Walks around Hay-on-Wye

Hay-on-Wye, or Y Gelli, is an unusual borderland town on the edge of the spectacular Brecon Beacons National Park. Until the arrival of bookshops its primary function was as a cattle market, where farmers came in from surrounding areas to buy and sell stock. They drove in sheep and ponies from the hills through the narrow streets of the town.

Now it clearly deserves its title of Book Town, as there are numerous bookshops and also an increasing number of artisans trading in the town.

Furthermore, Hay is a Walkers are Welcome town and has an annual Walking Festival, as well as the world famous Literary Festival and a Bike Festival, so tourism is now embedded in the town’s make up; thousands come to enjoy these events.