How To Spend A Weekend In Hay On Wye

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The book-loving city of Hay on Wye is greater than only a cowl story. With quirky unbiased retailers, beautiful pure surroundings, medieval ruins and outside pursuits, this Welsh charmer is an actual page-turner.

Nestled on the banks of the River Wye and surrounded by the undulating countryside of the Brecon Beacons Nationwide Park, Hay on Wye is a small Welsh city with its identification firmly established in books. However dig a bit of deeper and also you’ll quickly discover a assortment of attention-grabbing issues to do in Hay on Wye past its internationally acclaimed literary credentials.

Distinctly devoid of twee, not likely posh and much from grungy, the vibe in Hay on Wye is assured, relaxed and easy-going. The annual Hay Pageant might draw the crowds, however the charming river-side city has its personal attract any time of yr.

Outdoors the city, climbing trails vary from tranquil river strolls to punishing mountainous climbs. The meandering river is excellent for a scenic paddle and nation lanes and hilltop roads present a myriad of biking choices or breathtaking views.

Listed here are our favorite issues to do in Hay on Wye for a day journey or a soothing weekend away within the UK.

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1 – WANDER AROUND HAY’S BOOKSHOPS

The very first thing to do in Hay on Wye is to find what put this pint-sized Welsh vacation spot on the map – its love affair with books. Coming from London, sadly bereft of unbiased bookshops, stepping on to the streets of Hay on Wye is a sensory immersion in retail nirvana.

For anybody who will get their highs from looking by means of attention-grabbing and quirky bookshops, Hay on Wye has sufficient to fulfill even the deepest dependancy. With a deal with uncommon antiquarian books, there are numerous surprises to be discovered on the cabinets. 

Richard Sales space’s Bookshop, the most important second-hand bookstore in Europe, is unfold over a 3-floor emporium.  The proprietor is credited with beginning Hay on Wye’s guide craze and his retailer is the very best place to absorb the book-loving vibe. The Poetry Bookshop is the one second-hand guide store within the UK dedicated to poetry and Homicide & Mayhem covers detective fiction, true crime and horror.

2 – EXPLORE THE INDEPENDENT SHOPS IN HAY

There’s an understated cool vibe in Hay on Wye that extends past the cabinets lined with uncommon and attention-grabbing tomes. It appears like a city that is aware of what it’s all about; the unbiased retailers are the primary glimpse of a confident vacation spot.

Neither hippy nor posh and with out an exaggerated deal with design, the retailers in Hay on Wye usually are not about making daring assertion. They’re quirky and attention-grabbing, however nonetheless pleasant and welcoming.  

Bain and Murrin’s is an emporium filled with distinctive garments, sneakers, equipment and normal stuff from folks with a watch for retail. Largely Maps is an internet and retail enterprise specialising in positive, uncommon and weird vintage maps. The vinyl revival is alive and kicking within the brilliant purple Haystacks Music. 

3 – PICK A HIKE IN THE BEAUTIFUL WYE VALLEY

Located within the undulating countryside of Southern Wales beside the idyllic Wye River, a weekend in Hay on Wye is the perfect alternative to stretch out past the bounds of this charming market city and discover the Wye Valley.

STROLL ALONG THE RIVER ON THE WYE VALLEY WALK

The Wye Valley stroll is a 136-mile path that follows the River Wye over 12 days. Nevertheless, you’ll be able to simply decide off a small part of the hike to understand the attractive surroundings on this a part of Wales with a stroll alongside the river.

The Rail Path Round stroll is a 3.4-kilometre loop from the centre of city that ambles alongside the banks of the river, utilising an deserted railway tunnel and monitor. Leaving from St Mary’s church, the stroll passes Norman ruins, the attractive Warren (extra on that later) and several other massive grassy clearings by the river that are perfect for a picnic. It’s a comparatively flat path which ought to take round an hour to finish.

HEAD TO THE BLACK MOUNTAINS ON OFFA’S DYKE PATH

In the event you’ve acquired a bit extra vitality, climb as much as Hay Bluff by way of Offa’s Dyke Path – a shocking mountainous climbing path that follows the contours of the Black Mountains whereas crisscrossing the border between England and Wales.

The trail begins from simply south of Hay on Wye and climbs for round 7 or 8 kilometres to achieve Hay Bluff. From right here, nice views lengthen throughout to the Black Mountains. You’ll be able to both head again the best way you got here or proceed alongside the magnificent ridge behind the bluff.

