There are many reasons why people flock to the Town of Books year after year. Not only is it charming and quaint streets packed with over 20 independent bookshops but with an array of independent eateries, a restored castle, quirky shops and gorgeous countryside walks, there is more than meets the eye.
I feel very grateful to live around 1hrs drive from Hay which makes it a great day trip town for my kids and I and I wanted to share some of our favourite ways we spend a day in and around Hay-on-Wye.
1. Visit the restored Hay CastleSitting in the heart of the town, the castle opened to the public in 2022 after years of restoration & is full of history and folklore waiting to be explored. The lawn, shop & cafe are free to enter, but I do recommend paying to explore the castle, where you can explore from the cellar up to the castle tower which offers amazing views across Hay.
Entry to the full castle is £7.50 for adults & free for under 18’s. The ground floor & cafe is dog friendly & the building is accessible for wheelchair users.
2. Go for a riverside walk along The Warren
Only a short walk from the main town, you will find The Warren, a beautiful riverside meadow with SSI status. It’s popular with locals & its riverside “beach” is a lovely place for a picnic even in autumn. If you enjoy birdwatching and nature spotting, then you will be pleased to hear that kingfishers, otters and rabbits have been seen within the vicinity.If you are looking to connect with nature but be in easy reach of town this is the perfect option and kids will love it.
3. Enjoy the many cafes & pubs in Hay
You will be spoilt for choice as there are some fantastic places to grab a bite to eat. My personal favourites are
*The Granary for a light lunch.
*The Granary for a light lunch.
*The Old Electric Shop for cake and coffee.
* Shepherd's Parlour for locally made Ice Cream.
*The Blue Boar for a pint.
4. Walk to the Witches Pool in Pwll y Wrach Nature Reserve
This is a family favourite for us and we love going for a stroll in this hidden nature reserve around 15mins drive from Hay. The waterfall is always a hit with the kids and often quieter than larger falls in Bannau Brycheiniog National Park. I do recommend going after some rain when the waterfall is at its most impressive. There is a small amount of free parking, and it’s popular with dog walkers.
5. Get on the water.
There are tons of nearby kayak and SUP spots on the River Wye
You do not need a river license to paddle or SUP from below Hay-on-Wye, which makes it a popular spot for those with their own equipment (do this at your own risk). There are lots of local hire companies that can get you on the water. My boys and I have had great times on the River Wye both with local hire companies and also with out own equipment around The Warren. As always, please wear buoyancy aids at all times.
You do not need a river license to paddle or SUP from below Hay-on-Wye, which makes it a popular spot for those with their own equipment (do this at your own risk). There are lots of local hire companies that can get you on the water. My boys and I have had great times on the River Wye both with local hire companies and also with out own equipment around The Warren. As always, please wear buoyancy aids at all times.
Less than 15min drive away from Hay, you will find Bronllys Castle and its mid-12th-century stone keep, which is completely free to explore and offers impressive views from the top of the tower. This tower,, which is maintained by Cadw, has a turbulent history and is well worth a visit. There is free nearby parking in a layby and please supervise children as there are a lot of stairs.
7. Finally, of course, visit the many amazing bookshops
It goes without saying that exploring the many bookshops of Hay is a must! You literally never know what you are going to find and I don’t think I’ve ever visited Hay and left without a book in hand. My favourite ones are the honesty bookshop in the grounds of the castle (free to visit), Murder & Mayhem, Gay on Wye and Richard Booth's Bookshop Cinema.
If you are looking for somewhere unusual and unique to stay that I can also recommend Outdoors@Hay as we stayed in their glamping Yurt a few years ago and it was fantastic. The grounds, facitlies and hosts are lovely and it's within easy walking distance of Hay-on-Wye - you can read my review of our stay here.
Have you visited Hay-on-Wye before? What was your favourite thing to do?
