Where to stay
- In town: coaching inns and small hotels within a few minutes of the shops.
- Nearby villages: Clyro, Glasbury and Llyswen offer inns and country houses.
- Brecon: a practical fallback during the festival.
Food and drink
Hay has an excellent choice of cafés, delis and gastropubs serving local produce from the border farms. The Thursday market sells cheese, bread and vegetables.
Festival tips
- Book accommodation as early as possible.
- Popular talks sell out quickly once the programme is published.
- Use the shuttle bus or walk; parking is limited.
Practicalities
Hay straddles the border: the town is in Wales, while parts of the surrounding area are in England. Mobile signal can be patchy in the hills.
Sample plans
One day
Browse the bookshops, visit Hay Castle, and walk by the Wye at sunset.
Two days
Drive the Gospel Pass to Llanthony Priory, or canoe from Glasbury to Hay.
