Hay-On-Wye is a small (very small) town on the border of England and Wales, it has a rich history dating back (probably) to pre-Roman times. The name Hay (or Haia ) means a field and the Wye is a river that meanders lazily through it. Over the years Hay (as the locals refer to it) has attracted an assortment of people, the good, the bad and the very interesting indeed. I will list but a few of the more notorious....

Matilda (Maud or Moll Walbee)- Legend has it that the lady was a Giantess who built Hay castle in one night, who could hurl boulders more than a mile and that she met her end in a dungeon, thrown there by the King (John) who had her starved to death. The story goes that she was one of the (very) few people who knew about Johns part in the murder of his nephew Arthur, and that is why she met such a very private and grisly end (private that is except for the presence of her son, who also starved to death).

William Seward-It is believed by many (even to this day) that this Methodist preacher was stoned to death on Black Lion Green in 1740, but it is more likely that he was all ready suffering from wounds inflicted elsewhere when he arrived in Hay, and that the hostile reception he received here simply "put the nail in his coffin" as it were. He is buried in the churchyard at Cusop. Back to the top of the page.

Rev. Francis Kilvert- A Victorian vicar who lived near to Hay and was a frequent visitor to the town wrote a diary which has survived in print to this day, and gives a glowing picture of the area during the late 1800's. He seems to have had a healthy interest in the young female form, or possibly an unhealthy interest depending on your point of view. Back to the top of the page.

Major Herbert Rowse Armstrong- He is Hay's infamous solicitor, credited with the murder of his wife Katherine, by poisoning in 1921. The subject of his guilt (or innocence) in the matter is still hotly debated in the town, several book on the subject have been written and a mini series was made for ITV a few years ago (they came down on the guilty side). [Personally having read the trial transcripts, and looked into the case, I don't know if he did or if he didn't, but I do think that the actual evidence against him was insufficient to find him guilty and hang him].rec.reading. "Dead Not Buried" by Martin Beales . "Exhumation of a Murder" by Robin Odell. Back to the top of the page.

April Ashley-For many years Britain's first and most famous sex changer, lived in Hay, she has now moved to America but returns occasionally and is fondly remembered by many.
Richard Booth- Founder of the second hand book trade in Hay, and its self styled King. There are a few sites about Richard all ready.
For a more detailed explanation of the history of book selling in Hay-on-Wye.

Hay is quite a magnet for celebs but I better not mention their names here as many like anonymity, but it is not unusual to see a few familiar faces while wandering the streets, please don't mob them they are easily spooked. Back to the top of the page.

An explanation of Hay's links with the Arthurian legend. Ken Smith is Hay's resident Town Cryer and is available for guided tours on Saturdays at 2:30 or by appointment.

Festival of Literature
The Hay Festival of Literature is an annual event, which takes over the town for the last week in May. It is (I am reliably informed) the largest literary festival in the country and attracts the biggest and best names in writing and in entertainment generally. From Ken Dodd to John Fowles, from Jackie Collins to John Mortimer, Lauren Bacall, Sir Dirk Bogarde, Sue Townsend, Micheal Palin, Eddie Izzard, yes they've all turned it down flat, no I jest, they've all been here, some more than once. Back to the top of the page.
It is an entity in its self, and must be experienced to be believed, a town of less than 1400 people suddenly plays host to a star studded event that would be a credit to the largest and most affluent city in Europe, weird but true. More details on the festival can be had by phoning 01497 821299 Email: boxoffice@litfest.co.uk A Jazz Festival and an Irish Music Festival are also arranged by the Kilvert hotel phone (01497) 821 042 for details.
Things to do in and around Hay-On-Wye.
Hay is famous for being the second hand book capital of the world. From cheap paperbacks (50p) to highly sought after first editions, Hay has them all and in abundance. Collectors and those just interested in a bargain scour the bookshops all year round, and there are plenty of them to visit over 30 at the last count.
(Because of the large square footage of some of these bookshops, they have to comply with the same rules as large supermarkets and are restricted to certain hours on Sundays and are not permitted to open on Easter Sunday).

Crafts are also well represented in Hay, a small craft centre is situated by the main car park, and crafts people specialising in many different areas run many of the shops in town. Jewellery, Pottery, Painting, Salt Dough, Wood Turning, Glass Blowing, Hat Making, are just a few that immediately spring to mind, but a wander through the narrow streets will yield up many treasures. Back to the top of the page.

	Antiques and Antique Print Shops are also numerous, several antique markets have now appeared around the town, as well as the more usual antique shops. These markets are very popular with locals and visitors alike.

Back to the top of the page.

Food Drink and Accommodation are readily available in the town, all tastes are catered for, from the sandwich bar (Back Fold) to the Swan At Hay (Church Street). There are many bed and breakfast establishments and hotels in all price brackets. An accommodation list is available on request from the Tourist Information Bureau (01497) 820 144.
Many Activities can be enjoyed in the countryside that surrounds Hay-On-Wye, too many really to list them all here, but I shall attempt to mention a few.

Hay boasts a challenging 9 hole golf course for those wishing to hit small lumps of rubber with large lumps of metal. The course is a quite tricky par70 of 5858 yards and, being in a hilly part, quite up and down, the first hole requires oxygen. The greens and fairways are beautifully tended by, Urh? Robin, (I think) who used to be the gilly on the river and now ducks the way ward shots of countless punters hacking away trying to get their handicaps into lowish figures. You can contact the proprietor on (01497) 820 451. A round will cost you £8.00 and there is usually no need to book.

Climbing or walking in the Black Mountains, the inexperienced can arrange tuition from instructors Phone (01497) 847 897 for details. Caving and mountain biking can be organised too.
Canoeing is a popular summer activity and canoes are easy to hire, qualified instructors are also available Phone (01497) 847422 for details. Pony Trekking is great fun and the area around Hay is perfect Trekking country. Phone (01 497) 847285 or (01497) 847 351 for details.

Gliding is the best way to really see the mountains and surrounding countryside, the Black Mountains Gliding club are situated just outside Talgarth, open 7 days a week (in good weather) trial lessons can be arranged, fully qualified instructors are on hand providing tuition to all levels. Phone (01874) 711 463 / 711 254. The Offas Dyke Path and the Wye Valley Walk both run through hay, both are serious "walkers" paths, and information about them may be obtained from the Tourist information Bureau in hay. Phone (01497) 820144.

Fishing in the Wye is probably the oldest form of out door activity enjoyed in the area, a permit is required even to fish the town waters, private stretches require the permission of the owner(s). Phone the Tourist Information Bureau (01497) 820 144 for further details. Camping and Caravaning are a popular way to spend a break and there are numerous sites in the area, once again I recommend a call to the Tourist Information Bureau who can supply information on local sites. (01 497) 820 144.

A few words about the Tourist Information Bureau, this is situated next to the main town car park on the Oxford Road, it is one of the units in the Craft Centre. Helpers are there to answer your questions and a large selection of pamphlets and brochures are on hand to give you more ideas of how to spend your time on your visit. Much more is available than listed here and so I recommend a stop there as an absolute must on your arrival to town.This site is unofficial, it has no official status, but the details given are believed to be correct.
Click here for a Brief History of Hay-On-Wye.

	More Welsh and Hay-on-Wye Links

Click for a larger version of this map.

Hay-on-Wye local area.