Our guide to Hay-on-Wye
I settled in Hay-on-Wye in 2011 and love living here. My other half is a true local and helped me fall in love with this magic town, sandwiched between the Black Mountains and the River Wye. Hay is a wonderful market town, full of family-run and independent shops and great places to eat. Thursday is market day and not to be missed! Our recommendations come from personal local knowledge and experience, we hope you enjoy experiencing life in Hay.
PUBS, RESTAURANTS & BARS:
1. The Blue Boar
The local’s local, a family run business. Open fires in the winter, beer garden in the summer. Locally sourced produce, real ales and good hearty food.
Chapters was included in the 2024 Michelin Guide. Chapters is an intimate converted chapel with original parquet flooring, wood panelling and leaded windows. The set dinner menu changes every six weeks. In the evenings it is also open for drinks and has a bar menu.
This pub has old, cosy charm with a modern twist, Grade II listed building. Live jazz each Friday.
Great wine, fun atmosphere
Creating award-winning gin.
6. Lucky No.7
An independent brewery making fresh, modern and creative beers.
CAFES:
7. Shepherds Ice Cream Parlour
All ice creams from Shepherd’s are made from local sheep’s milk, offer a range of light lunch bites and cakes.
8. The Cosy Cafe
Cafe offering the occasional DJ night with cocktails!
Coffee & cake surrounded by vintage treasures and interior inspiration.
10. The Globe, Hay
Cafe, restaurant and live music venue.
11. Leaf (salad project)
Delicious fresh set menu. Tea room upstairs.
12. The Granary
Family run restaurant, championing local, seasonal produce.
13. Hay Castle cafe
Light and airy space for brunch, light lunches, Sunday lunch, cakes and snacks.
14. The Blue Boar Cafe Hay
CULTURAL:
15. Richard Booth’s Bookshop
The world-famous second-hand bookshop
16. Addymans
One of their three magical bookshops in the town.
17. The Cinema bookshop
Old cinema turned bookshop.
18. Hay Castle
A centre for arts and literature with many events all year round.
19. The Table
One of their two stylish art galleries in Hay.
20. Booth's Cinema
Gorgeous little independent cinema.
21. St Mary’s Church
FOOD SHOPPING:
22. Hay Delicatessen & Wholefoods
Organic, local & specialist produce.
23. Coop
For general shopping.
24. Castle Greengrocers
A wide variety of fresh fruit & vegetables.
25. Kate the baker
Open for bread, pastries and coffee every Thursday and Saturday – go early as she sells out!
26. Pughs
The closest shop to buy milk etc.
27. Hay Market Day
Every Thursday, 9am to 2.30pm. Trading for 700 years, Hay Market Day brings over 40 traders to the centre of Hay. The market is held throughout town, with traders in Memorial Square, the Cheese Market hall, Butter Market hall and around the Clock Tower. Open every Thursday year-round.
Takes place on the first Saturday of the month from 10am-4 pm. Monthly Saturday market running in the market square from April to October with local producers, street food, makers and artisans.
OUTDOORS:
29. Drovers Cycles
Shop, hire and bike service centre.
Based in Glasbury (4 miles from Hay).
32. Wye Valley Yoga
33. Hergest Croft gardens
34. Gwernyfed walled garden
36. Hay Community Garden
37. Secret Walled Garden
HAY SMALL BUSINESSES:
38. Flow
Clothing, household goods and accessories.
39. The Great English Outdoors
Selling products made and sourced from natural materials, designed to be cherished.
40. Llewelyn & Company
Antiques & decorative home store.
41. Bartrums
Suppliers of fine writing instruments, stationary and gifts.
42. Bain & Murrin
Vintage emporium selling vintage clothes and items.
43. Farmers Welsh lavender
Local lavender growers, makers of creams and balms.
44. Number Two
Clothing and accessories.
45. Oil & Oak gift shop & gallery
Showcasing local makers, independent craft, handmade wares and affordable art.
FOOD NEAR HAY-ON-WYE:
46. Bull's Head at Craswall (6.4 miles)
Traditional drovers inn and farmhouse bordered by the Black Mountains, using produce from their farm and local network of small producers. Michelin Guide.
47. Rhydspence Inn (4.6 miles)
48. Daphne’s pizza, Presteigne (19.9 miles)
Pizza, ice cream & drinks. Call 07377909216 to order/book a table daphnesfoodanddrink@gmail.com
49. Felin Fach Griffin (11.4 miles)
Fancy food.
50. Sobremesa (6.7 miles)
Farmhouse beers and natural ciders. Their tap room also serves cheese and charcuterie boards. Lower Porthamel Farm between Glasbury and Talgarth
UN-NUMBERED:
POP UPS & TAKE AWAYS:
Monthly pop up restaurant in Broad Street with three course set menu.
Trigg Food
Private events and pop ups.
Yummy fish and chip shop open Thursday-Saturday. They serve generous portions and make excellent kebabs.
Converted horse box turned pizza oven!
Wood fired pizza
Solar, wind and wood-powered supper club in a beautiful rural setting just outside Hay-on-Wye.