Anyone who loves looking at collectible books or out-of-print books would also love a trip to the town of books, Hay-on-Wye in Wales. Actually, most of the town is in Wales, but eastern parts of it do reach over into England.
Books are a year-round feature throughout the town, but once a year for 10 days starting at the end of May, Hay-on-Wye hosts the Hay Festival of Literature and the Arts. Hundreds of events take place around the tented festival village highlighting writers, poets, comedians, philosophers, musicians and much more.
Books are a year-round feature throughout the town, but once a year for 10 days starting at the end of May, Hay-on-Wye hosts the Hay Festival of Literature and the Arts. Hundreds of events take place around the tented festival village highlighting writers, poets, comedians, philosophers, musicians and much more.
Hay-on-Wye is small; only about 1500 residents, but at least 30 book shops and plenty of pubs to match.
Hay-on-Wye is worth a visit even without the festival or even the books. The River Wye runs through the county and it borders the Brecon Beacons National Park. The town has 2 castles; the larger of which has been destroyed by fire and wars and rebuilt. The other castle is older, undamaged and hidden next to the church.
My husband and I first discovered Hay-on-Wye while hiking Offa’s Dyke Footpath. It’s a wonderful trail, about 180 miles, that runs mainly along the border of England and Wales. King Offa’s Dyke was built in the late 700’s as an attempt to create a boundary between Mercia and the independent Welsh kingdoms which helped to create a kind of unity among the Welsh peoples.
There are many B&Bs in Hay-on-Wye that cater to hikers and book enthusiasts alike.
