Top 10 Things to do Good for a Rainy Day in Hay-on-Wye, Wales

November 9, 2021 Jacquiline Darosa

More than thirty bookstores, many specializing in out of print or hard to locate titles, lure literary lovers to this market town of 2000, known as the Town of Books. Snugly nestled in the County of Powys at the English border, Hay-on-Wye is most popular during the annual Guardian Hay Festival during the last few weeks of May, when 80,000 visitors descend for readings and seminars. Hay-on-Wye, or Y Gelli as it is in Welsh, also has two Norman castles, a plethora of pubs and a pleasant stream.
Restaurants in Hay-on-Wye

1. Eighteen Rabbit

2 Lion Street, Hay-on-Wye HR3 5AA Wales +44 1497 822882 [email protected] http://eighteenrabbit.co.uk/
Excellent
85%
Good
11%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 27 reviews

Eighteen Rabbit

An eclectic, ethical boutique selling stylish fair trade gifts, clothes, jewellery and chocolate.

Reviewed By jademh93 - Hay-on-Wye, United Kingdom

My favourite thing this shop has to offer are the beautiful wooden toys and puzzles, I have bought several over the past couple of years along with some fantastic fair trade chocolate (which I would certainly recommend) and some lovely jewellery too. Whenever I pop in Andrew is always smiling and up for a chat.

Brook Street, Hay-on-Wye HR3 5BQ Wales +44 1497 821070 [email protected] http://www.brookstreetpottery.co.uk/
Excellent
83%
Good
17%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 23 reviews

Brook Street Pottery & Gallery

Beautiful pottery shop and gallery exhibiting a carefully curated range of British contemporary ceramics . The gallery also has jewellery and prints for sale. In the upper floor gallery space there are changing exhibitions of applied arts. The 300 year old building also houses a working pottery making frostproof hand thrown studio terracotta for the garden. Owner and potter Simon Hulbert makes original and functional garden pots and fellow potter Bill Parkes makes a range of standard useful garden pots like Half pans and Long Toms. Simon has also recently been to China and now makes collection of small porcelain vessels including vases , dishes, espresso cups and lidded boxes.

Reviewed By jojo1essex2019 - Newport, United Kingdom

Lovely gallery and lots of pottery for sale with a good range of prices. Definitely worth a look. There was an exhibition on when I visited. Very reasonably priced earthenware for the garden too.

3. Want To Canoe?

Excellent
97%
Good
3%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 355 reviews

Want To Canoe?

Canoeing on the River Wye We invite you to 'get away from it all' and discover the beauty of the River Wye. The Wye is one of the most beautiful rivers in the British Isles and one of the few you can navigate, without restriction, for over 100 miles. It meanders through picturesque countryside to where it joins the River Severn at Chepstow and is well populated with wild life. Herons, Cormorants, Kingfishers, Swans and Otters are frequently seen. This peaceful setting is the ideal place to spend a few hours, a day or even a week. Hire a canoe. Leave your car on our free riverside car-park. Take a picnic (we provide barrels)... ...then canoe downstream. We will pick you up, Free of Charge, from one of the designated access points and return you to your car. Should you have any distance to travel to return home, bring along a change of clothing in case you get wet! Wear something old to paddle in, together with old trainers, sandals or 'crocs' - NO WELLINGTONS. Don't forget your sun-cream and hat if it is sunny. If you decide to go for a few days or a week we can provide you with details of camp-sites and directions to the nearest pub for an evening meal. Again, we pick you up at the end of your holiday and bring you back to Hay and your car. For those who prefer home comforts, there are a few B&B establishments along the Wye. (It is advisable for people to have had some experience before going on the river - particularly those taking children).

4. Eirian Studio Glass

Hay on Wye Craft Centre Oxford Road 5, The Craft Centre, Hay-on-Wye HR3 5DG Wales +44 1497 821376 [email protected] http://www.glassgallery.co.uk
Excellent
96%
Good
2%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 119 reviews

Eirian Studio Glass

Glass blowing courses and workshops at Eirian Studio Glassworks and gallery in Hay On Wye. Hand blown glass that includes studio glass,handmade glass lighting,contemporary hand cut tableware and unique glass jewellery are all made and sold on the premises.

