Top 10 Things to do in Hay-on-Wye, Wales

August 13, 2021 Rosalyn Ihle

More than thirty bookstores, many specializing in out of print or hard to locate titles, lure literary lovers to this market town of 2000, known as the Town of Books. Snugly nestled in the County of Powys at the English border, Hay-on-Wye is most popular during the annual Guardian Hay Festival during the last few weeks of May, when 80,000 visitors descend for readings and seminars. Hay-on-Wye, or Y Gelli as it is in Welsh, also has two Norman castles, a plethora of pubs and a pleasant stream.
Restaurants in Hay-on-Wye

1. Philosophie

13 Castle Street, Hay-on-Wye HR3 5DF Wales +44 1497 238008 [email protected] http://www.philosophiehay.co.uk
Excellent
100%
Good
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Satisfactory
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Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 1 reviews

Philosophie

2. Eighteen Rabbit

2 Lion Street, Hay-on-Wye HR3 5AA Wales +44 1497 822882 [email protected] http://eighteenrabbit.co.uk/
Excellent
85%
Good
11%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 27 reviews

Eighteen Rabbit

An eclectic, ethical boutique selling stylish fair trade gifts, clothes, jewellery and chocolate.

Reviewed By jademh93 - Hay-on-Wye, United Kingdom

My favourite thing this shop has to offer are the beautiful wooden toys and puzzles, I have bought several over the past couple of years along with some fantastic fair trade chocolate (which I would certainly recommend) and some lovely jewellery too. Whenever I pop in Andrew is always smiling and up for a chat.

Brook Street, Hay-on-Wye HR3 5BQ Wales +44 1497 821070 [email protected] http://www.brookstreetpottery.co.uk/
Excellent
83%
Good
17%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
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Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 23 reviews

Brook Street Pottery & Gallery

Beautiful pottery shop and gallery exhibiting a carefully curated range of British contemporary ceramics . The gallery also has jewellery and prints for sale. In the upper floor gallery space there are changing exhibitions of applied arts. The 300 year old building also houses a working pottery making frostproof hand thrown studio terracotta for the garden. Owner and potter Simon Hulbert makes original and functional garden pots and fellow potter Bill Parkes makes a range of standard useful garden pots like Half pans and Long Toms. Simon has also recently been to China and now makes collection of small porcelain vessels including vases , dishes, espresso cups and lidded boxes.

Reviewed By jojo1essex2019 - Newport, United Kingdom

Lovely gallery and lots of pottery for sale with a good range of prices. Definitely worth a look. There was an exhibition on when I visited. Very reasonably priced earthenware for the garden too.

4. Want To Canoe?

Excellent
97%
Good
3%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
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Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 355 reviews

Want To Canoe?

Canoeing on the River Wye We invite you to 'get away from it all' and discover the beauty of the River Wye. The Wye is one of the most beautiful rivers in the British Isles and one of the few you can navigate, without restriction, for over 100 miles. It meanders through picturesque countryside to where it joins the River Severn at Chepstow and is well populated with wild life. Herons, Cormorants, Kingfishers, Swans and Otters are frequently seen. This peaceful setting is the ideal place to spend a few hours, a day or even a week. Hire a canoe. Leave your car on our free riverside car-park. Take a picnic (we provide barrels)... ...then canoe downstream. We will pick you up, Free of Charge, from one of the designated access points and return you to your car. Should you have any distance to travel to return home, bring along a change of clothing in case you get wet! Wear something old to paddle in, together with old trainers, sandals or 'crocs' - NO WELLINGTONS. Don't forget your sun-cream and hat if it is sunny. If you decide to go for a few days or a week we can provide you with details of camp-sites and directions to the nearest pub for an evening meal. Again, we pick you up at the end of your holiday and bring you back to Hay and your car. For those who prefer home comforts, there are a few B&B establishments along the Wye. (It is advisable for people to have had some experience before going on the river - particularly those taking children).

5. Eirian Studio Glass

Hay on Wye Craft Centre Oxford Road 5, The Craft Centre, Hay-on-Wye HR3 5DG Wales +44 1497 821376 [email protected] http://www.glassgallery.co.uk
Excellent
96%
Good
2%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 119 reviews

Eirian Studio Glass

Glass blowing courses and workshops at Eirian Studio Glassworks and gallery in Hay On Wye. Hand blown glass that includes studio glass,handmade glass lighting,contemporary hand cut tableware and unique glass jewellery are all made and sold on the premises.

