Inspired by the Solo Travel Destination post by Solo Travel Society member Trish, below, I recently visited Hay-on-Wye in Wales myself. Trish lives in the United States, I live in Canada, and following are our individual observations about this lovely destination. Do you have a solo travel destination that you would like to recommend? Submit your description here, along with a few photos, and share it with fellow travelers!
Languages spoken: English, Welsh
Hay Castle
Reasons to Visit Hay-on-Wye
Tracey's Story
Solo travel rating: 1 (1 is easiest, 3 is most difficult. Please see chart below)
Hay-on-Wye, often shortened to “Hay,” may be one of the loveliest little towns I have encountered. Not just because of the quaint storefronts, the winding streets, or the castle standing on a hill in the center of the village, but because of what lies behind those doors and windows: frequently, books.
Sitting on the border between England and Wales, Hay is renowned for its many bookshops. In fact, the town lays claim to the title of World's Largest Secondhand and Antiquarian Book Centre. With a population of only 1,500, the area boasts more than 20 bookstores. When you have that many, you can specialize: there are individual shops focused entirely on poetry; crime and horror; rare children's and illustrated books; maps, music, natural history, botany & gardening and bees & beekeeping. And then, there is Richard Booth's Bookshop, with three floors of new and used books, a cinema, a cafe, and studio space. They host art exhibitions, musical performances, yoga classes, lectures and workshops. It's a warm and inviting space.
Hay-on-Wye is also home to the world-famous Hay Festival, a 10-day celebration bringing together writers and readers from around the world, which will celebrate its 30th anniversary in 2017. I would love to return to attend this event that Bill Clinton has dubbed, “The Woodstock of the mind.”
In addition to books, Hay has art galleries, antique shops, cafes, restaurants, and a very popular ice cream parlour, Shepherds, which, not surprisingly, serves sheep's milk ice cream. I stopped into The Granary after my wander around town – it's exactly the kind of place you want to linger in with a big mug of coffee and a good book.
Richard Booth's Bookshop is the kind of place where one could spend hours browsing.
My apple was extra delicious because it was a gift.
The Lion Street Gallery promotes local artists.
A typical storefront in Hay.
Thank you to Visit Wales for sponsoring this trip. As always, the opinions and experiences are my own.
Solo Travel Destination Rating System
Safety – 1 (1 very safe, 2 safe in most areas, 3 be cautious at all times.)
Language – 1 (1 English is first language, 2 English speakers easy to find, 3 English speakers rare)
Navigation – 1 (1 easy to navigate by transit or car, 2 poor transit, car necessary, 3 not easy to get around)
Culture – 1 (1 Similar to North America or Western Europe, 2 Different from above but relaxed and easy, 3 Challenging)
Average Rating – 1 (1 is easiest, 3 is most difficult)
The River Wye
Trish's Story
Solo travel rating: 1 (1 is easiest, 3 is most difficult. Please see chart below)
Hay-on-Wye is a charming market town on the eastern border of Wales, easily accessible by car (if you’re UK-road savvy) or public transportation (a train and bus ride from London). Hay is known as the Town of Books, thanks to its almost two dozen bookstores and annual book festival. In addition to the bookstores, there are several antique and specialty shops, and Market Day on Thursdays in the center of town offers delicious baked goods, produce, and artisan crafts. Dining options include excellent pubs, Indian food, tapas, tea rooms, and cafes.
Aside from being a bibliophile’s dream spot, the town is surrounded by a tranquil landscape of farms and meadows, which makes for easy walks leading to beautiful views. If you want something more challenging, Hay is on the very northern tip of the Brecon Beacons National Park, and on both the Offa’s Dyke and Wye Valley trails. Your walking experience can be as rigorous or leisurely as you like, knowing you can return to town for a good meal and nearly infinite choice of books to help you unwind. I spent four days here in June, and felt welcomed by the locals and perfectly safe strolling around by myself.
Honor Book Store at Hay Castle
View of Hay from the Castle grounds.
Sheep meadow.
Solo Travel Destination Rating System
Safety – 1 (1 very safe, 2 safe in most areas, 3 be cautious at all times.)
Language – 1 (1 English is first language, 2 English speakers easy to find, 3 English speakers rare)
Navigation – 1 (1 easy to navigate by transit or car, 2 poor transit, car necessary, 3 not easy to get around)
Culture – 1 (1 Similar to North America or Western Europe, 2 Different from above but relaxed and easy, 3 Challenging)
Average Rating – 1 (1 is easiest, 3 is most difficult)