Reviewed By MickT668

Well woth going on the 1 day beginners glass blowing course. If someone like me can come away with a paper weight, bauble and vase that I'm proud to say I made, then that just shows you how great Rowena and Paul are as teachers. A very enjoyable day.

5. Gym & Tonic Health Club

10 Broad Street, Hay-on-Wye HR3 5DB Wales +44 1497 822995 [email protected] http://www.gymandtonichay.co.uk
Excellent
96%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
4%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 23 reviews

Gym & Tonic Health Club

Fully equipped Gym with 12 cardio machines, huge array of weights, 12 across the board classes from Yoga to Boxing Circuits. Prices are £7 for classes to £9 for a gym session- stay as long as you want to. Run by award winning Cat Wyllie-Fox PT (Fitness Instructor for Wales 2006)

6. The Globe at Hay

Newport Street, Hay-on-Wye HR3 5BG Wales +44 1497 821762 [email protected] http://www.theglobeathay.org/
Excellent
76%
Good
22%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 37 reviews

The Globe at Hay

The globe at hay is appropriately situated in the remarkable town of Hay-on-Wye, a place of enormous spirit, independence and will power. It is home to The Institute of Art and Ideas, a charity founded to promote free thinking, creativity and debate. The globe at hay celebrates all forms of expression; from poetry readings to fashion shows, children’s workshops to video art and from philosophical talks to music and comedy. Our mission is to engage the local community of all ages in imaginative and socially inclusive projects. We provide a space for people to have fun doing interesting things. Come and get involved; see an event, throw a party or dine in our restaurant with your friends and family. The globe is a very special space – we’re proud of it and we want you to see it for yourself. The globe at hay is available for birthdays, weddings and family celebrations as well for community groups and the corporate sector to run classes, conferences, meetings or training events.

7. Murder and Mayhem

5 Lion Street, Hay-on-Wye HR3 5AA Wales +44 1497 821613
Excellent
59%
Good
28%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
0%
Terrible
4%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 32 reviews

Murder and Mayhem

Reviewed By workyK - Bath, United Kingdom

Murder and Mayhem *made* our trip to Hay on Wye. I have an Agatha Christie-mad near- tween, and the smashing shopkeeper was indulgent, welcoming, fun and friendly. Even on day 5! ;) This is the place to go for ALL your mystery and murder fiction (and fact, in fact). There's every sub-genre you can wish for - it's the perfect dark-heaven for those so-inclined. Thank you, M&M!

8. Booth's Bookshop

44 Lion Street, Hay-on-Wye Wales +44 1497 820322 [email protected] http://www.boothbooks.co.uk/
Excellent
67%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
2%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 102 reviews

Booth's Bookshop

Reviewed By Changnam - Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom

A wonderful selection of books on a myriad of subjects. I don't often buy new books these days, but just couldn't help myself and succumbed to a purchase. I almost felt myself falling back in love with the feel of having a new book in my hands. Joy! I spent quite some time browsing the shelves. Love the staircase! I also stayed and had breakfast in the cafe. Surely one of the best book shops out of the many in Hay on Wye. No visit would be complete without a little time spent wandering between the bookshelves. A delight!

6 Lion Street, Hay-on-Wye HR3 5AA Wales +44 1497 822900 [email protected] http://www.lionstreetgallery.co.uk
Excellent
73%
Good
20%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 15 reviews

The Lion Street Gallery

The Lion Street Gallery specialises in showing both paintings and sculpture by some of the best artists working in Wales and the borders today. A whole range of work is on display in a variety of approaches and media, from Wolves made from electrical cable to stunning expressionist landscapes. You can also take advantage of our interest free credit.Dogs very much welcome.

10. Hay, Ross on Wye, Wales

The Drill Hall 25 Lion Street The Drill Hall, Hay-on-Wye HR3 5AD Wales +44 1497 822620 http://hayfestival.com
Excellent
60%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
5%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 20 reviews

Hay, Ross on Wye, Wales

Reviewed By MTBC1962 - Chichester, United Kingdom

Lovely place to visit. Renowned for the many books shops. Lots of antique shops, cafes, well worth a visit.

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