| Coordinates: | 52.073, -3.131 |
|---|---|
| OS grid ref: | SO 22 42 |
| Dialling code: | 01497 (Hay-on-Wye) |
Hay is a compact riverside community in Powys, Wales, lying on the banks of the River Wye close to the English border and the foothills of the Brecon Beacons. It has clear market‑town roots and a historic core punctuated by the remains and recent restoration of Hay Castle and an old parish church, giving a palpable medieval character amid surrounding farmland and rolling hills.
The town is best known as a book town and for the internationally recognised Hay Festival, which helped transform the local economy from predominantly agriculture to one centred on tourism, bookselling, arts and events; galleries, independent shops and cafés now sit alongside traditional rural businesses. Its small, engaged community attracts writers, artists and visitors, making it a lively cultural hub despite its modest size.
HR3 5DW, HR3 5FA, HR3 5AE, HR3 5DG, HR3 5DB, HR3 5EJ, HR3 5DQ, HR3 5EF, HR3 5AR … See all