Making the Most of Hay Festival and Finding a Peaceful Place to Stay

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It feels like a lovely place to begin our very first blog post, especially as Hay Festival comes around again and the whole area starts to come to life.

It really is one of our favourite times of year. There is something quite special about it. The fields fill with people, ideas, stories and conversation, and Hay-on-Wye feels even more vibrant than usual. If you have been before, you will probably know exactly what we mean. And if it is your first time, you are in for something quite special.

A few gentle tips, from us to you, if you are planning a visit. It is probably worth booking your talks in advance, especially the popular ones, as they do fill up quickly. But at the same time, try not to plan every minute. Some of the nicest moments come from leaving a bit of space to wander, browse the bookshop, or stop for something good to eat from one of the food stalls.

The festival itself is free to enter, which makes it easy to dip in and out. You can spread your visit over a couple of days rather than trying to fit everything into one. Parking is usually just outside the site and tends to be around five pounds for the day, which keeps things fairly simple.

It is also well worth wandering into Hay itself in between events. You can walk there from the festival, and once you are in the town there is plenty to explore. Bookshops tucked into every corner, little cafes, ice cream stops, and a lovely atmosphere that carries on beyond the festival site. There are often events at the castle, and this year there is even singing on the river with the Hay Shanty Men, joined by the Bristol synchronised swimming group, which should be something quite memorable.

After a full day of all that, having somewhere peaceful to return to makes all the difference. We are just outside Hay-on-Wye, in a quiet spot overlooking the valley, where things slow down again. Evenings here tend to be all about fresh air, big skies and a bit of stillness after the buzz of the day.

If you are still looking for somewhere to stay, we do have a little midweek availability during the festival. Our yurts sleep up to four and tend to suit couples, friends or small families who want somewhere comfortable and relaxed nearby.

For us, Hay Festival has always been about that balance. The liveliness and inspiration during the day, and then the calm and quiet in the evening. It is what turns a visit into something that feels like a proper break.

We will share more here over time, but it felt like a nice place to start. And if you do find yourself heading this way for the festival, we would love to welcome you and provide you with your Hay Festival Stay.