THINGS TO DO
Something for everyone
Where we are located
Walnut Tree Cottage is located in the idyllic village of Llanigon, just 1.5 miles from the famous literary town of Hay-on-Wye which straddles the English/Welsh border. Known as the Kingdom of Books, bookshops, antique shops and galleries line the picturesque streets and visitors are warmly welcomed by the friendly local community. The town has a number of excellent restaurants as well as a weekly market selling fresh produce and local crafts. Music performances, theatre and poetry readings are held with regularity throughout the year. There are plenty of good walks and kayaking through the River Wye should not be missed!
Llanigon is located at the doorstep of the famous Welsh Black Mountains and is only half an hour from Brecon Beacons National Park which is well loved for its walks in a place of outstanding natural beauty. Other activities include mountain biking, stargazing, horse riding, fishing, caving, white water rafting and even gliding. There are a number of multi-activity centres to keep the little ones busy.
Hay Literary Festival
Every year between May and June, the Hay Literary Festival brings together authors and bibliophiles from all over the world in a 10 day celebration of books, storytelling and creativity, attracting award-winning novelists Pulitzer prize winners, broadcasters, performers and artists.
Recommendations
ACTIVITY CENTRES
Llangorse Multi-Activity Centre – Approximately 10 miles from Hay, offers a range of activities for all the family, including horseriding, natural rock caving and climbing, artificial climbing walls, ziplining, rope bridges and challenge courses. There is also a BMX track.
Gilfach Farm, Llangorse, Brecon Powys LD3 7UH, Tel: 0333 600 20 20
Interactivities – Offers canoeing, group and team building activities, archery, gorge adventure, caving, potholing, mountain biking, hill walking and navigation. Shrub Cottage, Glasbury, Herefordshire HR3 5LT Tel: 01497 847602/07968333095
Black Mountain Adventure – Archery, caving, clay pigeon shooting, climbing, ropes course, land carting, orienteering, kayaking, gorge adventure, white water rafting, mountain biking. Three Cocks, Brecon LD3 0SD, Tel: 01497 847897, info@blackmountain.co.uk
HAY ANTIQUE MARKET
A warren of seventeen antique shops to explore – 6 Market Street Tel: 01497 820175
BIKING
Drover Cycles – offers bike hire in Hay-on-Wye and the surrounding areas. They have road bikes, mountain bikes, tandems and kids bikes. On-site café, shop and toilet facilities. Forest Road, Hay-on-Wye HR3 5EH.
Many of the activity centres also offer mountain biking.
CANOEING
Want to canoe? – Discover the River Wye. This company allows you to embark and disembark at various points on the River Wye which can be navigated by canoe for over 100 miles. Tel: 01497 820604, hire@canoehire.co.uk,
Left Bank Canoe Hire – Canoe or kayak from Hay-on-Wye to Whitney-on-Wye (5.5 miles, takes about 2 hours) and have lunch at the Boat Inn. Tel: 01432 264 80.
Wye Valley Canoes - Canoes, kayaks and double kayaks, tours start at the Wye Valley Canoe Centre in Glasbury and a half day will take you to Hay. When you reach your desitination, you can call the Canoe Centre and they’ll come pick you up – The Boat House, Glasbury-On-Wye, Herefordshire HR3 5NP, Tel: 01497 847213 info@wyevalleycanoes.co.uk
Interactivities – see Activity Centres
EVENTS
The Globe at Hay – Exhibitions, live music, talks and classes, theatre and playgroups, there’s something for everyone. Tel: 01497 821 762, Newport Street, HR3 5BG
GALLERIES
Brook Street Pottery and Gallery – A beautiful pottery shop and gallery with a lovely selection of crafts. Brook Street Hay-on-Wye HR3 5BQ Lion Street Gallery - A gallery specializing in sculptures and paintings by Welsh artists – 6 Lion Street, HR3 5AA
The Haymaker’s Gallery – Fabulous little gallery offering an eclectic mix of work – St. John’s Place, HR3 5BN
HAY CASTLE
A medieval fortification and 17th century mansion house originally constructed as part of the Norman invasion of Wales. It is now under restoration until 2020.
HORSERIDING
Bryngwyn Riding Centre – about 5 miles away from Hay-on-Wye, offers riding lessons for riders of all ages and abilities form 5 years old up. From ½ hour led-rein sessions on quiet ponies to 1,2 hour and all days hacks for competent riders. Bryngwyn, Kington, Worcestershire HR5 3QN, it is recommended you call ahead to book on 01497 851 669
Llangorse Multi-Activity Centre (see above) also offers horse-riding for children aged 4 and above.