4 – TAKE A PADDLE TO THE WYE RIVER

The Wye River stretches for 215 kilometres making a meandering border between England and Wales and round Hay on Wye it’s idyllic. Lush inexperienced timber encompass the huge river which ambles by means of farmland beneath imposing mountains. The easiest way to see it’s on a canoe.

From the village of Glasbury, it takes 2 to three hours to paddle right down to Hay on Wye. It’s a stupendous a part of the river and, heading downstream you barely must paddle in any respect.  A number of mini rapids alongside the course present the faintest rush of adrenaline for inexperienced canoers. You probably have a full day to spare, you’ll be able to go all the best way to Witney on Wye  

Wye Valley Canoes in Glasbury rents out canoes or kayaks for half or a full day, with decide up from Hay on Wye or Witney on Wye included. For a barely longer journey, Celtic Canoes organises 2- or 3-day canoe journeys the place you may make all of it the best way from Glasbury to Hereford tenting by the river on the best way.

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5 – SWIM AT THE WARREN

In case your go to to Hay on Wye coincides with some good climate, the Warren is a small rocky seashore on the banks of the Wye River which is ideal for wild swimming. Past the seashore, a small grassy space is a good spot to have a picnic or kick a ball round for a lazy afternoon.

There are a few other ways to get to the Warren from Hay on Wye. Firstly, you’ll be able to stroll from St Mary’s church. It’s a stunning 20-minute stroll with glimpses of the river showing between the dense foliage of the timber lining the water.

The opposite choice is to gather the Warren on a canoe journey from Glasbury to Hay on Wye. The seashore seems round 2 hours after leaving from Glasbury (about 20 minutes earlier than you get to Hay on Wye). As you’ll most likely be a bit moist from the canoe, it’s a great time to go for a swim anyway. A water-proof drum is offered by Wye Valley Canoes to retailer towels, picnic provides and some other stuff.

The Warren, Hay on Wye

6 – CYCLE VILLAGES AND MOUNTAINS

Dissecting the attractive mountainous surroundings within the space, quite a few bike trails present an amazing alternative to get outdoor. It’s an exquisite factor to do in Hay on Wye for the train alone, however there’s additionally a lot to see alongside the best way.

To discover the sleep villages of the world, a 24-mile circuit leaves from the city and takes the again roads over quiet nation roads. With stops for photograph alternatives alongside the best way, this could take round 2-4 hours. In the event you add an additional 38 miles and lengthen the time to a full day, you too can cowl the lovable black and white villages of Herefordshire.

In the event you’re actually ready to work the legs, take a 30-mile cycle into the mountains for unimaginable views of the Black Mountains scarp. Permit 5 to six hours and many arduous work. The pleasant folks at Drover Cycles will be capable to package you out with a motorcycle and supply particulars on the very best routes within the space.

Cycling in Hay on Wye

7 – DEVOUR THE HAY ON WYE FOOD SCENE

Whereas the city could also be steeped in literature, there’s no fiction to the tales of fabulous domestically sourced meals radiating from Hay on Wye. Whereas the Hay on Wye literary pageant brings worldwide guests who’re searching for first rate grub, any time of yr you’ll discover nice consuming choices within the city.

The Electrical Café within the Outdated Electrical Store serves up glorious vegetarian meals from a small each day menu. The Chinese language buddha bowl and the home made tagine had been each scrumptious. The cake and low each allow them to down, so head over to the Globe at Hay the place we discovered (surprisingly) significantly better espresso. It’s additionally an amazing place to take a seat exterior of their backyard and revel in a drink.

On the different finish of the consuming spectrum, Chapters does a really fairly priced seasonal set menu Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings. We had been notably impressed with the very artistic vegetarian menu.  Simply exterior Hay on Wye, in Glasbury, the River Inn Café (the café hooked up to Wye Valley Canoes) does tasty lunches on their deck overlooking the river.

In case your go to to Hay on Wye coincides with the superb cheese market on Thursdays, seize a pastry on the fly from the pop-up stall from Kate’s Bakery.

8 – DRIVE UP GOSPEL PASS TO HAY BLUFF

If climbing as much as Hay Bluff appears like it is going to take extra time and vitality than you’re keen to expend, the scenic drive up by way of Gospel Go will get you to the bottom of the bluff with none of the hassle. It’s additionally a shocking drive.

The street to Gospel Go follows the lengthy, slender, steep-sided Ewyas Valley with beautiful views over the rolling nation on one aspect and the Black Mountains on the opposite. The one-track street is the best in Wales and one of the vital scenic issues to do in Hay on Wye.

