Croeso i'r Gelli / Welcome to Hay-on-Wye

Hay Festival Winter Weekend is back 28 November – 1 December 2024. Celebrating the 25th edition with a sparkling programme of events, brining writers and readers together to mark the turning of the seasons with hope, joy, and laughter. Over four days, more than 70 artists take part in over 60 events in Hay Castle and venues all over our book town, launching the best new fiction and non-fiction, engaging with some of the biggest issues of our time, and spreading festive joy with conversations, candle-lit storytelling, film screenings, comedy, music and workshops. Guests include novelists Ali Smith and Paula Hawkins; actors Rupert Everett, Paterson Joseph and Luke Evans; broadcaster and campaigner Carol Vorderman; former Australian PM Julia Gillard; statistician David Spiegelhalter; classicist Natalie Haynes; poet Theresa Lola; Uncanny host Danny Robins; foreign policy specialist Chloe Dalton; comedians Russell Kane and Vic Reeves; broadcaster Cerys Matthews; musician Arun Ghosh; supervet Noel Fitzpatrick; and historians Sarah Clegg and Jonathan Dimbleby. Explore the full programme of events HERE.

This is our first shop and we are thrilled to have opened it in Hay-on-Wye. Flockers as a brand is new yet the artist Cookie has been designing best selling t-shirts since 1995! Pop in to meet 'Pudding' shop dog, always pleased to meet and greet you. Be WARNED you might laugh out loud! We are online at www.baaadflockers.com

In May 2022, Hay Castle opened its doors to the public for the first time in its 900-year history, following a major 10-year restoration project. The castle is one of the great surviving defence structures on the border of England and Wales, and preserves the Richard Booth Collection, which was established as a tribute to the self-declared King of Hay. The castle and the beautiful grounds are striking spaces for private and community events, as well as hosting a programme of exhibitions, musical and dramatic performances, workshops, performing arts, and cultural activities.

We invite you to swing by our enchanting shop, The Literature Laboratory, where a treasure trove of delightful stories awaits you. As well as innovative fresh children's titles, we also specialise in wellbeing and parenting books.  We stock a unique range of eco sustainable wellbeing goods such as QiEco yoga mats, travel wash kits as well as exciting jewellery crafted in Snowdonia from foraged treasure.  Come and discover our exciting wellbeing range of gifts. Our shop is just across from the Butter Market in Hay-on-Wye. Come see us and unleash your inner explorer as you navigate through our whimsical world of books, and don't be surprised if you find yourself lost in the pages of a newfound favourite. So, come on in, make some new friends (both on and off the pages), and let the magic of reading fill your heart and mind!  We have toys and outdoor activities for children of all ages to educate, inspire and entertain.