Reviewed By MickT668

Well woth going on the 1 day beginners glass blowing course. If someone like me can come away with a paper weight, bauble and vase that I'm proud to say I made, then that just shows you how great Rowena and Paul are as teachers. A very enjoyable day.

6. Gym & Tonic Health Club

10 Broad Street, Hay-on-Wye HR3 5DB Wales +44 1497 822995 [email protected] http://www.gymandtonichay.co.uk
Excellent
96%
Good
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Satisfactory
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Poor
4%
Terrible
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Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 23 reviews

Gym & Tonic Health Club

Fully equipped Gym with 12 cardio machines, huge array of weights, 12 across the board classes from Yoga to Boxing Circuits. Prices are £7 for classes to £9 for a gym session- stay as long as you want to. Run by award winning Cat Wyllie-Fox PT (Fitness Instructor for Wales 2006)

7. Hay Bus Hay Taxi

8A Broad Street, Hay-on-Wye HR3 5DB Wales +44 7974 106656 [email protected] http://www.haytaxibus.co.uk
Excellent
94%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
6%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 17 reviews

Hay Bus Hay Taxi

Minibus and Taxi service based in Hay on Wye. 16 seat wheelchair accessible minibus, 9 seat wheelchair accessible taxi.

Reviewed By NossGirl

The most helpful friendly taxi pick up taking us from the end of three long days on the Wye to take us back to our car at the start point. No problem with our boards and soggy luggage. Thanks again. xx

8. Freerein Riding Holidays

The Coach House Clyro Court, Clyro, Hay-on-Wye HR3 5LE Wales +44 1497 821356 [email protected] http://www.free-rein.co.uk/
Excellent
97%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
3%
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Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 33 reviews

Freerein Riding Holidays

Reviewed By lilydrennan

I booked this trip due to other summer plans being cancelled and I am so happy I did. One of the best experiences I have had to date. Everything at Freerein is well organised. From start to finish everything was on time and ran smoothly. On arrival we were assigned our ponies and I lucked out with the very handsome 'todge'. They work hard to make sure rider and horse are a good match and no one had a complaint to make. They are hardy and trustworthy horses that still have so much life in them. They aren't just follow nose to tail horses, you have to ride them properly which was so enjoyable. The terrain you ride on is just breathtaking and the views are amazing. Our guide Katie was really knowledgeable and cared a lot for everyone in the group. You ride for around 6/7 hours a day, it varies depending on your trail but everyone was comfortable and happy. We got to see some wild Welsh ponies which was fab. The accommodation we stayed at was lovely and all hosts treated us almost like family. The food again matched and was given in large portions and very tasty. The packed lunches we got each day also contained packs of polos, apples and carrots for the ponies which was a lovely touch. All in all I do not have a single bad thing to say about Freerein. You can tell they care deeply for all their animals which was lovely to see. If you are thinking about booking this then I would say it is a must. Do be prepared to ride through all weathers and pack accordingly. I am going to go back next year! Thank you Freerein for an amazing three days!

9. Drover Cycles

Forest Road, Hay-on-Wye HR3 5EH Wales +44 1497 822419 [email protected] http://www.drovercycles.co.uk/bike-hire/
Excellent
100%
Good
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Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 2 reviews

Drover Cycles offers bike hire in Hay on Wye and the surrounding area. We have a fleet of 100+ bikes, ranging from road bikes to full-suspension MTBs as well as tandems, tag-a-long, kids bikes and even a dog trailer. All our equipment is high quality and well maintained to ensure you have the best experience on two wheels! We have an on-site cafe, shop, workshop and toilet/shower facilities.

Reviewed By M8569ZOsimong

Needed to rent a mountain bike at short notice and they were very helpful. Great bike, friendly service and a good selection of route ideas with maps

10. The Welsh Girl

Lion Street St John's Place, Hay-on-Wye HR3 5AA Wales +44 7788 674660 http://www.thewelshgirl.com
Excellent
75%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
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Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 4 reviews

The Welsh Girl

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