Treygoyd Mountain Ridges – Horse-riding and Pony Trekking in the Brecon Beacons National Park – Cadarn Bunkhouse, Felindre, LD3 0TB Tel: 01497 847 351,
HEALTH CLUB
Gym and Tonic Health Club – metabolic classes, fusion classes and seminars on lifestyle – Tel: 0497822995, 10 broad Street, HR3 5DB
MARKETS
Every Thursday there is a local market that has been going for 700 years. Featuring around 35 stalls offering local produce, handmade artisan produce, homemade cakes, vintage items and more. Located in Memorial Square, the Butter Market, Cheese Market and around the Clock Tower. There are smaller markets running on Fridays and Saturdays in the Cheese Market and Butter Market. Information on markets.
WALKS The Warren – only a few minutes walk from town is a lovely, easy walk along the River Wye. Follow the sign by the church. The ‘Beach’ is an area of stone by the river where you can have a picnic and swim and there are shallow areas for young children to splash around. There are, of course, magnificent walks everywhere in the Brecon Beacons National Park.
BOOKSHOPS
There are too many bookshops to list but here are a few that are a little different!
Hay Cinema Bookshop - Hay’s oldest and one of its biggest bookshops, this converted cinema is packed with books on all manner of obscure subjects and an antiquarian department and foreign-language titles.
Murder & Mayhem -A specialist bookshop with a body outline on the floor filled with detective fiction, true crime and horror.
Rose’s Books – A lovely little store specializing in rare children’s and illustrated books.
BUTCHERS
CJ Gibbons – a traditional, family run butchers since 1984. Quality, locally-sourced meats. Also has a fantastic delicatessen with cheeses, olives, patés, homemade pies, prepared salads and ready meals. 7 Castle Street, HR3 5DF
CAKES
Baked with Love at Pippa’s Pantry – cakes and catering for special occasions – pippaspantry@aol.com, Tel: 07758 130083
CHURCHES
St. Mary’s (Anglican) – St. Mary’s road, HR3 5EB Saint Joseph Catholic Church – Sunday Mass 9am, weekday mass Thurs 11am - 4 Belmont Road, HR3 4DA GARAGE Lion Garage – Unit 2 Enterprise Park, Forest Road, HR3 5DS, Tel: 01497 820586, www.lion-garage.com, office@lion-garage.com Orion Motors – Hay Road, Talgarth, LD3 0AW, Tel: 01874 711 117
GIFTS
Mostly Maps – Exquisite antiquarian maps and illustrative plates – 2 Castle Street, HR3 5DF Rawhide – Lovely well-chosen gifts, mostly small items such as jewellery, mugs and bags – 4 Lion Street, HR3 5AA
The Fudge Shop – Gorgeous sweet shop with delicious handmade fudge – The Craft Centre, Oxford Road HR3 5DG
RESTAURANTS
Blue Boar Pub - Local fare, good quality Welsh and British food, vegetarian friendly. Tel: 01497 820884, Castle Street - HR3 5DF
Chapters Restaurant - Very high-quality contemporary British and Welsh food – Tel: 07855 783799, Lion Street HR3 5AA
Conservative Club - Good fish and chips and a great value Sunday lunch – Tel: 01497 820402, 35 Lion Street, HR3 5AB
Granary - A British café serving breakfast, lunch and brunch, good for a coffee or a quick bite – Tel:01497 820790, 20-21 Broad Street, HR3 5DB
Off Grid Gourmet - Fantastic British food with lovely ambience and very good reviews – Tel: 07538 037770, Walkers Cottage Parks Road, Locksters Lane HR3 5HQ
Red Indigo - Great Indian food – Tel: 01497 821999, 10 Castle Street HR3 5DF
Restaurant at Old Black Lion - Very popular British and Welsh pub fare, they have vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options – Tel: 01497 820842, 26 Lion Street HR3 5AD
Richard Booth’s Bookshop Café - located inside a fantastic bookshop. A simple but good menu – Tel: 01497 820322, 44 Lion Street HR3 5AA
Shepherds Parlour - A very popular café with an amazing selection of ice cream – Tel: 01497 8218989 High Town HR35AE
Three Tuns - A historical pub dating back to the early 16th century, with local cuisine plus pizza and pasta – Tel: 01497 821855, 4 Broad Street HR3 5DB
Tomatitos Tapas Bar - Mediterranean and Spanish/Catalan menu of home-cooked small dishes – Tel: 01497 820772, 28 Lion Street HR3 5AA
The Bridge Inn - Nice spot beside the Escley Brook – Tel: 01981 510646, Bridge Inn HR2 0JW
The Old Electric Shop - Lots of vegetarian and vegan options at this healthy café – Tel: 01497 821194, 10 Broad Street, HR3 5DB
The Salad Project - Reasonably-priced and healthy vegetarian food – Tel: 01497 820647, 1 Lion Street HR3 5AA