed hotels for your perfect stay in Hay-on-Wye.

How to Reach Hay-on-Wye, Wales?

By Air

The Cardiff Airport is the nearest one to Hay-on-Wye. Cardiff is about 78 km away from the town. The other close airports include Bristol (82 km), Birmingham (105 km), and Manchester (157 km). If you are planning to visit Hay-on-Wye from any of these airports, you will have to make two travel changes. First would be a train to Hereford and then a journey by road.

By Road

Hereford is the closest train station to reach Hay-on-Wye. This station is connected to two railway routes: Great Western Railway and West Midlands Railway. So you can reach this station from several cities and towns in the UK.

Once you reach Hereford, you have three options: bus, rental car, and cab. Among these, taking a bus is the most affordable one. If you are planning to visit Hay-on-Wye by road, you should head for routes: B4351, B4348, or B4350. You can head to A438 and transit to B4351 to reach the town. That’s the most direct route.

By Water

There are no direct water routes to reach Hay-on-Wye.

Image Reference

Bookshops in Hay on Wye – Simon Harrod / Flickr
Hay Festival – Cory Doctorow / Flickr
River Wye – Martin de Lusenet / Flickr
Hay Thursday Market –
The Warren at Hay –
Hay Bluff Paragliding – 🌸♡💙♡🌸 Julita 🌸♡💙♡🌸 / PixaBay
Brecon Beacons National Park – Phil Dolby / Flickr
Hay Castle – Glenn Strong / Flickr
Arthur’s Stone – tpholland / Flickr
Herefordshire Distillery –
Brobury House Gardens – gordonplant / Flickr
Snodhill Castle – Fabian Musto / Geograph.org.uk
Golden Valley – jamz.gosoco / Flickr
King Offa’s Path – Jeremy Bolwell / Geograph.org.uk
Outdoor Activities to do around Hay on Wye – Claire Cox / Flickr