| 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 5AN, HR3 5BY, HR3 5DQ, HR3 5BG, HR3 5DP, HR3 5DT, HR3 5DR, HR3 5AP, HR3 5ED … See all