Hay-on-Wye: The UK’s Literary Capital
Hay-on-Wye is a small, enchanting market town on the border between Wales and England. Nestled deep within the Wye Valley, it has achieved worldwide acclaim as a hub of literary culture and is known as the world's first book town. This town is home to more than 20 specialist bookshops, the first of which appeared in 1962, and it has since become legendary as one of the most important book towns in the world. Home to the annual Hay Festival, where the finest minds in literature gather each year for talks, workshops and to browse the overflowing shelves, Hay is a classic example of British culture at its most unique. With its chocolate box stone cottages, winding cobbled streets, and the gentle flow of the River Wye, it remains a charming example of a British market town, while being the beating heart of the UK's literary community.
How Hay-on-Wye became the UK's Book Capital
Hay-on-Wye rose to prominence as a cultural landmark in the 1960s and 70s, largely thanks to the eccentric efforts of Richard Booth, the self-proclaimed King of Hay, who opened the first second-hand bookshop here in 1962. His mission to put the town on the map worked spectacularly; the Hay Festival of literature and arts launched in 1988 and has since risen to greater heights of prestige each year. Today, the number of bookshops is over 20, meaning there is roughly one bookshop for every 80 residents.
The best bookshops in Hay-on-Wye
When in Hay, the secret is to browse slowly, to linger over a first edition or lose yourself in the familiar smell of aged paper and leather bindings. To truly embrace the town's philosophy, take your time wandering the nooks and crannies of each bookshop, but be sure to stop off at these iconic institutions:
- Richard Booth’s Bookshop: A temple to books, and the first bookshop to grace the town, featuring a cafe and even a cinema.
- The Old Forge: Perfect for those seeking rare titles and a quiet, contemplative atmosphere.
- Murder and Mayhem: A delightfully themed shop dedicated entirely to detective fiction, crime, and horror.
- Hay-on-Wye Booksellers: Located in a beautiful black-and-white timbered building, it’s a staple of the main street.
- The Poetry Bookshop: The only second-hand bookshop in the UK dedicated solely to poetry.
The Hay Literature and Arts Festival
The Hay Festival has been running since 1988, and its line-ups consistently feature prominent authors from every conceivable genre. The workshops and talks span a vast array of topics, from geopolitics to children’s literature. No matter your preference, there is something for everyone. Bill Clinton once described it as "The Woodstock of the mind".
Beyond the Books: Exploring the Wye Valley
While the literature is the draw, the landscape is the soul of the region. For the adventurous traveller, Hay offers more than just reading material. Positioned at the northern tip of the Brecon Beacons (Bannau Brycheiniog), the town is a gateway to some of the finest hiking and cycling trails in the UK. Herefordshire and the Welsh borders are a landscape frozen in time, filled with beautiful vistas, rolling hills, vineyards, the famous Black and White Villages, and many ancient monoliths to explore. The River Wye is perfect for a gentle afternoon of canoeing or a riverside picnic or in the town itself, Hay boasts many wonderful antique shops, galleries, cafes and local craft emporiums that reward the curious mind.
Experience this literary hub for yourself on our Herefordshire journey, cycling along quiet lanes and ancient hedgerows, before stopping to soak up the atmosphere in Hay-on-Wye. Interested in a literary festival in warmer climes? You might enjoy the Kardamyli Festival in Greece. The best of the festival, gorgeous Mediterranean weather and leisurely cycling through the charming villages of the Mani Peninsula.
