Hay On Wye in the Brecon & Black Mountains

One of the gems along the River Wye, Hay-on-Wye is the small town famous the world over for books.

With the river flowing gracefully along its north western edge Hay, as locals refer to it, abuts the England Wales border. Its reputation as a town packed with bookshops and as the venue for the annual Festival of Literature are only two of its many facets. Y Gelli Gandryll (the shattered grove) as it is known in Welsh, 

Located in the east of Brecon Beacons National Park, the Black Mountains spread across parts of Powys, Monmouthshire and through the Welsh-English border into Herefordshire. The Black Mountains are a range of hills and mountains that largely lie between the towns of Abergavenny, Crickhowell, Talgarth and Hay-on-Wye and Craswall and Longtown in Herefordshire. They are the easternmost of the four ranges of hills that comprise the National Park.

Peruse the numerous second hand bookshops and antique shops

Shop at the various independent clothing, food and craft shops

Pop along to one of the regular markets

Go for a meander along the river and around The Warren

Trading for 700 years, Hay Market Day brings over 40 traders to the centre of Hay. Offering a diverse range of items, from local produce and hot food, to artisan crafts and vintage, there is something for everyone, locals and visitors alike. Often quoted as the best day in Hay to visit the town, so come to peruse, to socialise, to eat, to shop, and, most of all, to enjoy Hay Market Day!

The market is held throughout town, with traders in Memorial Square, the Cheese Market hall, Butter Market hall and around the Clock Tower. Open every Thursday year-round.