Location

Wild and open hills contrast with wooden valleys. Quiet country lanes link everything together.

Located on the edge of the Radnorshire Hills 5.5 miles away from the famous book town of Hay-on-Wye, the area is completely unspoilt. Wild and open hills contrast with wooden valleys and green pastureland. Wildlife is abundant and a myriad of footpaths and quiet country lanes link everything together. The well-trodden Offas Dyke footpath lies just a few fields away from my door and the sites of ancient encampments dot the surrounding hilltops.

Hay-on-Wye itself is a small, historic market town with a huge amount of character. Apart from the second-hand bookshops and the world-renowned literary festival (end of May annually) for which it is famed, it also has a good selection of independent gift & craft shops, galleries, pubs, cafes and an art-house cinema. As the towns' name suggests, it lies on the banks of the River Wye and just a stones throw from the main car park, it is possible to walk along the Bailey Riverside walk to The Warren, the towns own conservation area, with picturesque beach.

In addition to the annual Hay Festival, the town has a range of events, including a summer and Christmas food festival, a Festival of British Cinema (September annually) a Walking Festival (October annually) and many colourful arts and cultural events hosted by the Globe at Hay.

For outdoor pursuit enthusiasts the Hay-on-Wye area is a haven, offering canoeing on the River Wye, open-hill horse riding and pony trekking, hiking, mountain biking, fishing and even free tennis courts in Hay. There are a wealth of local companies specialising in all of these activities, who can tailor packages to suit all range of abilities and interests. The Brecon Beacons National Park and the Brecon to Monmouth Canal are half an hour drive away. The local vicinity also offers a plethora of ancient monuments, castles, country houses and pretty towns and villages to visit.

Useful links

Food and Drink

The Felin Fach Griffin
Felin Fach, Brecon, Powys. LD3 0UB
For more information visit eatdrinksleep.ltd.uk

The River Café
Glasbury Bridge, Glasbury-on-Wye, Hereford HR3 5NP
For more information visit Wye Valley Canoes

Festivals

The Hay Festival
June 2014

The Green Man Festival
August 2014

Abergavenny Food Festival
September 2014

Majestic Bus near Hay-on-Wye