Get outdoors for the Brecon Beacons' biggest Autumn event at The Hay Walking Festival!
The Hay Walking Festival takes place from Thursday 10th - Monday 14th October and is the perfect way to get out into the fresh air and explore the wonderful countryside of the Brecon Beacons! With Autumn well and truly upon us, the landscape is stunning at the moment and we’ll definitely be out taking advantage of everything the Hay Walking Festival has to offer...why not join us?!
Different people enjoy different kinds of walks. There are those who want a challenge, preferably involving a full day out in the hills, and a number of steep ascents and descents! Others enjoy learning something about the immediate area as they go, their appreciation of the landscape heightened by discovering something of the local geology and history. And there are those who like a gentle potter somewhere scenic, perhaps with a good lunch or tea thrown in!
The Hay Walking Festival caters for all these interests, and more! They have organised some 50 guided walks, ranging from 2 – 25 miles, and provide for people of all ages and varying fitness levels, offering some breath-taking views of the Brecon Beacons, the Black Mountains and the North Herefordshire countryside.
Tickets have been selling fast, and 13 walks are now sold out! But there are tickets still available for many other exciting and interesting walks, so now is the time to snap them up before they all go.
Join the Offa’s Dyke Trail Officer, Rob Dingle on the 10th October and walk the stretch from Kington to Hay, or explore the Llanthony Valley on a wonderful walk on the 12th from Capel y Ffin involving ridges, views and some magnificent ruins, or if you have kids, bring them along on the 13th for a woodland walk from Talgarth to the Witches' Pool Waterfall with story teller Sonia Caller on hand to weave a tale or two along the way!
Take a cottage for the weekend and get as much out of the Beacons as possible!
Gardeners Granary
A contemporary and luxurious cottage within easy walking distance of Hay-On-Wye, Gardeners Granary is a perfect base from which to join in the activities of the Walking festival. Sleeping 2 and set in the grounds of a very productive Small Holding and market garden, this is an ideal little cottage to spend a relaxing weekend break.
Apple Bough Cottage and Chess Cottage
These two delightful red brick cottages are situated next door to one another. Each cottage sleeps four and is comfortably furnished, and the cottages can be taken separately or together to allow for larger groups. In a great location, close to Hay-On-Wye, you can take part in the Walking Festival events as well as explore further afield! Take Apple Bough for a quiet family break or get a group together and combine the cottages for a group gathering!
Castle Farm
If you want to come alone or would rather just stay for one or two nights, why not stay at castle Farm, snuggled in the hills about Hay-On-Wye. A perfect, relaxing getaway, the Farm is ideally situated to take advantage of the guided walks of the Festival as well as escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. The Walking Festival package included full board as well as an hour’s pampering with local massage and reflexologists at the farm, afternoon tea and plenty of cake!
There’s plenty to see and do in Hay; bookshops, antiques and art galleries galore, as well as a glut of excellent cafes, restaurants, pubs and tea-rooms to choose from!
Pop in to Mostly Maps to discover the wonderful collection of antique maps and prints and see if you can find an early map of your home-town! Or if mystery takes your fancy, Murder and Mayhem specialises in Detective Fiction, True Crime and Horror. Then there’s Stella & Rose’s Books, a delightful cavern of rare and out-of-print children’s books to excite the youngsters and bring on waves of nostalgia for the grown-ups!
Richard Booth’s Bookshop Cafe is a book-lover and tea-drinker’s paradise! Wander the labyrinth of booshelves, stacked from floor to ceiling with every book imaginable, and then settle down for a refreshing cup of tea and some delicious home-made cakes!
The Swan at Hay Hotel and Restaurant offers a delicious, seasonal menu, making use of the best local produce and seasonal vegetables all home-made and cooked to perfection! Pop in for warm welcome and relaxed, comfortable atmosphere and enjoy a sumptuous dinner!
