Hay, the Book Town, that's how most people see it. But there's more on offer now for those seeking to explore the exceptional countryside that lies just beyond this border outpost. Now there's the Bike Festival in Spring and Walking Festival come the Autumn. Much of this is down to a dedicated group of people who want to share their countryside with us. At the forefront is Drover Holidays-01497 821134-real people offering walking and cycling holidays plus bike hire for wheelers. Hay is a Walkers are Welcome town and the new book by Ledlie and Lumsdon (available at the Tourist Information Centre in Oxford Road or at Drover's base camp) is a good start for those who wish to explore on foot using Hay as a base.
In A Guide to Slow Travel in the Marches I mention several cafes and pubs but my favourites are still The Granary and Shepherds; they remain as good as ever. There's a new cafe at the Richard Booth Bookshop on Lion Street/ Brook Street; good food, a cinema, live events and of course, books. What more could the weary traveller want for after a mile or two marching into town? The Hay deli is also on Lion Street for those looking for a tasty bite to pack into the rucksack.
The Cheese Market has also been restored to good effect, and is surrounded by stalls on Market Day (Thursday) and at other events; there's always someone willing to busk nearby too which adds to the bohemian feel of a place. Hay is certainly now more focused on tourism as well as agriculture for its survival. The link between the two is retained by Gibbons the Butcher on Castle Street and Small Farms on Broad Street; the latter specialises in local organic produce which is spot on.
Finally, I must mention a lovely corner of Hay which has blossomed since I first penned the book. Take time to look at a group of shops clustered around the cobbles of Hay Castle. From the Brecon bus stop go over the road on the crossing and walk up a path towards the castle (by Back Fold); there should be sandwich boards outside heralding the likes of The Thoughtful Gardener and the Hay Loft. The one to look out for is Eighteen Rabbit as this is a fairtrade shop which offers a range of goods sourced from all over the world, but underpinned by ethical principles. Its a good and friendly retailer working towards a better way of shopping. Take a look at Eighteen Rabbit's website...www.eighteenrabbit.co.uk...if only to find out the derivation of the name.
Access is more or less the same except Beacons Bus (the sunday network managed by the Brecon Beacons National Park) has gone. That means the Offa's Dyke Flyer has capitulated too in a wave of senseless budgetary cuts. Come the autumn the Sunday/Bank Holidays bus 39A will be withdraw too BUT there's a move afoot to see if a service can be salvaged. That will be good. If not it means that Hay will become a weekday place for bus users, but its still worth that detour out of Hereford; the ride through the Golden Valley is rickety, the scenery superb.