When you arrive on the high of the cross (the Hay Go automobile park) there are numerous quick walks you are able to do to discover the world, together with a 9.2-kilometre loop as much as Hay Bluff. Alternatively, you’re free to roam across the unusually bobbly grassy space taking in probably the greatest views in Wales.

When you’ve completed exploring the world proceed to the Llanthony Priory. 

9 – HAVE AN AFTERNOON PINT AT LLANTHONY PRIORY

Only a 20-minute drive from the Hay Bluff automobile park, the ruins of Llanthony Priory are one of the vital atmospheric issues to do close to Hay on Wye. The priory dates again to 1100 however the ruins you see at present are from the ultimate rebuild within the 13th century.

Henry VIII disbanded the monastery in 1538 as a part of the Dissolution of the Monasteries whereby non secular buildings had been appropriated by the crown as considered one of his preliminary acts following the separation of English and Welsh church buildings from the management of the Pope. Henry VIII finally offered the priory for £160 and, following subsequent house owners, it was finally left to decay.  

Its present state creates a totally atmospheric expertise with the previous ruins set in a distant valley within the Black Mountains. Velvety inexperienced grass frames the ruins that are backed by beautiful views. Seize a pint from the resort, remarkably constructed proper inside the abbey, and revel in one of the vital scenic drinks in Wales. 

WHERE TO STAY IN HAY ON WYE

With the Hay Pageant a world occasion attracting massive vacationer numbers yearly, there are extra lodging selections in Hay on Wye than you’ll normally count on for a city of its dimension. Take into account, nonetheless, that lodging can guide out early over the pageant, so guide properly upfront. Listed here are some strategies for an amazing keep in Hay on Wye.

HAY ON WYE

THE SWAN AT HAY

Take in the glamour of this Georgian constructing with elegant individually designed rooms, a great deal of fashion and a high location close to the centre of city. There’s two bars to select from and the relaxed bistro overlooks the beautiful backyard and patio


HEARTY & HOMELY

RADNOR HOUSE

Whereas this historic townhouse is bursting with rustic attraction, it’s the pleasant hosts who make the expertise. Don’t go previous the complete scrumptious cooked breakfast.


CLASSIC PUB

OLD BLACK LION

An oldie however a goodie. Keep in historically styled rooms on this charming inn with a wooden-beamed bar. Centrally situated in Hay on Wye and serving good meals.

BEST TIME TO GO TO HAY ON WYE

Hay on Wye and the surroundings that surrounds it has one thing to supply at any time of yr. Between June and August the climate is at its greatest, the city will likely be buzzing and the countryside a lush shade of inexperienced. From September to November vacationer numbers and lodging charges begin to cool off with the climate.

Over winter there will likely be a crisp chill within the air and the encircling mountains is likely to be frosted with snow – beautiful situations for a contemporary wintery stroll. The city can even be a lot quieter.

The biking and canoeing can be found any time of yr though the Wye River will likely be a bit of extra refreshing over winter and there could also be snow on the hills.

HAY FESTIVAL

The annual Hay Pageant is what attracts crowds to this in any other case sleepy Welsh city. The pageant runs for 10 days from the tip of Might to the beginning of June, the place worldwide authors descend in town to ship talks. There’s additionally dwell music, quick movies and stuff for youths. The pageant has turn out to be so widespread it has branched out to worldwide venues together with Mexico, Spain, Croatia, Peru and Abu Dhabi.

Visiting Hay on Wye throughout the pageant is a good factor to do, however it will get very busy so lodging must be booked properly upfront. Luckily, in any respect different instances of the yr, there’s a lot to do in Hay on Wye.

Things to do in Hay on Wye

HOW TO GET TO HAY ON WYE

There’s no practice station in Hay on Wye so getting there by way of public transport includes catching a practice to Hereford which is 22 miles away. From Hereford, bus companies run 5 instances a day from Monday to Saturday. There are not any bus companies on Sunday.

Over the Hay Pageant there’s further public transport choices so test their web site for extra info. If you could rent a automobile in your Hay on Wye journey, we suggest rentalcars.com who evaluate costs throughout all main automobile rental firms.

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As London primarily based journey bloggers, we’re typically exploring unique locations removed from house, however there’s a wealth of nice experiences available inside the UK. Listed here are a few of our favorite guides to our house nation. For extra see our Britain web page.

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