Hay on Wye travel guide

Books, books and more books

Nestled just inside the Welsh border in Brecon Beacons National Park, Hay-on-Wye is known the world over for its literary festival; held every June, this "Woodstock of the mind," according to Bill Clinton, draws thousands of people hungry to see established and up-and-coming writers alike. But you can get your literary fix year-round - Hay-on-Wye is also known for its bookshops cramming every block in town, most specializing in antique and secondhand finds. When you are done combing stacks of rare books, the town itself is disarmingly quaint. This is a great place to spend a couple of days if you want to meander down old, narrow lanes, and spend most of your time poking your head into small shops whilst enjoying the fresh country air.