Hay-on-Wye facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hay-on-Wye
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 A second-hand bookshop |
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 Hay-on-Wye
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| Population | 1,598 (2011) |
| OS grid reference | SO225425 |
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| Principal area | |
| Ceremonial county | |
| Country | Wales |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | HEREFORD |
| Postcode district | HR3 |
| Dialling code | 01497 |
| Police | Dyfed-Powys |
| Fire | Mid and West Wales |
| Ambulance | Welsh |
| EU Parliament | Wales |
| UK Parliament |
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| Welsh Assembly |
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Hay-on-Wye (Welsh: Y Gelli Gandryll or just Y Gelli) is a small market town in Wales. It is often called "Hay" for short. Hay-on-Wye is famous for its many bookshops. It is known as "the town of books" and is home to the yearly Hay Festival.
In 1841, about 1,455 people lived in the town. By 1901, this number grew to 1,680. The town's size has not changed much since then. In 2018, about 1,900 people lived there. If you include the nearby village of Cusop, the population is around 2,000.
Contents
- Where is Hay-on-Wye Located?
- What Does the Name Hay Mean?
- A Look Back at Hay-on-Wye's History
- Hay-on-Wye: The Town of Books
- How Hay-on-Wye is Governed
- Getting Around Hay-on-Wye
- Other Fun Things to Do in Hay
- Important Buildings in Hay
- Hay-on-Wye's Twin Towns
- The King of Hay-on-Wye
- Images for kids
- See also
Where is Hay-on-Wye Located?
Hay-on-Wye is on the south-east side of the River Wye. It is in the north-eastern part of the Brecon Beacons National Park. The town is also just north of the Black Mountains.
Hay-on-Wye sits right on the border between Wales and England. The Dulas Brook forms part of this border. Where the brook meets the River Wye, the border follows the river north. The closest big city is Hereford, which is about 22 miles (35 km) to the east. Even though Hay is in Wales, its postal address is English. This is because its mail office is linked to Hereford.
What Does the Name Hay Mean?
The name "Hay" comes from an old English word, hæg. This word likely meant "fenced area" or an enclosed space in a forest.
The Welsh name for the town is Gelli. This word can mean different types of wooded areas. Both names might have been used at the same time long ago.
A Look Back at Hay-on-Wye's History
Hay-on-Wye has two Norman castles close to each other. The first castle was probably built around 1070 by William Fitz Osbern. He was a Norman lord who came to Wales.
The First Castle: A Small Fort
Near St Mary's Church in Hay-on-Wye, you can find a small, well-kept motte. A motte is a large mound of earth. This spot was good for a castle because it looked over a gorge and a small stream. This small fort was likely built by William Revel, a knight.
The Stone Castle: Hay Castle
The main castle in Hay-on-Wye was built on a strong spot overlooking the town and river. This was likely the "castello de haia" given to Miles of Gloucester in 1121. It might be the oldest Norman tower in Wales.
The castle changed hands many times over the years. In 1231, Prince Llywelyn burned the town of Hay-on-Wye, but the castle survived. The castle was also used during the Barons' War from 1263 to 1266. It was captured three times during this period.
Around 1401, the town and castle were damaged by forces led by Owain Glyndŵr. The castle was later repaired. In the 1660s, a new mansion was built next to the castle. Much of the old castle wall was taken down to make better views. Today, this mansion is used as a second-hand bookshop.
What's Left of the Castle Today?
The castle's main tower, called the keep, is about 30 feet (9 meters) square. It used to have four floors. The corners of the tower have been rebuilt many times.
A strong curtain wall with a gate was added around the 12th century. This gate is one of the most beautifully carved castle gateways in Wales. It is similar to the detailed work at Newcastle near Bridgend. The two gates hanging in the doorway are very old.
Later, a small tower was added in front of the gateway. This made it a proper gatehouse with a portcullis. A portcullis is a heavy gate that can be lowered to block the entrance.
Hay-on-Wye also has a Victorian clock tower. There is another identical clock tower in Knighton, Powys.
Hay-on-Wye: The Town of Books
Hay-on-Wye is a very popular place for people who love books. It still has about two dozen bookshops. Many of these shops sell special and second-hand books.
The town became known for its books thanks to Richard Booth. He opened his first bookshop there in 1962. By the 1970s, Hay was famous as "The Town of Books."
The Hay Festival
Since 1988, Hay-on-Wye has hosted a yearly literary festival. This event brings in about 80,000 visitors over ten days in late May or early June. Famous writers from all over the world come to speak and share their ideas.
The festival was started by Norman, Rhoda, and Peter Florence in 1988. Former US President Bill Clinton once called it "The Woodstock of the mind." The festival helps the local economy a lot. In 2019, it was reported to have brought in £83 million for the town over ten years.
In earlier years, the festival was held in different places around Hay. In 2005, it moved to one main location on the west side of town.
How Hay-on-Wye is Governed
Hay-on-Wye is a Welsh "community" with its own Town Council. The Town Council has a Mayor, a Deputy Mayor, and eight councillors. These people help make decisions for the town.
Hay also takes part in choosing a councillor for the larger Powys County Council.
Getting Around Hay-on-Wye
The B4350 road goes through the town. The B4351 road connects it to the main A438 road. This road goes from Brecon to Hereford, on the other side of the River Wye.
Hay-on-Wye used to have a train station. However, train services stopped in 1963. Today, there is a bus service that links Hay to Brecon and Hereford.
Other Fun Things to Do in Hay
Hay-on-Wye used to have a golf club, but it closed during World War 2.
The town's football team is called Hay St. Mary's. They play in the Spar Mid Wales League First Division.
In 2017, Hay was named one of the best places to live in Wales.
HowTheLightGetsIn Festival
Hay also hosts a big festival about philosophy and music called HowTheLightGetsIn. It happens every May and attracts over 30,000 visitors. The festival aims to bring philosophy out of schools and into people's lives. It brings together thinkers, writers, comedians, and musicians. They have debates, talks, music, workshops, and parties.
Many famous people have spoken at the festival, like Noam Chomsky and Philip Pullman. Music groups like Clean Bandit and Hot Chip have also performed.
Important Buildings in Hay
Hay has almost 150 buildings that are "listed." This means they are important and protected. These include the Castle, St Mary's church, and the Swan Hotel. Many of the old inns and shops in the town centre are also listed.
The Butter Market was built in 1833. The Cheese Market was built in 1835. Both are on the site of an older market house from the 1600s.
Cockcroft House was once a workhouse, built in 1837. The Harley Almshouses were built in 1836 to help people in need.
Oakfield is a beautiful old house built around 1820.
Hay-on-Wye's Twin Towns
Hay-on-Wye is "twinned" with two other places:
- Redu, a village in Belgium.
- Timbuktu, a city in Mali, West Africa.
The King of Hay-on-Wye
On April 1, 1977, a book lover named Richard Booth did something funny. He declared Hay-on-Wye an "independent kingdom." He made himself the king! This was a publicity stunt, but it helped make Hay-on-Wye famous. It brought many tourists who loved books.
In 2005, Richard Booth planned to sell his bookshop. A local politician said that Booth's actions changed Hay. It went from a small market town to a popular place for second-hand book lovers. This really helped the local economy.
Images for kids
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The Cheese Market (and former town hall on the first floor)
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Hay Festival welcome sign 2016
See also
In Spanish: Hay-on-Wye para niños
