Hay Festival For Bibliophiles

Every Spring, the small market town of Hay-on-Wye in Wales plays host to a huge literary festival, bringing together more than 80,000 great international writers and thinkers, film-makers, historians and novelists, philosophers, environmentalists, poets, scientists and bibliophiles from near and far. The Hay Festival is more than just a literary festival, it is an intellectual adventure.

Hay-on-Wye is a picturesque market town nestled in the Black Mountains of the Brecon Beacons National Park. The town has an estimated population of less than 2000. Hay-on-Wye is located on the Welsh / English border in the United Kingdom. Most of the town lies within Wales, but eastern parts do encroach into England! The town is, nonetheless, considered to be in Wales.

Hay-on-Wye is often described as "the town of books", it is the National Book Town of Wales. It is a bibliophile's paradise. This small town has over 40 books shops. The castle's a book shop, the cinema's a book shop, the fire station's a book shop even the alleyways are book shops. Travelers to Wales will also find a number of galleries, antique shops, and craft shops to tempt their wallet.

Hay-on-Wye has plenty to keep travelers busy. Explore the atmospheric ruins of nearby Llanthony Priory an early 13th Century Augustinian church. The site is open all year and entrance is free. The towns’ location just inside the Brecon Beacons National Park offers visitors stunning scenery and a wealth of outdoor activities including Monmouthshire and Brecon canal.



Travel to Wales in late May/early June to be part of the annual Hay Festival. An event with a laid-back party atmosphere and a global reputation. High profile visitors to the Book Fair have included former US President Bill Clinton, who called the event "Woodstock of the mind”.

Learn more about the Wales Hay Festival. And start planning your Wales vacation with Celtic Tours World Vacations