Magical UK market town caught in time warp with incredible attraction (original) (raw)

Hay-on-Wye, which is known as Hay, is situated on the England-Wales border in the historic county of Brecknockshire in south Wales and is famed for its 30 bookshops - earning its moniker of the "Town of Books"

Hay-on-Wye is known as the Town of Books

A stunning market town in Wales is said to be caught in a timewarp and attracts visitors with its sheer number of old-timey bookstores.

Hay-on-Wye, which is known locally as Hay, is based in the historic county of Brecknockshire in south Wales. Within its perimeters are more than 30 shops specialising in out-of-print or rare books which draw huge crowds of the world's literary lovers. The town, which is home to just 2,000 people, is known as the Town of Books. Hay is situated on the Welsh border and tucked away in the County of Powys, which draws huge crowds of visitors - around 80,000 according to recent reports - especially during the yearly Hay festival. The shops often host readings and seminars and there are two Norman castles for those wanting a break from the books. There are also a number of cozy and welcoming pubs and a tranquil stream running through the town.

The town during its famous literary festival (

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You could lose hours and hours while perusing what's on offer at Richard Booth's sprawling bookshop before catching a movie at the local cinema, and indulging in a slice of lemon polenta cake at the cafe to top it all off. The restaurants cater to all tastes and food choices, with a delicious vegetarian menu on offer at the Electric Shop, which is surrounded with a whacky collection of vintage furniture.

There are also opportunities for camping and kayaking (

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There's even options for the thrillseekers, with kayaking along the Wye - a river spanning over 100 miles. You could even take on a multi-day camping and kayak adventure, either with a tour group or self-guided. As you wind along the sleepy river, be sure to look out for kingfishers, herons, cormorants, swans and otters. A short walk west along the riverside path is the Warren, a small shingle "beach" and open meadow where wild swimmers, stone skimmers, and picknickers come to enjoy their afternoons.

The River Wye (

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The tiny green county of Brecknockshire, which was classed as one of the thirteen historic counties of Wales, is a great option for a UK staycation. For your accommodation, you can stay in cool family villas, dog-friendly cottages or even a luxury manor house for those wanting to splash out. One of the hardest choices is whether you stay in the countryside or plot up in a characterful market town. Hereford is in the middle of the county so would also make a perfect base for exploring the area. For a family of four during peak season, it will cost at least £1,000, while you could see a major saving with low-season prices - which are anywhere from £600 to £1000.